Kids Need A Designated Driver Too

Labour Weekend signals the start of the social summer season in New Zealand. 

The weather gets warmer, Christmas festivities and holiday planning begins – present shopping, menu setting, bach bookings, summer slim down programmes…longer evenings, barbeques, plenty of fine wine and food – it's a good time!

Just as you plan a designated driver and practice host responsibility, keep in mind that children need to be supervised at all times but a sober and responsible adult too. This is extremely important near water and roads, but hot barbeques, unfenced parks and unfamiliar surroundings all pose potential dangers.

Child Matters chief executive, Anthea Simcock, a Hamilton-based national child advocacy organisation says it is important that if your children are staying away from home, you know where they will be, and more who else will be there. Find out if any other guests will be present.

“If children are present at a party or social occasion, remind guests to keep alcoholic beverages, cigarettes and lighters out of reach of children. And it also means considering your behaviour – what may be a fun party trick for an adult, may not be safe or appropriate for children to mimic,” she says.

Children rarely get a say in their parent's social planning, but a good plan will make a social gathering more fun – happy children are bettter behaved, relaxed and in turn, the parents can enjoy themselves too!

Here are some other ways to plan ahead for children:

If you are likely to be eating later than usual, feed them something substantial before you go out, or pack plenty of snacks. 'Transportable' dinners like quiche, sushi or wraps can form part of a valuable contribution to a meal and can be fed to children before an adult's meal, preventing grizzling, hungry small people.

Make sure your children are having regular drinks of water – parties often have 'treat drinks' like juice or soft drink, which do not quench thirst and can hype some children up. If you take the child's own drink bottle, they can be more independent.

Be sunsmart, even in the evening. Sitting on a sheltered deck with the sun beating down can quickly cause a minor sunburn. Apply sunscreen, even in the late afternoon.

Pack pyjamas and your child's favourite sleepy toy, if there is a chance late afternoon drinks will stretch on into the evening – if you aren't ready to go home, at least they can tuck up somewhere and doze off. 

Take activites for your children if you are going somewhere that may not be well set up for them. Quiet activities like drawing, a board game or book are ideal, as is a firsbee or ba if you are outdoors.

Always supervise children near water. Under fives should be within arm's reach and be present whenever older children are swimming.

Kids deserve to enjoy the social season just as much as the adults. If your gathering isn't going to be child friendly, book their favourite babysitter and stock up on movies – win-win! 

Register to participate: www.buddyday.org.nz