THE GAP YEAR’: ADOLESCENT INDULGENCE, OR A VALUABLE LIFE EXPERIENCE?

Taking a year off after school may not put your child in the pound seats’, but it could provide valuable life lessons

- SAUL KROPMAN

IT SEEMS like just yesterday your little darlings were in diapers. Now they're finishing high school and talking about spending the next year overseas in order to "discover" themselves.

Being the sensible parent that you are, the thought of sending your baby on an experimental 'journey of self-discovery' doesn't seem appealing. All you want for your child is to spend the next four years working hard to become an accountant-yet they will have none of that! Children might quote the need to 'discover themselves' as a reason to take a gap year, but most parents (realistically) feel that their children can discover themselves quite well in the comfort of their own home.

However, if you want to be considered a cool, hip parent, take a look at the opportunities related to a gap year, which will hopefully ease your mind.

Firstly, self-discovery is one thing, but bear in mind that when your child is overseas, they're going to be working in menial jobs for minimum wage. Every person I've spoken to, who has been on a gap year, has had an epiphany as a minimum-wage worker.