As more people transition to a work from home environment, the added mission of looking after the kids while working has become a staunch reality.
Parents across the globe are finding themselves doubling as their children’s primary educator while schools close their doors.
It’s a balancing act but one that can be achieved with some planning and a few deep breaths. We’ve sourced some tried and tested methods to ease the stress starting with a guide on how to work from home like a pro.
Plan some activities
Having some sort of normality in these turbulent times can assist in creating a productive environment. Many households are adopting a scheduled approach including time for schooling, breaks, chores and meals for the family to follow. Every household is different so adopt a style that works best for you and remember to be flexible. Some ideas on how to create a successful schedule include:
- Let each family member have a turn at suggesting an activity they would like to do each day.
- Have themed movie nights.
- Make your list of activities for the week visible, use a blackboard or butcher’s paper to hang it for everyone to see.
- At dinner time, go around the table and share with each other what you are grateful for or the best part of their day.
- Try and get up and go to bed the same times you did prior to working from home.
- Some businesses that taught after-school dance or art are offering online classes that can be followed from home so check with teachers if this an available option.
Communicate
Communicating your current situation and expectations to those around you is one thing you can control to make your life a whole lot easier. Whether it’s by Skype, phone or email, keep people in the loop.
Set some time to discuss your situation with your manager including work-load expectations and any roadblocks that may come along the way. Working together and being transparent is going to ease the stress and make it a better process for all involved because let’s face it, not everything goes to plan!
Apps and resources
There’s plenty of apps and resources to help manage your work-life-teaching-parenting balance.
- A list of educational subscription sites offering free access – http://www.amazingeducationalresources.com/
- BrainPop, free classes on a variety of topics for kids – https://www.brainpop.com/
- Kids ToDo List is an app that uses picture cards to motivate kids to complete their daily activities
- Canva is great for older kids who want to jazz up their presentation and assignments with impressive design skills
- ABC Education has a range of videos and resources on valuable topics for all learning ages
Support each other
It’s a lot to manage and can feel overwhelming but it’s important to remember that you are not in this alone. Break up the day and make time to be social with other friends and family, especially members who may be in the same position. Jump online and see what support groups are available and make it your mission to join their next meeting.
Don’t be so hard on yourself
One of the biggest problems is overthinking and over researching the best ways to home school. These are unprecedented times, you need to believe in yourself, go with what feels right and stop being your biggest critic. You’ve got this!
On a positive note
Enjoy the time with your kids. Try and make the most of the situation and do things together you may not have had the time to do before. It’s a juggling act that can be achieved with a bit of flexibility and imagination.
