How to survive working from home and home schooling is something most working parents are keen to know. Especially after the PM announced another lockdown last Monday.
Because of the rising number of the COVID-19 cases in the UK. Children are no longer in school and parents have to do the job of homeschooling.
Teaching the kids while you work can be stressful! It doesn’t get any easier even though we have been there and done that.
If like me, you work full time while teaching your kids. You are probably wondering how to juggle your job and home schooling AGAIN? Or how to keep everyone healthy, happy and motivated AGAIN?
As a busy working parent who regularly juggles work and family life. I try to equip myself with information, tools and resources to enable me maintain a good work life balance.
I’m super excited to share 7 helpful tips I discovered on my path to achieving working from home and homeschooling success.
Speak To Your Employers About Flexible Working From Home Arrangements
Most employers are now familiar with work from home and home schooling.
However speak to your employer and remind them about your child care responsibilities.
Consider an early start, a later finish, an extended lunchtime or even unpaid leave to help you juggle both roles.
Ensure you log how many hours you have worked and communicate with your employer if you cannot achieve your agreed hours.
Consider Your Family Circumstances
If you are a two-parent household, agree on different roles and responsibilities so you can both support each other.
If you are a single parent be realistic about your expectations. Use whatever support you have available. For example, if you have multiple children of varying ages. Perhaps an older child can support a younger one with reading while you are on the phone.
Consider seeking virtual support from your support network. Or home schooling help from a virtual tutor.
The BBC is currently offering lockdown learning for primary and secondary school-aged children on TV, iplayer and online. This is to support online learning and is available for all children to access.
If you are a critical worker or your child falls into the vulnerable category. Check if your child is eligible to access school.
Consider The Age And Understanding Of Your Child
Be mindful that all children learn differently and some may get easily distracted. Younger children have a shorter attention span and would require a higher level of supervision.
The younger the child the more difficult it is to juggle both roles.
Therefore, consider less traditional methods of learning which your child can do independently. For example, coloring or educational activities that are fun.
There are lots of free online resources such as BBC Bite size, purple mash and BBC Teach for free.
Schedule a working from home and home schooling daily routine
Surviving working from home and homeschool requires planning. Waking up and getting dressed is beneficial for our mental health, especially during the COVID19 pandemic.
Having a daily routine has mental health benefits and helps to boost productivity. A daily routine can also be a visual aid for the kids to see what to expect from their day.
Our daily routine comprises set bed times, exercise, meals and school/work.
I also create a work routine by scheduling all my work meetings and appointments on my electronic calendar. In addition, I have a to do list that I refer to throughout the day. This also helps to keep me on track.
Make a meal plan
Devise a weekly meal planner comprising easy healthy recipes. In addition, consider batch-cooking meals to freeze.
I usually plan for meals that the children can help themselves to. My older girls can both make easy meals and use the microwave to heat up already cooked food.
Food played an important role in our family during the first lockdown. I wanted to recreate this because it offered many opportunities for us to sit down as a family to reflect on our day.
Look after your physical and mental wellbeing
Research suggests that regular exercise is beneficial to our physical and mental well-being. I cannot overemphasise the health benefits of exercise. Therefore, try to schedule walks or indoor work out as part of your daily routine.
Have a dedicated workspace which helps to boost productivity as it allows everyone to focus on the task ahead. Our dining room is the dedicated workspace with a space for each person to work.
I have the space to myself as soon as the children finish their schoolwork. I would recommend investing in an office chair. Leaning on the dinning table throughout the day, will give you some backache.
Also take regular breaks to rest your eyes and check in with the kids.
Prepare For the Unexpected When Home Schooling
Plan to engage your child appropriately when you are on the phone or attending a virtual meeting. Ensure you have a structured activity or age appropriate online game for younger children.
Let your children know you are in a meeting. Use your mute button or a headset during virtual meetings to keep out any background noise.
However, in the event things do not go according to plan, do not despise. I am sure we can all relate to tales of epic fails during this lockdown. Simply apologize and move on!
Conclusion
Working from home while home schooling the kids requires organisation, hard work and dedication. Every day will be slightly different.
Remember to celebrate your success and do not feel defeated when things do not go to plan.
Above all, be kind to yourself and others during these difficult and unprecedented times.
