Although some schools have opened their doors this year despite the pandemic, many are choosing to open virtually. This means many parents are working at home alongside their children.
And kids are great! We all love our children. But that doesn’t mean it’s always easy to work while they are at home. Helping the kids with their school work, while trying to do your work as well can be a major distraction. Here are some tips to successfully work with your kids at home during COVID-19.
- Create a routine and stick to it.
This is especially important for younger children. As noted by YaleMedicine, schedules are important for children.
“The disruption of routines and schedules can be stress-inducing to children,” says Eli Lebowitz, PhD, director of the Child Study Center’s Program for Anxiety Disorders, adding that sticking to healthy habits is also important. “You don’t want to sleep until ‘whenever,’ not get dressed, or eat in an unregulated way,” he says. “This isn’t one big vacation, because that would make returning to regular life eventually all the more difficult.”
You don’t need to mimic the school schedule to the letter, but you want to have a set schedule. For example, wake up at 8:00, begin lessons at 9:00, eat a healthy lunch at 12:00, etc. If your child is learning remotely, build your schedule around whatever the school offers.
- Take breaks.
When you’re building that schedule for your child, make sure to designate time for breaks and physical activity. It’s important for kids to let off steam.
Outdoor play is great, but if that isn’t an option, consider dancing to favorite songs, playing hide-and-go-seek, or investing in a few hula hoops.
- Use screens for good.
Although kids are going to be spending more time on screens due to online schooling, you can ensure that the screen time is as healthy as possible. Ask teachers about educational websites and games your kid can use. Self-isolation can also be, well, isolating, and your kid probably misses their friends. See if you can arrange video meetings with their peers.
- Consider finding childcare.
If you find that most of your time is being taken up by your own work, think about asking a relative to help keep an eye out on the kids. You can discuss your child’s schedule with them and work together to make this experience as healthy as possible for your kids.
Are you working from home with your kids? What tips do you have to share for others? Let us know in the comments section below!
