We know that many working parents who are also teaching their kids at home due to COVID-19 are struggling. Here are some recommendations to help you succeed when the family is working and going to school at home together:
Assessment: Account for the amount of work you have (full-time or part-time) and the time investment required to schooling your children, including your available resources. Assessing your situation will help you identify what you can and cannot do.
Plan and Take Action: Once you have assessed the situation, the next step is to plan and take action. Planning will help you organize your goals, whether it be daily, weekly, or monthly. Bear in mind that you should be flexible with your to-do-list (within reason), as there will be unpredictable scenarios that alter your plans. Before the week starts, create a list for the entire week, including everyone’s schedules for work, school, chores, sleep, and leisure.
Assistance: Depending on whether you are a single parent, have more than one child, or if you have an inflexible work schedule, measure how much aid is needed. You cannot and should not force yourself to do it all on your own. Don’t be afraid to ask your partner, family, or others for help. Remember that there are resources available to you, including tutoring and homework help, accessible through the school and community. Avoid trying to do your work and help with their school simultaneously. Don’t be afraid to leave your older children to attend their class or do their homework while working. You can check it after you’re done or when you take a break.
Teamwork: Chores can be done either daily or weekly so that they will not pile up. Parents often take undue burdens on themselves, such as managing all of their work and housework on their own. Don’t forget that you can delegate housework to your children, even the little ones. Doing so helps them build essential life skills as they learn to take care of themselves. Of course, you should be mindful to task children with age-appropriate chores.
Leisure: Allotting some of your spare time for relaxation will help you guard against burn-out. Working consistently without proper rest is known to result in a host of problems, including poor work performance and relationships problems. Ensuring that you make some “me-time” and “we-time” once a week will help you destress and recharge. Pick some activities that you like to do that help you unwind. This can be reading, being outdoors, playing video games, watching TV, etc.
Above all else, make sure that you actively emphasize and cultivate your capacity for patience in your daily life. Life will throw lots of curveballs at you, and it is important not to rush ahead to solve them but take them in stride and work toward thoughtful solutions.
We are collectively going through a difficult time. However, remember that our parents, grandparents, and those even further back experienced a host of problems in the past. They were able to pull through it. Just as they did before us, we too will succeed and thrive during this challenging time and as we move into the future.
We’re here to support you and your family during these unsettling times. We have 27 specialties to care for you and your family, including Pediatrics and Behavioral Health. Call us to schedule an appointment and make The Corvallis Clinic your first choice for health care.
