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With Massachusetts schools closed
for the rest of the academic year,working parents find themselves
pondering the same question: How can I keep my children
entertained and up-to-date on their schoolworkall while working
from home?
If youre a parent facing the
prospect of keeping up with your career and homeschooling at the
same time, here are a few helpful tips on making it work.
Set a schedule.
Whether your child is in pre-school or high school, theyre no
doubt accustomed to being on a schedule inside the walls of their
school. To help alleviate the stress of having their routines
turned upside down, write the days schedule in a highly visible and
highly trafficked place in your homeor
use devices powered by Alexa or Google to set
reminders. Discuss which tasks are expected to be done
independently, without much or any adult help, and which may need a
collaborative effort. Encourage suggestions from all family members
about how to make things go even more smoothly the following day.
Among other things, this sets clear expectations.
Take breaks.
Think about how your kids spend their time in a more
conventional school setting. Are they really doing hours of
academic work each day? Probably not. Take into account transitions
from class to class, the time it takes a teacher to work with
twenty studentsversus one, and the time your childrenspend in
recess, gym, and lunch. Tailor theirschedule and workload to what
works for your family, and be sure to take breaks: grab a snack,
cup of coffee, or a breath of fresh air with your child to break up
your day. Studies show that taking breaks helps our
brains perform better.
Lean on virtual assistance.
Managing screen time is a point of contention when it comes to
the age of your child,but in these times, its important to get help
from where you can. Let people like renowned childrens author and
artist Mo Willems teach an art
class, or call on Les Mills to proctor a gym
class. There are also a plethora of worksheets
available from Lakeshore
Learning to keep the activities going while you get
your own work done.
Mix it up.
Schedules and a catalog of resources are great, but
variety will keep your learners engaged and stave off the
much-maligned sentiment of, Im bored. Talk to your child and
determine whats workingand whats notbefore venturing out of comfort
zones. Is your child an avid reader? Try Oxford Owl to foster some alone-time with
an age-tailored story. Looking for a more hands-on task? Make
organizing socks, toys, pencils, or the pantry into a game.
Keep it realistic.
At the end of the day, you have to do whats best for
you and your family and that means you cant guarantee anything. Be
realistic, not pessimistic. This can help you emotionally prepare
for when your children push back. Give yourself and your kids space
and grace to adjust to your new lifestyle, and try not to live in a
world of absolutesif a schedule that has treated you well falls
apart for a few days, dont fret! Breathe, prioritize, give your
child a big hug, and do the best you can. Some days will be harder,
but some days will feel easier, too.
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