Are your children home?
Are you working from home?
Are you working from home?
Are you trying to keep the children from driving you crazy while you try to work from home?
Are you going stir crazy?
Welcome to our tribe!
If you've been developing a whole new respect for teachers and learning how challenging "home schooling" really is,
I definitely don't have all the answers, but I do have some ideas for survival!
Yes, we're all stuck at home, but the kiddos need to understand this is a totally new experience: Everyone in the country has to stay 6 feet or more away from each other. This is unexplored territory! Teachers are desperately trying to figure out how to do "distant learning" and "remote learning" and parents and caretakers are trying to make it all happen. Talk to them, let them know it's all OK, and we're all learning how to do it. Mistakes will happen, and we will deal the best we can.
They're going to have a great story to tell their grandchildren someday! (I've heard this referred to this generation's "walked two miles to school in a snowstorm" story!)
This is probably the most important thing to do in order to maintain you own sanity and help the children survive. It wouldn't hurt to write out the schedule and post it where the children can see it.
Things to schedule: meals, getting showered and dressed, school work, outdoor time, down time, social time (phone or skype), reading, exercise, and special projects. I'm sure you can think of more. Children need predictability. They also need novelty, which can seem conflicting, but necessary. Once in a while, it's ok to break the schedule, but only with the understanding that it's a special case. For example, maybe you can pick one day of the week to hang out in jammies all day!
This one is going to be a tough one! Between so many distance learning programs coming from schools, activities that the children love online, games, movies, TV, and let's admit it, sometimes the best way to get anything done is to place them in front of the screen. These are all going to happen, but remember, it's not in their best interest to do this too often. Set strict guidelines for their screen time into the daily schedule, and be firm! There are plenty of things they can do that don't involve a screen! (Hint: help with housework and meals!)
This is baffling to children. They can't see many of the people they care about (teachers, friends, extended family) and they deserve to understand why.
A good start might be to brainstorm how many things they touch during the day, followed by a conversation about how germs travel. If they seem anxious about the virus, acknowledge their feelings, but assure them that we will stop the virus by staying apart for a while until the virus dies out. Then we can see our friends again.
It's not easy to talk about it, especially if you have anxiety about the virus as well, but be strong, they need you!
If you're trying to work from home, it's important to communicate this. Typically, "mom or dad at home" means fun time, but they need to know you need your uninterrupted time.
Depending on how young the kiddos are, make sure there are times you ARE available to give them attention, and that they respect those times you are not available.
You may feel you need to keep them entertained, or that you're failing if they get bored, but science tell us that creativity happens when children get bored! If they have nothing to do, they have to create something to do! Be sure they have supplies that lead to creativity, such as paper, pencils, glue, scissors, and even paint. Of course, anything in the recycling bin is free game!
You may be pleasantly surprised with their solution to boredom!
Just a reminder: boredom is NOT an excuse to avoid schoolwork!
I know how hard it is to remain positive when you're frustrated and exhausted! But you're the adult. You can scream and cry (or other, more socially acceptable means of letting off steam) when they're asleep, but while they are watching you, it's important that you continue to smile and be positive in front of them.
Be firm when they need to do school work, and be there for them when they need it.
I know, it's hard, but they need you to be positive.
Your children are precious. This may seem like a terrible burden, and a terrifying situation.
But it's also a gift. It's extra time with your children.
Enjoy them!
Here's an informational brochure with lots of information:
