Switching from working in an office to working at home can be a big adjustment. Working from home with children can make that adjustment even more challenging.
I was looking forward to remote learning ending in June and leaving my “teacher” job behind me. However, I quickly realized that the structure we had for remote learning was gone, as well as the activities. Quickly, the “I’m bored” chants began, and I realized I had another transition to face.
I want to share some things that have worked for us. I realize each family’s situation is different, but hopefully you can find something to help ease the pressure.
Don’t be afraid to tell a half-truth. A friend of mine gets dressed each day, grabs her laptop bag and packed lunch, and bolts out the front door. Then she goes to the back of the house and climbs in through her back door. Myself, I’ve driven down the street and parked in the library parking lot using their strong WiFi signal. And don’t worry – my husband was home with the kids. Get creative and attempt to be out of sight and out of mind. (Note: Mileage may vary depending on the age of the child.)
Ask for help. Bring in a friend or family member, or hire a sitter to stand guard against interruptions. Better yet, have the new caretaker install SEMCOG’s ParkFinder® app on their phone and send them on a day of expending their energy while exploring our great parks in Southeast Michigan.
If you have a partner at home also working remotely, discuss work schedules as a team the night before and come up with a game plan for the next day. And an older child can help look after a younger sibling for short periods of time while gaining some marketable babysitting skills and experience.
Let them be. Help them cultivate freedom and independence by learning how to entertain themselves with books, crafts, seeding a garden, or playing in the backyard. Fill a snack basket so they can help themselves and not rely on you for everything. And encourage their skill in the kitchen while they make their own sandwich for lunch.
Lighten up. Wait, where were we? I was writing this and then my son was demanding a cardboard box for a craft project. He flexed his independence muscles and tried to find one on his own, and now a week’s worth of recycling is spread out on the kitchen floor. This is a messy time. I’ve had to cut myself some slack over the cleanliness of the house, weeds in the garden, and the kids’ extra screen time. This is temporary, and it’s okay to shift the rules.
Share what works for you. We’re all in this together. If something has worked for you, please share it!
Leave a Reply