Lightbridge Academy

<p>The coronavirus pandemic has shifted the lives of families across the country. As schools closed and more companies shifted to a work-from-home model, parents have had to balance the demands of family and work simultaneously. Houses are no longer just gathering places for families — they now also serve as daycares, schools, cafeterias and even gyms.&nbsp;</p><p>Indeed, working parents have received a crash course in balancing work and family in an unexpected way.&nbsp; As some offices open back up, others will stay closed for a while, and experts are warning about a second surge of the pandemic in the fall, so working and caring for a family at home certainly could become a more regular reality than ever before. The good news is that there are many ways to fine-tune the work-from-home life so that everyone can maintain their sanity.</p><p>Here are just a few tips that will make home life easier on everyone:&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><h3>Acknowledge the Difficulties</h3><p>COVID-19 has been difficult for a lot of people, and there is no shame in acknowledging this. Working parents should embrace this fact and admit that they likely won’t be able to be as productive as they were when they worked in an office. It’s challenging to balance childcare with work. This is nothing to be ashamed of.</p><h3>Create a Fluid Monday Through Friday Routine</h3><p>Families will thrive when they create some semblance of a routine, especially Monday through Friday. (Weekends can still be for fun and for sleeping in.) This means getting up around the same time, having breakfast around the same time, starting emails around the same time and so forth. Likewise, children can enjoy free playtime during the same time slot every day. This helps everyone have some semblance of structure throughout the day. Remember, children, especially younger ones, have no sense of time, but they do have a sense of sequence, so it’s important they continue to have a routine to expect how their day will go.&nbsp;</p><h3>Be Strategic About Screen Time</h3><p>While too much screen time can be mentally and even physically draining, working parents cannot escape it. This is officially the age of Zoom meetings and other virtual conferences. And while studies have shown that children should have their own screen time limited, the truth is that, when used wisely, screens can be incredibly valuable. Parents can strategically align their children’s screen time with their own for minimal work interruptions. Do you have a weekly check-in with your boss? Consider putting on a fun movie or TV show that will keep the children entertained during that time slot. This will help you feel more accomplished and give the children something to look forward to.&nbsp;</p><h3>Embrace the Disarray</h3><p>Everyone loves a clean home, but parents who are especially particular about keeping everything perfect will need to understand that it’s simply not going to happen right now. Homes now have multiple uses. As such, there will be occasional messes. Embrace this as much as you can. That being said, space-permitting, designate an area or room of the house as Mom and/or Dad Territory and create a strict rule about not allowing children in it. Having a designated space for yourself that is organized to your standards will go a long way in preserving your — and, by extension, your family’s — sanity.&nbsp;</p><h3>Create an Office Space for Everyone</h3><p>Children love to emulate. Parents can use this to their advantage by creating an office space that will help everyone get into work mode. Mothers and fathers can set up workspaces for themselves and workspaces for their children. The children’s workspaces can contain coloring materials, tape and even Post-its, and they can use these items to pretend they’re working alongside their parents. Parents who want to get even more creative (and old-school) can even purchase age-appropriate desktop calculators, including those that print, and let their children play with those.&nbsp;</p><h3>Make Snacks Easy To Reach</h3><p>Depending on their comfort level with this, parents can consider putting ready-to-eat snacks on the lower levels of the refrigerator or other easy-to-reach spots. Doing so can help make for less interruptions and help stave off hunger until mealtimes.&nbsp;</p><h3>Practice Self-Care</h3><p>These are difficult times, which is why it’s more crucial than ever for parents to practice self-care. Make sure to find some time for yourself. Once the children are asleep, sit outside on your deck or settle down for some TV that doesn’t involve cartoons. Try to get in some exercise, whether that’s doing weights or stretching out on a yoga mat. Taking some “me time” will help stave off stress.</p><h3>Practice Gratitude</h3><p>As hard as it is to balance work and family right now, consider reasons to be grateful. Celebrate the fact that you have a job when so many people are currently unemployed. Be glad you have a home to look after. Most of all, enjoy this extra time with your children. This is truly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to spend time together and get creative while enjoying each other’s company. And don’t worry too much about academic success. The entire world is being affected right now, and everyone will catch up one way or another.&nbsp;</p><h3>Have Fun!&nbsp;</h3><p>Something as simple as using blankets to create a fort or having an indoor picnic can be fun ways for families to spend quality time together. Create a treasure hunt around the house for toys. Older children can try cooking new recipes with their parents and learn how to make children favorites, such as pizza. Families can also enjoy the warmer weather in their backyards or by taking strolls in their neighborhoods. There is nothing like fresh air to clear the mind and heal the body.&nbsp;</p><p>No one can deny that this is a difficult time for families, which is why everyone needs to work hard to look on the bright side of things. By acknowledging that this is a stressful and difficult time, embracing at least a little bit of chaos and finding creative ways to have fun, working parents will be able to balance work and caring for their families.</p>

Tips to Balance Parenting and Job Responsibilities While Working From Home

1851 Franchise

Lightbridge Academy President and COO Gigi Schweikert has several tips for parents who are juggling both professional and family responsibilities as they work from home.

This brand page has been paid for by LIGHTBRIDGE ACADEMY. Content within this page that is paid will showcase a Sponsored icon. This means the brand has engaged 1851 FRANCHISE to write the content. Content without the Sponsored Icon is aggregated media placements the brand earned. Questions can be sent to editorial@1851franchise.com

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Tips to Balance Parenting and Job Responsibilities While Working From Home

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