by Silvana B. Hoti
There is a lot going on these days. I am a parent myself and I am living through this change in my life as well. I am working from home while also trying to help my two boys while they are doing remote learning.
We can have different realities at home, but one thing we have in common is the anxiety and stress caused by the pandemic of Coronavirus. It can be a very hard.
Today, I will give you some amazing tips to help in this whole process.
1) Work from Home
2) Remote Learning
3) Re-Energize Yourself
4) Family Time
Work from Home
If you need to work from home, find a way to manage life accordingly. The best way to do it is by:
Creating a routine with a flexible schedule. You may not agree with me, but children like routine. Children like discipline and stable routines. It brings to them, the sense of security and control. This is extremely valuable in this unpredictable time that we are living in. On the other hand, too much freedom can emphasize the unpredictability and could generate anxiety and stress. Adapt your schedule with your reality. If you and your spouse work from home, try to accommodate working. opposite shifts to make sure the kids are always with an adult. If you are a single working parent, set quiet time activities for your children, like coloring, educational screen time, while in a work meeting or on phone calls.
Limit the screen time for whenever you need a quiet time to work. After a whole day of work and remote learning, educational websites are the way to go. But remember that screen is not a babysitter. First school, then screen time. Set boundaries and rules. In the long run, you will see the difference.
Be prepared for interruptions. Lower your expectations. Working from home will not be like working at your office. Let go of perfectionism at this point. Be flexible.
Do not multitask. You will be more efficient with an organized schedule. Set breaks to give attention to your children before any important work meeting to avoid attention seeking interruptions.
If you are not working, try to follow the teacher’s suggested schedule. This way your child would have the same schedule as the school’s.
If needed, work early in the morning and late in the evening.
Remote Learning
You are not expected to be a teacher at home. You are expected to help your child to have some contact with the Pre-K curriculum to ensure that he/she is continuing to learn.
Remember that you do not, necessarily, need to do all the suggested activities given by the teacher. If you can incorporate educational conversations and activities in your daily interactions with your children, that will be great. Do what you can, based on your reality.
Adapt your expectations based on your child’ needs, and always follow your child’s interests.
A sample of a schedule could be something like this: play an alphabet game in the morning, and dance with GoNoodle videos, and after lunch and nap time in the afternoon, play a game with numbers, and watch an educational website together.
Do not forget the power of play. Playing with your child will provide opportunities to learn social emotional skills, very important to transition to Kindergarten. Some skills are: sharing, taking turns, respecting other people’s opinions, listening skills, following instructions, having empathy …
Make it fun and follow their interests. They will feel engaged and the learning will come naturally.
Allow the kids to be kids. Yes, they will interrupt. They will have tantrums, and meltdowns. They will not listen to you. They will fight. This is all part of being a 4 or 5 year old child. On the other side, these are also great opportunities for you to sit (after calming him/her down) and teach new ways to express their strong emotions. It calls Social Emotional Learning (SEL). They are extremely important skills to develop for school and life.
Set an end time for remote learning and for your own work. Yes, school time ends at 2:40 pm.
Re-Energize Yourself
Allow yourself to take a break. Allow your spouse to take a break.
Set a “Me time” for yourself. A time when you can be alone, doing what you like and makes you feel reinvigorated and happy. It will help to release stress. It can be sleep, talking with friends and family, reading a book, watching a movie, using social media, talking with your spouse, drink a hot coffee or tea, cooking a good meal, meditating, listening to music, exercising, taking a walk, taking a long shower… Whatever makes you feel good to come back and enjoy your beautiful children.
Use this time for self-development: reading positive books, learning a new skill or language, finding your passion, making plans, listening to podcasts and videos. All that propels to a better you.
Family Time
Set aside a time to stay together. This is extremely important for your child’s social emotional development. Model what you want your child to be. Be the example.
Be grateful for being safe in this pandemic time and to have each other.
Start new traditions. Have fun together. Take silly pictures, have dance parties, pajama parties, movie nights, tea parties, karaoke parties, virtual conversation with family and friends…
This time can be a hard and stressful time, or it can be a chance to create
new beautiful memories to be proud of.
Which side do you want to be on?
You have the power of choice. Make it happen, today.
Be positive, with love in your heart.
Your family needs you.
Be safe, be well.