Being stuck at home all day is no easy feat, especially if you’re a working parent who must now find a way to schedule meetings, conference calls and other important work-related tasks from home, in the midst of family stress and constant chaos.
After the coronavirus turned into a global pandemic, most companies have been forced to lay off their non-essential workers while finding ways to allow their essential workforce to operate remotely.
But working from home isn’t easy if you’re surrounded by kids who constantly need your attention. But there are some creative ways to keep your kids occupied and make the most of their time at home, especially when you absolutely need to be by yourself for some important work or a meeting.
YOU NEED A SCHEDULE
Monkey Business Images / Shutterstock
Kids need regularity in their lives just as much as adults do. Many of them are used to specific school hours and even during a nationwide lockdown, it’s important to give them some sort of a schedule so that they stay productive and give you the space you need to get your own work done.
You could even schedule your meetings during their movie time or wake up early morning to catch up on work while your little ones are catching up on sleep.
Even if you’re having a busy day, it’s important to squeeze in a couple of hours of family time in which you’re giving your kids the attention they need, whether it’s through preparing meals together or playing your favorite board games.
COOPERATE WITH TEACHERS
fizkes / Shutterstock
In a time of uncertainty about the kids’ future, schools are scrambling to move their classes online so that students don’t fall behind. Many schools have already put a system in place where parents and pupils can access weekly coursework through the official website. Some are also sending parents weekly emails to keep them up to date with their children’s progress.
In such a case, it is expected of parents to fully cooperate with the teachers and make sure the kids are taking their education seriously even if they’re stuck at home.
BE CREATIVE
Mego studio / Shutterstock
Kids love building stuff, and what better time to tickle their creative bone than now, when everyone is stuck at home? There are plenty of activities to keep your kids busy and entertained while you attend to your ever-growing list of things to do. Lego games are a great way to tap into kids’ creativity but even challenging them to build pillow houses is equally fun and engaging.