The summer was already challenging for parents. They were learning to work at home (with numerous interruptions and background noise from restless children.) September increased the stress when parents, looking forward to a break when kids went back to school, found out they would be homeschooling instead!
Now parents working at home have to also create a schedule for children to keep regular school hours either learning a lesson or doing homework at specific times. And often the kids are not on the same schedule. Trying to keep children co-operating with the new lessons and homework times is overwhelming for home office entrepreneurs and company employees working at home.
Meanwhile, children are struggling to cope with all the changes to their once simple routines. Uncertainty and frequent changes can cause insecurity in children of all ages. Not only are they stressed out but they are watching their parents trying to cope with it all. There is more anger, frustration, blame, confusion, exhaustion, and stress in the family dynamics.
If you have a relative living close by who will help with the children while you are working you are fortunate indeed! It is human nature to resist change and want to be rewarded for a job well done. Let’s look at some tips that could bring relief and reward.
- Schedule family participation that helps get essential tasks done and gives relief to weary parents. List the daily tasks that are required to keep the family and household running.
Let family members choose which task they want to do (either every day, weekly or monthly rotation). Use a white board so everybody knows what they are responsible for. Each person can check off their task when it is finished that day. A quick look at the board updates the family on the progress. Then erase the checkmarks and start over tomorrow.
This is a great opportunity for children to get some valuable adult life skills. They will graduate already knowing how to wash clothes, cook, mow the lawn, vacuum the house, take care of a pet, water the house plants, etc. Each family member gets a reward for doing their task well.
You can choose a suitable reward. Payment so he can save up to buy something he really wants. Or an activity like a picnic in the park together, watching a special movie together, a day at the beach, daughter’s time with Mom or son’s time with Dad.
- Preparing meals can be a time challenge for the family. Choose some simple recipes for easy prep. (baked casseroles, “set timer and walk away crockpots dishes, InstaPot roast, veggies, and potatoes) Assign a meal to rotate family members. Also prep and cleanup.
- Remember to keep an attitude of gratitude and appreciation in the family. Say please and thank you often. Show your gratitude verbally and with hugs.
- Play together as a family. Even if it is in your back yard! Or go to a park with a larger space. Teach younger kids hand/eye coordination with catching the ball. Keep it light and fun.
- Parents must schedule date nights and romantic time together. This is essential!
- Remember parents you need to un-stress after work to transition mentally and emotionally from work time to family time. Do whatever works for you. Don’t bring work into family time.
- Laugh a lot. Funny movies, funny jokes, whatever. Laughter is a great stress reliever.
