10 tips for working from home while schooling your kids.png

So the world has officially been turned on its head! Schools closed, businesses shuttered, everyone (hopefully) hunkering down as we all get through this new and hopefully temporary normal together.

Many of my friends are finding themselves working from home while trying to school their children, neither are things they thought they would be doing. I’ve been working at home eight years and homeschooling my kids for four years. So I have some tips.

For reference my kids are 8, 6, 3 and 8 months.

Get dressed

I know it’s tempting to just hang out in your jammies all day, but I cannot emphasize enough the importance of putting real clothes on. These don’t have to be your normal work clothes, but they need to be something that inspires you to be productive. I wear leggings, a long top, and my shoes.

I was inspired to “dress to my shoes” by Fly Lady. She says when you’re wearing shoes you act differently. And I agree.

That goes for EVERYONE. My kids have to get dressed too. They are far more motivated throughout the day and it signals them that we’ve transitioned.

Have a list of daily tasks.

I have four things I do daily that keep my life running.

Unload the dishwasher first thing in the morning and load it throughout the day.
Do one load of laundry.
Prep dinner.
Clean one area.

Having a few smaller tasks will prevent your home from looking like a bomb went off and it just takes away some of the mental load.

Block that schedule

Go ahead and figure out what your day will look like. You might school from 8 a.m to noon and then work the rest of the day.

Maybe you split it up. But make sure you block out time so the two don’t mix.

Set some clear boundaries

Let your office know when you’re working and when you’re not. Let you’re kids know too. There has to be a great deal of flexility on everyone involved. And a lot of grace. We’re all dealing with this together.

If you’re using messaging to communicate with your employers/coworkers log off completely when you’re not working. Otherwise, the day won’t end.

Be firm in love

I got a question on Instagram earlier this week. A mom asked me what to do when you child refused to do the work the school had sent home.

My advice was direct (and my sound harsh, that is NOT my intention). Be the parent. As parents, it is our responsibility to see that our kids learn and we have authority over them. Set clear consequences for what is going to happen is school isn’t completed. And have a reward for when goals are met.

Rewards are key. I still use them even though we homeschool all the time. Yesterday I promised my kids we would make slime if we met our goals for the day.

But layout clear expectations in a loving way.

Go outside

If you have a yard or can take a walk without coming in contact with others- do it! Yesterday I sent my kids outside to eat breakfast. It was a nice change and a great way to start the day.

Don’t reinvent the wheel

If your child’s school sent home materials. Use those materials and let that be enough. Then focus on life skills. Cook with them. Teach them to do laundry. Teach them to do housework. Life skills are important.

Read.

Read. Read. Read. If your library is closed use something like Libby or Overdrive to get free books.

Don’t think you have to mimic school

Schooling at home will be different. And you’ll be amazed at how quickly you will get things completed. You do not have to do things EXACTLY as they are done at school.