4 Tips for Parents Balancing Remote Work with Kids’ Online Learning 

Online learning for children may come easily for some families, while others struggle no matter how much time passes. One thing’s certain: countless parents and their children have faced a variety of challenges throughout online learning during these recent, unpredictable times while they work and learn at home.

What may not be certain to all families is how to handle everything in the most functional way possible without disturbing one or the other’s progress. A survey has shown that a third of working parents who have the same job as before the coronavirus outbreak started to say it’s now harder for them to balance both work and family responsibilities. With some regular planning, discussions, and a positive, determined attitude, you’re sure to create balance with your job along with your kids’ online learning.

Create Break Times For Your Children and Yourself

We all know how easy it is to fall into a rabbit hole that won’t seem to ever end. The best thing you can do to break out of this bad habit is to take breaks – even if they’re short 10-minute pauses – and stick to them! Utilize this as an especially encouraging time in your day to get things done.

Be sure to check in with your child to connect and hear about how their day is going, too. This can be the perfect opportunity to discover the right hobby for your child. Some constructive and mind-clearing activities could include:

In the same light, it’s crucial to give yourself your own alone time as well. When you’re nonstop busy at your job or helping your child with school, this can take a toll on your patience and energy levels, leading to a less efficient day. Create an organized break structure at certain times, especially if there are multiple adults in one household to avoid any conflicts.

Designate Workspaces

One of the most important ways to support balance in the school/workday is to make designated workspaces for you and your children. Doing so ensures you’ll be in the best mental state when it’s time for work and school as it’s most beneficial to separate professional areas from regular areas that involve play and relaxation. Try your best to choose an area that your child agrees to learn in as this could spike their motivation. You can learn a lot from what they decide, then implement creative ideas to transform the space.

In some cases, choosing everyone’s workspaces has posed a challenge, particularly with families in smaller homes. When every family member is trying to be productive at the same time at home, they will likely cross paths several times a day, posing many distractions throughout the day. While planning to separate workspaces, take the opportunity to assess possible home upgrades for greater achievable potential.

Families have decided to include more windows for natural light, create additional rooms, as well as invest in extra furniture for their workspaces. When looking for ways to make this happen, many parents have taken advantage of motivational money-saving games together to reach their goals. Some homeowners have also explored home equity loans as helpful and timely resources for funding major projects like these. As you make your home’s environment more functional for everyone, it will become easier to succeed in career and educational growth.

Recognize the Importance of a Routine and Schedule 

As school, work, and home routines have been suddenly disrupted, children may have difficulty regulating their emotions and behaviors. It’s imperative to stay structured with a routine. Write up a schedule with your children and include things such as consistent bedtimes on learning days so they know what to expect. Also, give them the chance to look forward to socializing with their friends safely after school to keep building their social skills.

Consider adding some bonus motivational tasks into your weekly schedule such as:

Plus, remember to consistently give positive feedback or reward them for positive results. You’ll find that surprises cure boredom and keep things exciting!

Talk to Your Children and Seek Support When Needed

The learning and working from home experience can become tedious. It’s easy for parents and children alike to become burnt out, causing them to forget about everyday things. Set aside time to have a conversation with your child. Ask them what they like about online learning, what they don’t like, and address challenges they could be facing. They’ll feel more comforted knowing they can express their feelings and ask questions at any time.

On top of this, it’s incredibly important to always remember: you’re not alone! Times like these can be unpredictable and intimidating, especially for a child. Take the time to explain and assure them that there are others going through the same situations, which can be comforting for you as well. Don’t ever hesitate to reach out to friends and family members, your children’s teachers, and even support groups in online communities. You’ll never know what helpful tips you could learn from connecting with other homeschool parents and their children.

While you may not know how long your children will continue learning online from home, do your best to build a cohesive structure. Not only will everyone be happy, but they’ll be working efficiently as well!