HOME SCHOOLING SURVIVAL GUIDE FOR PARENTS

We’ve come a long way in this pandemic but here we are again with home schooling! We we all love our children but that doesn’t mean we wish to spend 24 hours with them. It also doesn’t mean we wish to juggle work calls with trying to make a Roman shield and describing the various characters of Wind in the Willows using ‘interesting adjectives’. So how can we all survive this current home schooling lockdown phase? We’ve compiled 5 top tips so that you’ll sail through this home schooling malarkey like a pro.

1. HELP THE CHILDREN TO HELP THEMSELVES

Now I’m not suggesting that you give your 4 year-old free reign over the gas stove but there are plenty of things that even young children are able to do safely by themselves. As soon as they have developed the ability to prepare basic dishes for themselves, give them access to easy-to-manage breakfast, lunch, and snack food. Prep dishes in advance with the kids so that it’s a simply case of assembly when they get hungry.

Give the kids chores to share the load (I’m sure you had chores when you were younger). Have a timetable for pet feeding, hoovering and other basic tasks where everyone an chip in. Encourage siblings to help each other first before calling for your help if you’re busy.

2. KEEP CRAFT MATERIALS, GAMES, BOOKS, & TOYS WITHIN EASY REACH

Make it easy for the kids to access the things you want them to without supervision, and put away the things you don’t want them helping themselves without your guidance. Experience will guide you as to which things need to be stored out of reach until you can help with them. Be sure to teach the children to clean up after themselves so as not to add to your burden!

3. LET YOUR CHILD KNOW WHEN THEY MUST WAIT FOR YOUR ATTENTION

Be clear about times that you can’t be interrupted. If possible, stick to set working hours. Set a timer or alarm so your children will know when you’ll be all theirs. Younger children might need a clear visual signal, such as a specific hat on your head when you are “at work”. Older children might appreciate a list of go-to activities (such as free-reading, art projects, or journaling) to do when can’t move forward without your help or when they are waiting for your attention. Let them know how much you appreciate their patience.

4. TAKE GOOD CARE OF YOURSELF

This point can’t be stressed enough. As parents we sometime confuse putting our kids first with prioritising their care and neglecting our own. Working at home with children around requires a lot of patience and flexibility and can be very stressful so make time for exercise, eating right, staying hydrated, and getting enough sleep.

5. RELAX

Time passes very quickly when you’re working and home schooling. If things don’t go the way you planned, make the most of what you are able to accomplish and pick up any dropped threads the following day.

Hope that helped. Happy home schooling from Children’s Book Outlet

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