How to manage family life and telecommuting?

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Rudolphe ABEN

How to manage family life and telecommuting?

Coronavirus and the choice to work from home have forced families to rethink their routines. Parents who choose to work from home face the added challenge of juggling the needs of their young children (such as helping them with homework and keeping them occupied). The question is how to get organized. Here are some suggestions that should help you overcome this obstacle without losing your cool.

Need to be more accepting of electronic media

You probably share the concerns of many parents when you see the amount of screen time your children spend. You have to work during this time, but it can be difficult to explain this to your youngest child.

Tell yourself that this new setting requires a more adaptable approach. Allow your children to watch cartoons longer than usual from time to time. This will give you peace of mind while you attend to your work duties.

Schedules that are convenient for you

In all likelihood, you won't be as productive as you are at work during the same periods. You'll either have to get up before the kids or work through the evening movie if you don't want to fall behind.

Choose the times that work best for you, whether it's before the kids get up if you're an early riser or after they go to bed if you're a night owl. It can be exhausting, but it won't be for long... Think of it as a temporary opportunity to spend more precious time with your children.

Adjust the length of each activity

Change the routine from time to time to avoid boredom in young children. If you have a task that requires a lot of concentration, it's best to do it between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. For youngsters, 30 minutes is the maximum amount of time they should spend on a given activity.

Once everyone has done their homework, you can start the arts and crafts activities. Of course, arts and crafts are a sure way to get kids thinking outside the box, but you can also get them involved in household chores. In the afternoon, you can mix work and play by having everyone help create a cake for snack time.

Taking care of the kids while working at home can be a challenge. Are you struggling right now? Don't hesitate to reach out to the school and other parents by phone or online; have open conversations, celebrate and compare the highs and lows experienced by all involved.