The coronavirus situation has thrown us all into new and unusual situations. Perhaps for the first time ever, we’re working from home, which can be challenging in its own right.
With schools and daycares closed, we have to navigate the tricky situation of trying to get our work done, while also looking after our little ones. In this blog, we’re going to take a look at some useful tips that help to make the situation more manageable.
Get Flexible With Your Schedule
Most are used to a predictable work schedule. However, that’s not going to be possible in this situation. A degree of flexibility will help immeasurably, not the least because it’ll prevent you from being too stressed that you’re not able to perform as you want.
There’ll be some days when everything flows well, other days when it feels like all you’re doing is looking after your children.
Set Up Your Home Office Space
You’ll want to set up a home office. This doesn’t have to be a full-blown work office, but simply a place that has the essentials you need to get your work done. Pick an ideal location to maximize your productivity, and have a policy (if your kids are old enough) that when the door is closed, you’re working.
You’ll still be disturbed from time to time, but those times will be far less than if you were working at the kitchen table. There will be times when you need work elsewhere in the home, like on the couch if you’re looking after your kids, but try to find an area in the house that gives you the privacy you may need.
Children’s Activities
You’ll find it much easier to get your work done if your kids are occupied with activities. Look at giving them activities to do that help with their education. It can be tempting to let them watch TV, but you don’t want your kids to regress.
You can use free writing worksheets like those that are available at sites like https://studentreasures.com/teachers-lounge/lesson-plans/fourth-grade/ so that they’re making the most of their time inside the home, for example.
As well as educational tasks, be sure to get some fun games for them to enjoy too. When you need an hour of peace to get your work done, they can be keeping themselves busy — and it’ll also prevent them from getting too bored during the lockdown. If they do their work, then reward them with some video game or TV time.
Share the Responsibility
It’s likely that your partner is in the same position as you are. Look at dividing the responsibility of work. Set a predetermined schedule of work that allows you to give each other the quiet needed.
It could be that one of you takes “the morning shift,” and then switch things around in the afternoon. It’s also important to be a little flexible with the arrangement though. It could be that one day, you need to be on an important call when you should be looking after the kids, in which case they can take over for a little while.
Talk To Your Boss
Everyone’s feeling the effects of the coronavirus situation, and that includes your boss. Be sure to talk to them about your situation. If you have an understanding and good boss, then they’ll be willing to help you find the right balance. This can help you juggle your workload while also ensuring that your family is safe and happy.
Regular Breaks
Break times can come into their own when you’re working from home. Manage the stress by taking regular breaks, both with your kids and alone. If you have a yard, then make the most of it.
Don’t Get Discouraged!
Finally, remember that it might take a little while to figure out what works best for you. This is a new situation for many people, and no-one’s going to get it completely right straight away.
If your current setup isn’t working for you, then mix things up and try something new. Eventually, you’ll hit upon the right way to work from home — or the lockdown will be over, and you’ll be able to get back to normal.