How to Survive Homeschooling and Working

In the past week, many of us have found ourselves in a position where we are homeschooling AND working from home.  I’m certainly no expert.  I have 5 days of experience with this.  Some of those days were downright challenging.  Here were some of our lower points:

• Having a conference call interrupted when my child (who I was ignoring because I was presenting to 50 people) put his hand over my video camera to get my attention.  So I could get him milk.
• Only working in 35 second increments for 1 day because as soon as I began something, I would get a question about a school lesson or an online platform (that I had never used before)
• Getting up 5 times during “lunch” to get more milk, a different snack, etc

I cried twice yesterday, and it was an improvement.  So, I still have a lot to learn about homeschooling and working from home.

That said, I’ve learned a lot the past few days.  Everyday, I have another realization about how to make the next day better.  And I get more tips and tricks from others.

So, here is my advice based on my experiences so far:

1.  “Pretend” like you are in school

The idea is that you keep the same expectations, timelines, and rules as school.  Since those are familiar to children, it may help them adhere to the homeschooling plan.

So, what this may mean is:

• Set alarm bells when the school bells would ring.  If there is 1 thing I’ve learned this week, it is:  kids respond to bells.  They are trained that a bell signals a change in activities.  The alarm bell goes off on my phone and I say “school is starting” and they sit down!
• Have a dedicated workspace for each child, much like their desk.  They are expected to sit there as they would in the classroom
• Kids work separately and can play at “recess.”  My children keep wanted to be together during the day.  I ask, “would you be allowed to visit your brother’s classroom at school whenever you want?”  The answer is no.  So, the answer at homeschool is also “no”
• Kids cannot argue about lunch.  If they eat a packed lunch at school, they get what they get.  They don’t get to go to the fridge and take something else.  So, when my kids whine about lunch and ask for pizza instead, I ask, “would you be able to go to our fridge during the school day?”  Again, no.
• “Pack” lunch in the morning (or night before), just as you would for school.  This will allow you to have a more seamless work day
• FaceTime school friends during lunch so they can eat with friends just like they do in school.  It’s also a great motivator to get them to focus…you can say, “you can call John when you’re done with your assignment!”

2. “Pretend” like you are at work

The thinking is the same as pretending the kids are going to school:

• Get dressed!  You will feel more in “work mode” and it may help signal to your children that isn’t a lazy Sunday because you are in your PJs at Noon.
• Have a dedicated “work” space.  We have 1 office in our household, and my husband uses it.  So, while I use it to work from home a lot, these days I’ve been booted to our kitchen table.  I chose 1 seat where I do work. I will literally sit next to that seat in order to eat.  Feels good to have a “work” zone and a personal zone.

3.  Set boundaries with kids and coworkers

• After the conference call fiasco noted above, I created a “do not disturb” sign and put it on my computer.  I told them that they could interrupt me only in during an emergency.  Other than that, they cannot talk to me if that sign is up.
• Block lunch time (and maybe make it in advance)
• Schedule time for exercise (Short walk, Pure Barre On Demand, Peloton, etc).  Super important for your sanity and health right now.

3.  Think like a teacher

• Make a school plan for the next day.  Every evening, I look at my work meeting schedule and plan my children’s schoolwork around it.  If it’s the subjects where they need more assistance (i.e., navigating technology), I plan for that at a time when I’m not in a video conference.
• Give options for free time / recess.  At school, my children can choose from a variety of activities in the yard (i.e., sports, play structure, etc).  The first few days, I would say “it’s recess” and they would just start misbehaving and driving me crazy.  When I allowed them to choose from a set of activities, they did much better.  I plan these options the night before (i.e., load the specific “GoNoodle” video, or set up a game, etc).

I’m hopeful that homeschooling will end soon.  It makes me so sad to think that our children may be separated from each other and from certified educators for a prolonged period of time.  And, yet, going through this experience — at the same time — allows us to teach our children how to be flexible, take life as it comes, and (of course) resilience in the face of a challenge.  In my lowest moments — and there have been quite a few — I try to remember that my reaction to this new reality is, perhaps, the most important lesson my children will learn during their homeschooling.

What tips and tricks have you learned these past few days?  I’d love to learn more!  Write in the comments below!

If you liked this post, be sure to check these out:

• How to Get Kids Out of the House in 30 Minutes
• 5 Tips for Working Out as a Working Mom
• Non-toxic household items that can actually save you money

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