How To Balance Working From Home With The Kids Around

Due to the new coronavirus closing schools, workplaces and many public spaces, today is our first official family day at home, "working" and playing. My 4-year-old has already watched over two hours of TV in bed so we could get a little extra sleep this morning. My husband is now locked in our bedroom teaching classes online, and I’m trying to finish this article on my phone, while my son insists on watching videos on my computer.

Schools in and around New York have announced that they will be closed for at least two weeks. Most of us are happy that we can now do our part to "flatten the curve" and keep our communities safe. Many of my friends are also practicing social distancing with their families, doing little outside the home — except for walks in the woods, a few supermarket trips and wine store runs.

These are crazy times. And while we try to remain calm and handle our anxiety, we also rationally need to figure out how to be home with our families all day long and actually get some work done. I checked in with some moms about how they're handling everyone being, working and schooling at home, and here are some of their suggestions on staying sane:

Related: Everything You Need To Productively Work From Home

Home-School in a Room

Mom Jackie surrendered and put her three kids in one bedroom together with a TV. She says, "The kids have schoolwork that they are supposed to do, but we let them spread it out a lot more during the day. If you think about regular school, a lot of time is spent transitioning and moving from one activity to another, so it takes less time to get it done at home. We have a rule that when we are downstairs working in our bedroom, they don't come downstairs unless it's an emergency. We have baskets of snacks that they can grab if they want to so we don't need to make them food."

More Love and Attention

Mom Jennifer is quarantined with her 10-year-old in Uzbekistan for 14 days. "She has schoolwork to do, but she misses her friends terribly and is going a bit spare," Jennifer says. "She also is needing a lot more attention, love and reassurance than usual, which means work is interrupted by hugging every few minutes."

Use This As an Opportunity to Play

For parents who can take time off from work, preschool teacher Deb Tashoff has this thought, "I would like to offer a silver lining to this rather dreary and upsetting topic. If and when the schools decide to close, take this opportunity to get back to basics with your children. Put away the technology, gather in small groups and PLAY! Think about the hours we miss with our kids when they are at school. What an amazing opportunity it is to have some extra quality time with your children, so make the most of it!"

Learn from Home-School Moms

Moms who home-school their kids have been there and done this. Contact and speak to home-school moms in your area who might have great advice. Join Facebook groups such as Homeschooling When You Have To. This is also a great resource list from a home-school mom that you can check out.

Stay Positive

Jenni Mahnaz, who is also a home-schooling mom and consultant, says, "My best advice is that people need to adjust their perspective. This just isn't what any of us are used to. Don't try to replicate school at home. Don't assume you're going to be able to work in the same way you do when your kids are off at school. Talk to your kids and co-create the space you need for the next few weeks. Most importantly, treat this as bonus time to learn to collaborate, not a burden on your 'normal life.' Our kids can hear us, and people who feel like a burden often act like it."

Find Your Space

Mahnaz also says, "I think it's more about creating agreements and a rhythm that lets kids know when you will not be available to interact, unless it's an emergency. Creating a rhythm that alternates back and forth between work time and interacting time makes it easier for kids to give you space. They know the work time will end and not go on indefinitely. Set a timer if you need to!"

Split the Time

If you have a partner and are able to, split the time and responsibilities between you so you can take care of the kids and still both get some work done. Mom Anne says, "My husband and I are splitting work hours 50/50, both working evenings, and splitting weekends 50/50."

Stay Organized

Home-schooling mom Tamra Malaga say, "Organize the day for them with a schedule and a checklist. Have them check off each thing they do when it's done. They feel good about themselves when they feel accomplished. Take a lunch break together. It's so nice to eat lunch as a family. Put educational YouTube videos on for science, make a reading list or have them read it out loud with the family, have them write a letter to a friend (for writing), draw or paint for art, etc. Please know that you can do this. It just takes some organizing on your part."

This feels like one of the toughest moment in our lives as parents and people, and it may just be the beginning. But still, we are strong, capable, and we will get through this — even if it means a few extra hours of playtime. Good luck, and stay safe everyone!

More Parenting News:

• How Parents Are Handling Coronavirus Fears
• How To Teach Our Kids Patience
• Why Playtime And Learning Go Hand-In-Hand