In the coming weeks, instead of “Mother Concerned About Environmental Issues”, I'm going to be “Mother who works from home with two young children who demand a lot of attention”, because in these uncertain times when it seems like we're all extras in a sci-fi/horror/drama film, we are required, among everything else, a lot of adaptability.
I've worked from home before, so many techniques that I'm going to share with you were already (successfully) using them, but the secret ingredient called “children” destabilized everything and forced me to reformulate many aspects of my telecommuting dynamics.
First tip: dress and get ready as if you were going to your usual office/workplace. Also take the usual breaks and end your working day at the normal time when you usually finish your day. No overtime (unless strictly necessary)!
Second tip: set a space to work separate from the rest of the home's dynamics. My work space used to be a comfortable desk in the living room, overlooking the neighbour's swimming pool. Now, I'm writing these lines for you in my kitchen, contemplating spice jars and a set of dishes that should have been in the dishwasher for a long time...
The room, these days, has become a cinema, a playground, an obstacle course, with the right to two improvised tents. Yes, because my daughters have become neighbors – they feel the need to visit each other, as they cannot visit friends…
Third tip: create a daily activity plan, which should include your work time and time available for family.
Try to involve children in defining this plan. Thus, they will understand better and will find it easier to respect your time.
Keep in mind that your productivity will be lower and that you won't always be able to follow that of yours to do list. But by defining it, you will have some sense of control and daily progression.
I leave you this Pumpkin Family Quarantine Kit, which you can use or serve as a basis for creating your own plan.
Don't forget to contemplate the time to carry out school tasks. The Ministry of Education has even released a video with 10 pieces of advice for parents to follow students' classes during Covid-19, that you can see here.
Fourth tip: if they live with another person who is also teleworking, I suggest that each one works in a different space in the house and allocates the time of daily attention to the children.
Fifth tip: take care of your physical and mental health. Working from home with children can be very exhausting and demanding, especially when we have deadlines to meet.
Be sure to take breaks. Connect with colleagues and friends and get active.
I now leave you with some suggestions to do at home with the children in their “free time” and also a suggestion for reading for you. It is very important that, in the midst of all these family and professional demands, you do not waste your time, within the limitations that the moment requires.
And reading (even if it's a page a day!) can be a great escape for your thoughts to wander far away from the sad reality we live in right now.
3 ACTIVITIES TO ESCAPE THE screens
1st stage a story
Bringing home theater is a super fun activity for kids and adults alike.
We can dramatize the story, make puppets or Chinese shadows… Choose the story, decide the characters, build the setting and characters (if applicable) and have fun.
2nd Obstacle Race
And because children also need to spend and energy, to stimulate and develop global motor skills and now they can't do it outside… we can create an obstacle race indoors.
Decide the route and the different obstacles. They will be able to go up and down stairs; passing under the bed or chairs; get up and down the sofa; run around the table; jump off the chair...
The older ones can leave the fear and fear aside and let the children challenge themselves in physical terms, always with the accompaniment and supervision of adults.
This activity can also be done together, parents and children having fun and exploring their global motor skills.
3rd Theme Party
And why not have a themed party?! A Japanese, Hawaiian, princes and princesses party…
All themes are valid for fun, different and special family moments.
Decide on the theme, choose the music and let your imagination run wild, whether in clothing or accessories.
LITERARY SUGGESTION FOR YOU
Requiem for a Lone Browser, by Luís Cardoso, Don Quixote
Literary prescription: to travel to Timor and to past moments in our history, against the backdrop of the reality of the Second World War lived on that island and the life and choices of Catarina, a young woman, in search of her prince charming.
Next week, I'll be back with more tips for you, being at home, to be as good as possible, with you and your family.
Until then. Be alright. Stay safe.
Note: The “Activities to escape the screens” are suggested by Liliana Marques, the Mother Educator, mMother of a 4-year-old girl and a kindergarten teacher who has been working for 15 years.
Comments