Working from home, post COVID, with kids, learning virtually…until who knows?? These options we are given are all…”eh” to say the least.

Seems like a lot to adjust to, and that’s because it is. Never before have we been down this road, had this much to balance, these decisions to make, and not to mention we’ve been fumbling through this for the last few months. But I think perhaps we’ve all gotten used to the idea that this is our new normal (we don’t like it, per say), but we are getting mentally ready to move into this new school year with our rosy-colored frames, hoping for the best. Hoping we don’t fail our kids and our jobs for those also WORKING FROM HOME! 

Sigh, well at least we can focus on controlling the controllables. This is the best advice I have gotten in my 12+ sales career when things are out of my control forced me to pivot and try to make the best of my situation. It served me well from my mindset to my actions and eventually my success. The same philosophy can be applied here, as we enter into this new chapter.

Here are my top 5 things you can/should/need to do to get yourself mentally and physically ready for the next few months ahead, at home with your kids, while working. 

1. Designate space for learning and working. Try to making specific areas for yourself and your kids. They don’t have to be stagnant either, you can change it up depending on your mood or what you find after a few days what works best for you all.

2. Create a routine. 

a. Flipchart out a schedule with time and locations, so the kids (and you) know what is planned for the day and when. The school may be able to give you guidance on this but also, work with you work schedule to make it out for you guys.

b. Today’s Parents has some practical tips geared around the kids such as setting up snack stations and activity centers. 

c. Preparation is key. I know this will create more work for you (sorry!) but it will save you from a stressful morning running around trying to get things to together before those early school mornings start.

3. Get ahead of mental fatigue. 

a. Mental fatigue is a real thing. Some of the causes include decision making, clutter (hello professional organizer), and over commitment….like this homeschool/work thing we have going on. Forbes talks more about this and dives into the why and how to overcome it, pretty eloquently.

4. Plan for fun time.

a. You are essentially in control of your family’s time at home, why not make it fun??? Plan the things you couldn’t normally do at school or work, fo in the house. From indoor plastic cup bowling to a scavenger hunt. Pinterest has some great ideas to check out that super easy. Early dismissal anyone??? Let’s hit up Menchies for some FroYo!

5. Wall of gratitude. Naturally this situation will cause for some “emotional hijacking” and extra dose of unwanted cortisol dumped into your pyche. A crazy place where little patience and emotional reactions thrive.  According to the Positive Psychology , gratitude brings about a heaping serving of happiness and shifts your mind from “what I have to do” to “what I get to do”. With our current situation, we can all benefit from this shift. 

Create a wall for photos or inspirational sayings and to house moments that you are grateful for to visit when you stressed and to get those serotonin and dopamine levels back up.

Additionally, the simple dollar has some survival 101 tips to get you over the hump as well. Tips that I think are pretty smart including, asking for help, working the “graveyard shift” aka nap time and early mornings and patting yourself on the back. The root of my organizing philosophy is extending grace to YOU! Because let’s face it, this working from home with kids gig is NO JOKE…whew Chile! 

Keep this in mind, as Neil Webb says, “You are not working from home; you are at home during a crisis, trying to work” and might I add, home-schooling your kids virtually. We are making due given our circumstances and making the best of a crazy situation. Give yourself grace, you are going to do what’s best for you kids and yourself and it will all be alright…

Don’t stress ;) You got this.