45: How to get kids do schoolwork while working from home?

- May 14, 2020

Q: How do I get my own work done while making sure my children complete schoolwork while schools are closed?

💁Tracy: Many families are struggling with this. Here are some steps that will help:

Education is important, but earning money to put food on your table is also important. Write down everything you need to do in a day and prioritize the items.

Once you know your priorities, place them on a daily schedule. You may use a chart that shows the schedule for each family member (especially if devices are shared) or have individual schedules.
Include your children in both of the above steps. They will need these skills as they get older, and empowering them will lead to more buy in for your plan.
Include time for relaxation, play, and exercise in each schedule. These are important for physical and emotional health.
Decide where each person will work in your home. Set up your work and school spaces with everything each person needs.

Explain your work schedule and set rules for when and how children may interrupt if they need to.

Forgive yourself if some things don’t get done.
Use weekends and evenings, after your work, to make up items you may have missed during the work week.

Evaluate your plan daily and make changes as needed. The schedule has to work for each family member.

Allow children who are capable of it to work on their own. If you are short of devices, simply print out the material before you start your work day and scan or photograph it for submission to teachers later.
Use your breaks to check in with your children and help them as needed.
Younger children may need more support but can still be empowered to work on their own. You may also have older children tutor their siblings, freeing you to work. Place this in both of their schedules.
No one expects you to be an expert teacher all of a sudden. Communicate problems with the teachers and school staff or have your children do so.
Using the Apps

💁Tracy’s Tips:

Routines will help everyone be more productive. Try to keep your daily schedules consistent with daily attendance.
If you are sharing devices, use separate usernames and keep priorities in mind. Teens may need priority over younger children because they are closer to college age.
Listen to each other and share feelings about the situation as it evolves.

Resources:

Writing: Debbie Vilardi; Proofreading: Jie Chen, Suzhen Jiang, Helen shih; Artwork: Yvonne Xia