Keeping it Real!
Slowly, the little voice penetrated my mom fog. I was so focused on helping James with his homeschooling that I didn’t hear my two-year-old saying,
“I’m tuck…I’m tuck”.
This wasn’t a panicked cry for help, but more of an I am uncomfortable, don’t know what to do, but I do need help. As we looked for where Jeremy was “tuck” we found out he had climbed behind the couch and was wedged between the comfy couch and the not so comfy wall. He was happy to be rescued.
Working from home and home education
That was the beginning of my journey with educating my children from home. I had the luxury of starting with one and adding another each year. In the end, I homeschooled all five children through high-school while starting and growing my business.
I understand the frustrations, anxiety, and turmoil that education at home can cause.
COVID-19 has caused families to pivot, and there is much anxiety about what the next school year will hold for learners.
Many parents are in a panic or are in survival mode. How do you work from home, support your children’s education, and have a life?
You are NOT alone. UNESCO said in May of 2020 that there were a little over 1 billion affected learners and 143 country-wide closures due to COVID-19.
Kate Lister, president of Global Workplace Analytics, says,
“Our best estimate is that 25-30% of the workforce will be working from home multiple days a week by the end of 2021.”
That is putting a lot of workers and learners at home.
When my husband and I first discussed the option of homeschooling, I was very resistant. We had three children at that time. I had two children in elementary and one in middle school. I was happy with my quiet time at home. There were definitely moments of overwhelm and chaos, especially in the early years.
You can find a work-life rhythm while working from home with your children.
Here are three thoughts to provoke you, two ideas to inspire you, and one item to act on!
Three Thoughts to Provoke
Number One. Remove Inessentials.
You cannot get it ALL done. Let go of that fantasy. I like this quote from Bruce Lee.
“It is not a daily increase, but a daily decrease. Hack away at the inessentials.”
Do you need to say “no” to some tasks? You control your priorities.
Number Two. Moment In Time.
In Star Trek, Insurrection, there is a scene called “A Perfect Moment in Time.” This is one of my favorite Star Trek moments. Anij shows Picard how to slow time.
Now is the time to slow your pace. One of my favorite quotes that I tell myself and my children,
“this too will pass.”
It doesn’t matter if you are enjoying this season or not, this season in life will pass. Enjoy these moments. Your children will remember these perfect moments in time.
Number Three. Rhythm.
I can hear you now! Yea right. I am supposed to select my priorities…ha! I am supposed to make these perfect moments in time…right?!
You can do this. Block your time. Examine your energy levels. Is morning your creative, get things done time? If so, block that off for work. Maybe the afternoon is your creative time, block that off.
Perhaps you are working remotely and need to be at your desk from 8 a.m. – 4 p.m., set aside some evening time for the children to do their school time. If they are early risers, have them do some before breakfast and more after dinner. Be creative. Set rewards for them if they stay on task and let you focus on your work.
If you have older children who can oversee the work, set up a classroom in the kitchen. Give the overseer permission to come to you with questions at the top of the hour. Stretch your legs and answer questions for 5 or 10 minutes. Refocus your children on their tasks.
Two Things to Inspire
Number One. Believe
Believe in yourself.
Dale Carnegie says,
“Believe that you will succeed, and you will.”
Number Two. Breathe
Steve Maraboli says,
“Sometimes it’s the same moments that take your breath away that breathe purpose and love back into your life.”
Your Action Item
Take a few moments every morning this week to remind yourself that you believe in what you are doing. Focus on what you can do and let go of the things that you can’t.
If you need to talk or have questions, email me at lisa@olindaservices or leave a comment below. I am here. I will listen.
Additional Resources
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