Balancing Work and Family Life During the Pandemic
As we approach the 12 month milestone of living with Covid-19 in the UK, it’s safe to say that the past year hasn’t been easy for anyone. From sudden restrictions on our social lives to adjusting to working from home, the pandemic has posed many challenges for people of all ages.
One particular set of challenges has been faced by parents trying to balance work and family life, especially during periods when schools and nurseries are closed. Juggling work, childcare and home learning is no easy feat and it’s no wonder that many parents have been left stressed and exhausted.
At the time of going to press, schools remained closed to the majority of pupils and the boundaries between home and work life may be increasingly blurred. If you’ve been struggling to create balance and structure or need some extra support, read on for our tips to help balance work and family life during the pandemic.
Set clear boundaries
It’s very easy for work and life to become blurred when working from home, but it’s important to set strict boundaries between the two. Switch off your computer or laptop at the end of the working day and if necessary, unsync your work email account from your phone.
It’s also very important to have a designated work space, even if it’s just a desk in the corner of one room. A subtle change like putting your laptop away and placing some flowers on the desk helps to signal that you’ve finished work for the day and now it’s family or leisure time. It can be difficult to set boundaries if you have young children but it’s important that they recognise when you need uninterrupted work time. You could even get them involved with making a ‘do not disturb’ sign so they understand the importance.
Lower your expectations
Life is difficult at the moment and it would be impossible to give 100% at work, home-school your children full time and keep the house spotless. Be kind to yourself and accept that you won’t be able to give your all to every area of life. Be realistic about what you can accomplish and don’t be afraid to say no if you’re feeling stretched thin.
Prioritise self care
This can be something you do alone or with your family, but it’s more important than ever to make time for activities that make us happy. This could be something as simple as taking a relaxing bath, meeting a friend for a walk or ordering a takeaway and watching a film with the kids.
It’s easy to get caught up in a stressful cycle of work, chores and school and it’s never selfish to prioritise your needs one in a while.
Use your support networks
Many parents will need their support networks more than ever, whether that’s in the form of family, friends, neighbours, carers or children’s teachers. If you need an hour spare for an important meeting, see if someone could read to your children over video call, or ask a neighbour to keep an eye on them in the garden.
Support can be both practical and emotional and keeping in touch with family and friends helps to reduce feelings of anxiety and isolation. Many people have been touched by the community spirit and camaraderie around them and those close to you are sure to be happy to help.
Don’t be afraid to reach out for professional support either if you need extra help. This could be in the form of practical resources, such as these from the National Autistic Society, or the guidelines from Emerging Minds which explain how to support children who are anxious about the pandemic. Parents and their families may also want to seek professional help from a counsellor or therapist to help them balance life during this difficult period.
Talk to children
Talk to your children about how they’d like their day to be structured, even if they’re very young. Once you know what they’d like, you can think about how that could fit in with parent’s work and responsibilities. Children are also likely to be more anxious and require reassurance. Remind them that their teachers and friends are still there to support them, even if they can’t see them face to face at the moment.
Your child also may have questions about coronavirus or feel anxious about their future. Keep information as simple and factual as possible and highlight the positive steps people are taking to keep everyone safe.
Combine learning and fun
Parents may feel overwhelmed at the moment and like there’s an impossible amount to cram into each day. Give yourself permission to be flexible where needed and accept that most days probably won’t go entirely according to plan. There are plenty of activities that combine learning and fun if you’re looking for smart ways to combine work and family life. Try a combination of any of the following:
● Cooking a new recipe together. Weighing ingredients can encourage children to use their maths skills.
● Exercise together. This can be indoors or outdoors and it doesn’t have to be running or a structured sport either. Find something you enjoy, whether that’s skipping, dancing, walking or an aerobics class.
● Children can practice spelling and handwriting by writing letters to family and friends.
● Encourage children to draw or write stories about what they’re looking forward to after lockdown.
● Read new books together or write your own short stories.
While a child’s learning is very important, these truly are unprecedented times, so be kind to yourself. Parents can also reach out to teachers or early learning staff if they need ideas about how to make learning at home easier.
Speak to your employer
Experiences will vary greatly depending on the nature of your work and responsibilities, but it’s important to speak to your employer if you’re struggling. Think about what would benefit you the most, whether that’s flexible hours or reprioritising some of your workload. It also helps to come prepared, so explain any potential home-schooling schedules and the hours that you’re finding most difficult to balance. Employers understand that this is a highly difficult and unusual time and many people won’t be able to work in the same way they did before.
Open communication with your employer will help you come up with a plan together about how you can be the most productive, without sacrificing family responsibilities.
Exceptional childcare in Nottingham - From Sandfield Day Nursery
If you’re looking for a safe, happy and stimulating environment for your child, get in touch with the team at Sandfield Day Nursery. We understand that the past year has been extremely tough for families and we’re committed to providing the highest quality care possible for children and babies aged from six weeks to five years old. We aim to keep our prices as competitive and possible and can offer a range of flexible care, from full time, to part time mornings or afternoons. You may also be eligible for up to 15 hours free care a week as per the government initiative.
Our staff are committed to going above and beyond to meet the specific needs of each child and we’re doing everything we can to ensure our nursery environment is safe for both children and staff. For more information about our facilities or to discuss your childcare requirements, give us a call today or contact us via the website.
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