How to Manage Kids & Other Responsibilities at Home

It’s been over a month of working or studying from home – how are you juggling your children’s cries for attention, daily food and snack requirements, or home schooling needs?

 

Maybe you also have a partner or roommate who craves attention, or requires you to make meals, or complete household chores? Here, we’ll help you find the balance you need to maintain strong work or study skills andyour household obligations.

 

Make a list each morning of the tasks you need to complete for the day. If you know you need to complete laundry or make dinner before the end of the school day, use your break times to meal-prep or start a load of laundry. Try not to deviate from these times, as you’ll need more structure to maintain a positive balance between studying and household chores. If your kids are at home and require home schooling, ensuring it fits with your study schedule, choose a routine time each day, and set a calendar reminder for the time you need to return back to uninterrupted work.

 

Both your family, employer, and/or instructor should be aware of the times you’re on and off the clock. Your spouse and children should know that when you’re studying or working, you’re not “physically” available to assist them as much. By setting these boundaries, it will help you stay on track.

 

Whether you have a toddler or a preteen at home, try to opt for activities they can do without your constant supervision. For a younger child, set them up with a tablet or home computer and connect them to an online, educational game or program. For a slightly older child, suggest they write a creative story, read a book, do a puzzle, or watch something educational, such as nature and wildlife videos.

 

Set time aside each day, whether it’s for lunch or dinner, that you can be fully-present and actively participate in quality conversation with your children and loved ones. Talk about the day – exciting moments or what you accomplished – and catch up “properly”, as you would if you were going into work or school each day. Encourage your family and kids to save their favourite highlights of the day for this designated quality time, so you have more things to discuss and converse with no distractions of work or studying.

 

Don’t be afraid to ask your children or loved ones to pitch in and help with chores, cooking, cleaning, and other responsibilities. Maybe it’s your turn to make dinner, but someone else can be responsible for loading the dishwasher or folding the laundry. If everyone has a role, you’ll feel slightly less overwhelmed.