Lockdown has been difficult for all of us, but it’s been particularly challenging for those with school aged children. Not only have we put immense pressure on ourselves to meet their educational needs, but the lack of routine and loss of our own freedoms have created something of a pressure cooker situation in many households. If you’re struggling, here’s what you need to know.
Don’t put too much pressure on homeschooling
One of the biggest issues that parents have faced since the lockdown restrictions were put in place has been homeschooling. None of us want our children to fall behind with their work, but on the other hand we’re simply not qualified teachers- and teaching for many has proved much more challenging than we originally thought. It’s easy to put pressure on yourself, compare yourself to other families on social media who seem to have it all worked out. The best thing you can do is simply do what you can, don’t put so much pressure on you or your children that it becomes a miserable experience all round. Utilise the online resources available and any work that’s sent over from your child’s school. If your child has additional needs, access things like dyslexia resources to make things easier to learn. If your child isn’t putting in a full ‘school day’ of work every day then don’t beat yourself up about it.
Find fun ways to build additional skills
Teaching kids their academic work can be difficult for us as parents, but something we all find easier is finding other ways to build skills. It could be getting out in the garden and teaching kids about plants, it could be cooking and baking together, or teaching them about any hobbies and skills that we have ourselves since we know a lot about them. It’s a good way to get children interested in new things and they’ll build all kinds of life skills along the way.
Make time for rest and relaxation
The pandemic is a stressful time for everyone, we’ve all lost our freedoms, many are experiencing financial difficulties and some are losing their lives. The world is in chaos and we’re all adapting to a new ‘normal’ which can be stressful regardless of age. So making time for rest and relaxation is always a good thing, for your children as well as you. If you feel stressed and frazzled then your kids will likely pick up on this and it will cause stress to them as well. So make time to read books, watch movies, sit in the sunshine and play games. Do what you can to recuperate and have fun too.
Get some exercise
Finally, getting up and getting some exercise will improve both your mental and physical wellbeing. Get your bikes out, go on long walks with the dog, take a football to the park and play a game. Just be mindful of the governments social distancing guidelines and ensure you’re keeping apart from people who don’t live in your household.
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