Times are rough! Who would’ve imagined that the world would stop functioning in the correct format and we would all suddenly find ourselves in a quarantine. Even though I’ve always helped my children with homework, I certainly wasn’t prepared to homeschool them. And I’m a stay-at-home-mom!
If you’re a nurse who has no choice but to go to work, I cannot even imagine the magnitude of emotions you’re tackling right now. I, at least, have the choice to stay home and work around the current situation as best as I can. You are justified in feeling overwhelmed, helpless, and even guilty for having to leave your kids home while they fend for themselves entirely on their own. Even old fashioned homeschools have a parent available throughout the school day to guide their children through course-work.
Well, as a start, please toss aside your mom guilt. It is difficult enough already to leave your kids home and head off to work. You need to do this right now if you wish t to remain sane. I’d urge you to look on the bright side and consider the quarantine as a valuable experience for your child whereby they’ll develop into more independent and responsible human beings. The skills they pick up now will serve them in the long run, I promise. So, stop stressing out.
But I’m also here to present some workable solutions to tackle the issue of homeschooling your kids during the quarantine when you cannot be physically around to guide them. So, here goes…
1. Plan your schedule the night before:
My kids’ teachers send a detailed plan on Sunday night. It is helpful to take a glance at it in order to guide our day. However, I have three kids under the age of twelve and all of them have their unique personalities. My eldest likes to stick to the outline provided by her teachers but my other two kids like to switch things around. I’m okay with that. As long as your kid will finish what’s assigned, let them do their work out of order. Now, this advice may not apply if your kids have scheduled Zoom meetings. In our case, the meetings only center around Math and Literature on certain days of the week. If you are in a similar situation, then you’re free to plan your kids’ day around the virtual classroom. Make sure you keep your kids involved in the planning process so that everyone is on the same page.
2. Prepare lunch box(s) like you normally would:
The first week of homeschool, I found myself preparing breakfast, brunch, lunch, linner, snack, you name it… between the hours of 9 and 2. Kids are always hungry! It got exhausting and overwhelming very fast. I knew I had to have a routine in order to save my sanity during quarantine. Besides, kids thrive on following a routine. So, I started packing their individual lunches the night before. I know that involves some planning and organizing but, trust me, it is totally worth it. I leave their lunch boxes on the countertop and allow them to reach for snacks at 10 a.m., like they would’ve if they were in school. Lunch is served promptly at 11:45. I realize you don’t have the luxury to set the lunch table for your kids but at least there will be some relief knowing that they won’t be digging around for snacks.
3. Assign a family coach:
CommUNITY is the word. It takes a village to raise a child and now is the time to bring on help. If you have an adult in the house while you’re at work, have them supervise. If your child is old enough to be left home alone, you could still make some arrangements for virtual supervision sessions where a responsible adult can stick around and answer questions. Their virtual presence can also simply serve as reassurance for you and your child even if this doesn’t necessarily serve the purpose of homeschooling. I know it’s not the same as someone physically being there for them but we’re in uncharted territory, here. I know of a friend whose mom swings by a couple of times a day and keeps a watch over her grandchild while sitting in her car! You have to do what’s necessary to make the quarantine a bit easier.
4. Swap teaching role with colleagues:
Find other nurse moms from your child’s school and connect with them. On days you’re not working, offer to virtually supervise and/or teach their kids along with yours and ask if they’ll return the favor. Nobody has to be perfect at teaching any subject. It is understood that you’re a nurse and not a teacher. The main idea is to be there for one another and get through this in the best possible way.
5. Find a study buddy:
I spend my mornings assigning work to my kids and then run from one workstation to another to help them resolve issues. It can get cumbersome when I’m trying to balance the housework, cooking, etc. My eldest came up with the perfect solution when she decided to connect with her classmate virtually and tackle homework. It’s great to see them problem-solve. If your child can connect to a virtual study buddy, that will prove very helpful.
6. Focus on what’s important:
Our typical quarantine school day involves Math, Literature, Science, Spanish, Music, Physical Education, and Art. All of these subjects are important, but I have to be honest with myself. While it is very helpful to know music, language, art, and P.E., it is absolutely important for my kids to master Math, Literature and Science. Their subject matter will only get denser as they grow older so I’m doing all I can to solidify their foundation. I’m not a teacher, therefore, I can only indulge so much. My brain hurts by the time the school day ends. So, it is not a high priority for me to guide them through language, arts, and the other stuff. It is what it is, I tell myself. Take the extra load off your shoulders and stop feeling guilty for doing so. Nobody knew we would all become teachers before the first quarter of 2020 could even draw to a close. Let’s cut ourselves some slack.
7. Be flexible:
If the 9-2 timeframe simply doesn’t work, tackle school work in small chunks: My youngest is six. She’s a great kid who does no resist learning but it is hard for her to maintain a solid attention span beyond fifteen minutes. I’m not going to lose my hair over it. It is okay if her school day doesn’t end at 2. It is perfectly okay if she decides she’s ready for Math at 5 p.m. I’m choosing to be flexible. Maybe your child wants to attempt Math homework after you come home because they’re comfortable working with you. Yes, you’ll be exhausted but make yourself a cup of coffee and let them work next to you. Make the best of the situation. This quarantine, hopefully will be temporary and time will pass. Have faith.
8. Check in on your kid multiple times during the day:
It is hard to be away from your kid, I know. It is even emotionally draining to be in an environment where you are constantly surrounded by coughs and sneezes, not knowing who has the virus and whether or not you too will end up ill. Your child is probably concerned about you too but is afraid to express their feelings. Call them throughout the day to reassure them, as time allows. Stay connected.
9. Try to be emotionally there for each other:
We’re all in this together, riding an emotional roller coaster. Encourage your kid to keep a journal and record their feelings. Perhaps they could write a note to mom while she’s away. Maybe penning down their thoughts is sufficient. At the minimum, journaling will help them process and emotionally deal with the situation. At best, they’ll improve their writing skills, and that is something that will always prove beneficial as they get older.
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