This school year has, undoubtedly, been unlike any you have experienced before. Regardless of whether your kids are in-person, hybrid, or remote, there is a good chance you’ve undertaken a variety of these options this year.
And it’s probably driving you crazy.
So here are three things that you and your family can do to bring stability to your home no matter what is happening at school:
Keep the Same Schedule
By keeping kids on a consistent schedule, you ensure that there is less chaos and more predictability in their lives. Kids’ little brains are sensitive to change; they respond well to structure.
Imposing structure is important because it helps them to manage their anxiety and regulate their behavior. Therefore, implementing structure will make your life easier in the long run.
Some ways that you can impose structure include:
- waking them up at the same time
- feeding them at the same time
- having them complete homework at the same time
- going to bed at the same time
If you can construct a schedule that is consistent, you will control what you can. This means one less wildcard to manage.
Communicate with Teachers Early and Often
Even in regular times, it’s difficult for teachers to meet the needs of every student. Under the current circumstances, it is nearly impossible. As such, it is up to you and your child to get your educational needs met.
Granted, this imposes a burden on every family, and that may anger, frustrate, or overwhelm you. That is totally fair. But, unfortunately, this is where we are right now.
The silver lining is that this is a remarkable opportunity to practice self-advocacy skills. Those skills will serve your child well right now and in the future. So welcome the opportunity and make the most of it as best you can.
If your child is struggling, start communicating with their teachers on regular basis. Encourage your child to do the same. As Instagram reminded us, “if your child can learn a whole Tik Tok video in an afternoon, they can learn to send an email to their teachers asking for help.”
Get Help
Speaking of help, you don’t have to do this alone. If you need help, find a way to get it.
There are thousands of online resources that you and your child can tap into for free. Maybe you have fellow parents who are willing to shoulder the burden with you. Or you can do a pod. Perhaps you know a young adult who is studying to be an educator who can pitch in for a discounted rate.
There are also teacher’s aids, caretakers, babysitters, and tutors that would love to help your child navigate their school work so that you don’t have to. They are all over the internet, and The Chicago Family Tutor happens to be one of those resources.
Help with school work and remote learning is the perfect thing to outsource because it not only frees you up to do other stuff, it also helps to preserve your relationship with your child. Nothing is more valuable.
Except maybe your peace of mind.
Hiring an education professional to help support your kids as they navigate remote, hybrid, and in-person learning will provide you support, relief and peace of mind, while offering a sense of stability and consistency that regular school just can’t offer right now.
So consider the options, and bring some structure, continuity, peace, and calm to your home today.