By now, we all know that following social distancing protocols and slowing the spread of the novel coronavirus that causes COVID-19, has forced many children to attend school online at home. In addition, parents are frequently working from home, which can create some challenges for everyone. How to care for children while schooling them at home, as well as getting work done in the same space? All while not panicking?
As they say, we are all in this together. We’ve got some tips on how to get through it this fall. First of all, make sure you have a place to work, and the kids have a place to learn. You’ll need to gather and organize all materials and supplies needed for both activities, so that you can be efficient and maximize learning. Also, make sure you have a schedule or routine for everyone in the house. And don’t forget to schedule some much-needed breaks, for you and for them! Finally, think of some positive reinforcement rewards, as well as socializing opportunities. It’ll make it easier to stick to your plan the next day.
The time is now—work from home and live on the gorgeous Central Coast with 580 acres of open space plus private access to the Summit Club. Most of our homes have office or flex spaces; make the smart move for you and your family. With relocation on the rise, and working from home now being embraced, the Meadows and the Groves at Rice Ranch is the perfect location.
For more great tips and ideas, check out these 20 Tips for Working From Home by PCmag.com. Here is a short excerpt:
- Maintain Regular Hours – Set a schedule, and stick to it…most of the time. Having clear guidelines for when to work and when to call it a day helps many remote workers maintain work-life balance…
- Create a Morning Routine – Deciding you’ll sit down at your desk and start work at a certain time is one thing. Creating a routine that guides you into the chair is another…
- Set Ground Rules with the People in Your Space – Set ground rules with other people in your home or who share your space for when you work. If you have children who come home from school while you’re still working, they need clear rules about what they can and cannot do during that time…
- Schedule Breaks – Know your company’s policy on break times and take them. If you’re self-employed, give yourself adequate time during the day to walk away from the computer screen and phone…
- Leave Home (Go Outside) – Leave the building at least once a day. Your body needs to move. Plus, the fresh air and natural light will do you good…
- Keep a Dedicated Office Space – In an ideal world, remote employees would have not only a dedicated office, but also two computers, one for work and one for personal use…
- Socialize with Colleagues – Loneliness, disconnect, and isolation are common problems in remote work life, especially for extroverts. Companies with a remote work culture usually offer ways to socialize…
- Don’t Be Too Hard on Yourself – The most successful remote employees have a reputation for being extremely disciplined. After all, it takes serious focus to do any full-time office job from an unconventional space…
And for more advice on homeschooling online, don’t miss these 7 Back To School Tips For Homeschool Parents from CalvertEducation.com. Here is an excerpt:
- Order Your Curriculum and Outline Your Child’s Education Goals – Students unboxing their Calvert homeschool curriculum. Make sure you have ordered your curriculum, so you can start to outline your child’s education goals for the first few months of the year…
- Create A Space For Learning and Work – Every homeschool student needs a consistent area that can be their place of learning and work. You may have a different place for art, science experiments, and messy projects (like the basement), but overall, your child needs one place to complete projects and study. It does not need to be an office (kitchen tables are fine), but ideally, the best place for learning is one free from distractions…
- Ease Into Your Teaching and Learning Routine – For your student, it is highly likely that switching from a summer of fun and relaxation to a schedule of learning won’t be as easy as flipping on a light switch. With that in mind, the last thing you want is a lot of adjustment chaos when your school year begins…
- Connect with Support Groups and Friends – A key component to a successful year of homeschooling is connecting with support groups and friends. It makes guiding and teaching your child easier when you have a circle of people you can rely on…
- Plan Out Meals and Easy-To-Make Snacks – The first few weeks of homeschooling after a summer vacation can be a tough adjustment for everyone. Minimizing the things that could be disruptive to the learning flow is especially important…
Working from home has long been a desire for many Americans, but now it can be more challenging than ever when faced with other parenting, homeschooling, and home management tasks. At Rice Ranch, keeping socially distanced, staying safe, and getting work done is all possible!
Make an appointment today, and change your life.
