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Are you struggling to find family harmony in quarantine days?
If you answered this question with a yes, you are not alone. I applaud all of you. Frustration levels are on the rise unless you come up with workable answers. Spending so much time together isn’t a bad thing. But when you combine working from home with assisting school-age kids in online classrooms, you’ve got a lot on your plate. This is a new dynamic for most families.
Schedule your days in positive ways.
Sleeping in might be okay for Saturday and Sunday, but not as good for a weekday schedule. Depending on when your work day begins, wake up at the same time Monday through Friday. Keep a good habit in place. Eat breakfast at the same time you would if you were commuting to the workplace. Routines are healthy for emotional and physical well-being. The same holds true for children. Routine is expected when school is in a physical building. Why not expect the school day to begin on time irregardless of when the Zoom teaching starts?
Parents fare best if their child’s/children’s time works around a plan.
Yes, parental planning is required. But the payoff is far better than hearing, “I’m bored.” Think up extra curricular ideas. Create a chart where progress is visual. Dangle a reward, like a new Lego set, basketball or hair product, for doing independent reading or viewing a learning lab. Science centers, like OMSI in Portland, OR have multiple at home learning experiences for all ages. Whatever your student is interested in: art, plants, rocks, dinosaurs, planets, whatever. . . find ways to include “bonus” distance learning. Planning reaps blessings, adds fun, and diminishes stress on home-based school days.
Unemployed parents I know this is hard, but don’t lose hope.
Frustration is known to ramp up when paychecks aren’t coming in as before. Anger is not the right solution. Perhaps you are an employee or business owner who suddenly joined the nonessential worker ranks. I empathize with you. But please don’t lose hope. The pandemic will one day come to an end. Do what you can to keep your bills paid. Go after those unemployment benefits in place and be thankful for the stimulus check with your name on it. Ask for help when the cupboards are near bare. Together, with teamwork, you will overcome those financial troubles.
Choose to remain a source of encouragement.
The biggest challenge any of us face in quarantine days is how to remain a source of encouragement to our families. With God’s help, this is possible. Pray together. Try reading Bible passages out loud as a family. They are full of wisdom and calming to the soul. Rest assured, God has not left us to search for harmony on our own.
