Stress of home schooling

Psychologist and Wellbeing Consultant Lee Chambers MSc MBPsS, GolfSupport.com said there is increasing pressure to homeschool effectively.

Parents want the best for their children and they feel guilty if unable to give them undivided attention and worry it may impact their future performance.

Lee says that children will miss out on the social connection and structure of school, and while elements can be replicated, there are certain struggles around the technology and learning culture in some households. While some children may thrive in a home environment, others will find it difficult to adapt.

“Overall, many parents are more likely to feel stressed, worried, isolated, and subject to domestic conflict,” he explained.

“This will likely have an adverse long-term impact on mental health and perhaps widen the inequality gap.

Some of the key signs of childhood stress are include increasing aggression, becoming withdrawn, overracting to small issues, nightmares, change in eating habits, lack of attention and wetting the bed.

“Increased screen time has an impact on stress levels and ability to handle stress,” added Lee.

“Increased screen time affects melatonin production, which can cause sleep quantity and quality issues. This can impact hormonal and emotional regulation, impacting ability to handle stressors the following day.

“It can also elevate our cortisol levels, making us feel more stressed and again impacting our sleep. It can also cause eye strain, which results in fatigue and makes it more challenging to handle stressful situations.

“Screen time also impacts GABA (Gamma-Aminobutyric acid) production, and children who have increased screen time have decreased GABA production, impacting their mood, stress levels and sleep.”

It is important to set boundaries and create a schedule that can become a routine that everyone can resonate with.

A schedule gives structure and purpose, making parents feel more in control and more certain about what is planned. By communicating boundaries, everyone understands what will happen, and there is less likely to be conflict.

Finding ways to relax in the evening is paramount for a good night’s sleep, which will recharge and give the emotional balance to tackle another challenging day. Eating well is also essential as 90 per cent of serotonin - happy hormone - is produced in the gut.

“It is also important to be kind to ourselves. Keep it simple and fun, and expect for things to go wrong, and prepare to laugh when they do,” added Lee.

“Try to manage your own emotions, as it is not easy with so much turbulence.

“If you feel like you need a minute, step away and take time to breathe, to be silent or just to close your eyes.

“Consider writing your thoughts and feelings down, as transitioning them onto paper is powerful.

“It helps us to be more self-aware, and that is an effective way to manage our stress.”

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