Tips for more home schooling

As more parents face the reality that school reopening isn’t happening quite how we hoped, we explore how parents in Leeds can cope with the pressures of working from home with kids.
Home schooling. Photo by Shutterstock.Home schooling. Photo by Shutterstock.
Home schooling. Photo by Shutterstock.

“We thought that the schools reopening around 1st June would give us some breathing space from what has been a very stressful period, however only one of our kids can go back, and even then its for at most two days a week,” explained Jonathan Ratcliffe from Leeds Office Provider Offices.co.uk

“Home schooling is one of the hardest things we have done as parents. The expectation and the stress, and at the same time we are trying to hold down jobs – it’s a nightmare scenario,” added Ratcliffe.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“You are going to have to plan well, get organised and work to a strict timetable if you want to get everything done. Equally, you will need to have a proper split between work, school, fun and rest.

“The first thing you need to do is lower your expectations of what you are going to achieve, both with work and schooling.

Start early at the same time each day - Routine is important for good sleep and mental health, for both you and your kids. School starts at a set time, so make sure you are ready and stick to the timetable.

Get dressed properly like teacher and student - Getting showered and dressed is important to divide sleep and school.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Create spaces for different activities - You might set up a teaching room (kitchen), quiet room (spare bedroom) and a play area (living room).

Structure your day like a school day - Teaching time, activity time, play time and lunch time – just like their normal school routine.

Make a plan with your kids - At the start of the day ask them what they want to do (within reason) so they feel involved.

Turn off your phone - How are your kids meant to feel involved if you are checking emails?

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Set aside breaks for TV, Ipad and exercise - Use these times to schedule work emails or calls.

Take exercise - Depending on where you live, if you have a garden or not – try to get some fresh air, this also allows you some headspace.

Finish at a set time, bedtime at a set time - By getting a routine drilled in early on, you can try to get the kids to sleep at a sensible time, thereby giving yourself some space to work if you need to.

Don’t be tempted to hit the wine - If you can, evening time will be the only real time you can realistically work. If you drink your concentration will be poor, sleep poor and you’ll wake in a grumpy mood.

Ratcliffe added: “It’s important to face facts – school isn’t going to be running as normal in Leeds until September, and so those of us working from home until then must get a plan together.”

Related topics: