Top Tips for WFH Parents Turned Teachers

1. Ditch Your Expectations

Beautifully crafted, Pinterest-worthy schedules may work for some. Initially, it worked for me too. Most kids, especially mine, do better on a schedule. But this isn’t the ‘norm’ and we’re finding our children with more angst and anxiety than usual.. My ADHD’er struggles with what’s coming next, how long do I have to do XYZ… Most important is their mental health, as well as yours. By not applying so much pressure to them or yourself, it will be a more enjoyable and productive experience overall.

2. Carve Out Pieces of Time… For Work and for Play

Zoom meetings, Google Classroom, Microsoft Teams, Epic… Things that were not part of the whole fam’s vocabulary are now the household slang.. Figure out what the must-dos and must-haves are for each day, and pencil in some fun time. Something to look forward to. Those breathers will get you through the day and allow you to transition back to the next set of must-haves and must-dos.

3. Make It Fun

Use what you’ve got - Pinterest and IG are great places to get some ideas. But also take a look around your house. Try to think of how you could use what you have, differently. Magnets and muffin tins for spelling and word making? Yes! Kitchen tongs and pom-poms for math and fine motor? Absolutely!

Look for something new - We weren’t prepared to become teachers overnight. That much is true. But simple pieces might be all we need to get us through this time. How about a prize wheel as a reward system for getting some school work done, or helping with chores?

Or maybe an a-frame for practicing writing, or drawing, or even making a schedule together?! I don’t know about your kids, but with anything new or different, or hasn’t been used in a while, my kids get super excited about it. Switch things up, and you might be surprised at how the ‘attitude’ changes.

4. Get Outside

A breath of fresh air can help immensely, for you and the kiddos. When I was in the office full time, going for a walk on a nice day on my lunch break was exactly what I needed to get into a better mental space for the afternoon. The same applies here—if not more so. Get out some energy, soak up some Vitamin D, and then we can all regain some focus.

5. Communication Is Key