How to Combine Homeschool and Remote Working – Tips To Create Stress-Free Working Atmosphere

Just as us adults are struggling to adapt to working from home, our children face the same struggles with homeschooling, too.

After all, it takes some time to get used to a new schedule. And it can feel a little strange doing everything you would normally do at work and school, in the home.

Homeschooling and remote working are stressful enough on their own, but when you combine them it can be a recipe for disaster. The good news? You’re not alone in this, and we’re going to show you how to take away the stress from this perfect storm.

3 top tips for effective homeschooling

Before we get into the tips, you first need to stop trying to emulate the classroom! Just as working from home is different to working in the office, so is homeschooling different from the traditional classroom!

Now, here’s how you can make your homeschool routine a little more stress-free:

#1 Remove easy distractions

Kids get distracted by anything, particularly when they don’t want to be homeschooling. So turn off the TV and give them a clear desk space to work from.

#2 Make use of online resources

Game-based education is an excellent way for kids to learn without feeling bored or under pressure. Whether they’re doing online math games, or filling in worksheet puzzles, it’s amazing how much they can take in while having fun.

If your kid(s) seem to be struggling with homeschool one day, don’t force it — let them play educational games instead. It’s not perfect, but it’s a happy medium that can still complement their studies.

#3 Take learning anywhere

A lot of learning takes place out of the classroom — and kids are missing out on that, too! By meeting up with friends, or playing in the park, they learn essential social and practical skills.

While there’s not much you can do to replace the social side — although a Houseparty or FaceTime call between friends is always nice! — you can jump at the opportunity to take your learning outside. Go for a walk, or explore the backyard — what can you see? Link your findings to science and nature worksheets, for added engagement!

3 top tips for effective remote working

Making sure the kids continue with their classes while at home is one thing, but how do you stay on top of your own workload while all this is happening? Here’s how to really get things done…

#1 Create a designated ‘office’

As much as we’d all love a home office, it’s not always an option. But you do need to create some sort of ‘office space’, so that you can establish your boundaries and avoid working overtime.

You associate home with resting and relaxing, not business, so it will take some getting used to. But carving out a dedicated space — however small! — will help you focus when you go there to work.

#2 Set expectations

“Quiet” might not be a word you associate with your household. But when you’re trying to work, quiet is what you need.

Set expectations and create a routine that gets the house quiet, even in the middle of the day. With clever scheduling — over lunch, during game or TV time —, and a little trial and error, you can have meetings or get work done for hours at a time without being disturbed.

If you’ve got a partner at home, take turns to be on homeschool duty. That way you can each have a chunk of each day that’s saved for work.

#3 Don’t forget to unplug!

Just one more email, just one more task — it’s easy to work after hours when you’re at home. But this can lead to burnout very quickly indeed.

Remember to schedule in some downtime for you, too! Ask yourself: is this task really necessary before I start it at 10:00 PM?

Bringing it all together…

Both homeschooling and remote working can be effective on their own, but can you keep that efficiency when you have to do both?

Of course! The most important thing is to plan well, find some sort of routine, and make sure you’re not being too hard on yourselves. The following three shortcuts will help you out…

#1 Have a realistic daily schedule

If you plan to get five hours of professional work done, and oversee a half-day of homeschool, with a healthy and delicious lunch in the middle, you’re simply setting yourself up to fail.

Instead, be realistic about what you’re able to achieve as a family. Break the day into chunks, and be comfortable with rearranging priorities as the day goes by.

#2 Use the gaps

Children are pretty unpredictable, right? Some days they will take up all of your time, and crave your attention constantly (snacks, snacks, snacks!). But sometimes they’ll find something they enjoy and stick to it for hours.

This is where you have to be quick, and fill those gaps! Making use of all of these extra moments can really help you get tasks done, particularly if your work involves a lot of admin or management.

#3 Have regular breaks

Kids can suffer from burnout, too. And the more you try to cram in, the more frustrated they can get.

Allow yourselves a break without feeling guilty! Sit in the sun, go for a walk, or even do some stretching and ignore your other responsibilities for a minute. Force yourself to take breaks and your all-round health will thank you for it!

It’s all about working together

The secret to stress-free working from home is all about knowing yourself and your family — and doing what’s best for all of you. Don’t try to model your schedule on someone else; you’ll only be trying to fit a square peg into a round hole.

Build on your strengths and work around your weaknesses, and you’ll cut out the stress from homeschooling and remote working altogether! Good luck!