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A Family/Work-at-Home Survival Plan in a Crisis
Gary Seibert • Mar 31, 2020
One of my neighbors is a family of 4, mom, dad and two teenagers. When I asked, “in day two of the lockdown, how is it going”? they replied “In the first 3 hours, we suspended one and expelled the other!” Not a good start to what might end up being a 3 to 4-week staycation (or longer).
Being Prepared
Possibly, if they had been better prepared for this situation, it might be a totally different story. So, I contacted by Daughter (Brandi) who lives in Colorado with her husband and two daughters and has been a work at home Mom for the past 7 years.
Below are a few points on how they have survived the COVID-19 in their household with two adults working at home while homeschooling a 3rd and 6th grader. It’s all about a plan.
- Get the family together to discuss and get buy-in for the plan. Be positive, this is not prison, just a temporary way of life until things get back to normal.
- Each night, put together an itinerary for the following day (school subjects to review, work to accomplish, chores to complete, meals, fun time, quiet time and family time).
- Keep to a basic schedule every week day and allow the weekends to be more, free and family.
- Get up in the morning and go to bed on schedule, keep to your normal way of life.
- Plan outdoor time/physical activity (ride bikes, take walks, play a ball game etc.). Indoor if needed. There are a multitude of physical activities you can do indoors. Check You tube.
- Always eat meals together and use this time for family talk and discussion. No negativity.
- Limit social media. Instead, play a board game, watch a movie, do a craft project together.
- If possible, designate one room or space as “the office”. More privacy, phone calls, webinars, teleconference calls, meetings etc. In addition, Brandi’s family also designates the kitchen table as the group workspace where the parents work alongside the kids. This works well.
- Adults, wake up before the kids to accomplish a little work before the kids wake up.
- Make sure that this experience is a positive one, uniting the family with bonding and love.
This is just one family’s way of surviving during this unique National Crisis. I suggest you call other friends that have children and are experiencing similar challenges. Different perspectives, different ways of dealing but hopefully similar results. You will survive and become a closer and more loving family by having a plan and sticking to it. Be flexible but have a plan!
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