04/29/2020
Lets’ face it when you work 40-45 hours a week plus commute, which for some can represent 1-2 hours a day, spending 24 hours a day inside with your spouse and children, trying to work from home, while also trying home schooling your children can be quite the challenge.
In conversations I’ve had with clients, friends and colleagues lately I realize that maybe the solution is changing our frame of mind, reinventing ourselves, opening ourselves to new adventures. Seeing this crisis as an opportunity to become better, more resilient, more patient, more empathetic, is what will save us and help us from going crazy.
Here are some of the ideas that came up in conversations:
1- Have separate work spaces: Kids homework can be done in the dining room or kitchen, hubby can work in the office or bedroom and mom can work in the basement. I have a client that set up her office in the storage room. Another one in the garage (hope it's heated :()
2- Set expectations: Be prepared, it won’t be perfect, you will all get on each other’s nerve and that’s ok. Kids will get distracted and will have a hard time to concentrate on homework and online classes are not the best motivators for anyone let’s face it.
3- Make a list: Tasks should be shared, make a schedule, who takes the garbage out, who empties the dishwasher, who does the homework with the kids every day. Who does the groceries, who cleans up etc. The more you delegate the better and less frustrated and stressed out you will be.
4- Be supportive, ask questions: Ask your spouse what he is working on or use your spouse as a sounding board, share your concerns, make them part of what you are dealing with. How many spouses complain that their partner does not communicate, comes home and doesn’t talk about anything. How many times have I heard from clients “ he or she doesn’t talk to me, I have no idea what he or she does all day, I did not know she or he was under so much pressure at work because he or she doesn’t tell me. Well now is your chance to find out 😊
5- Have some fun, change it up: Breakfast for dinner, camping in the basement, ask the kids to teach you how to play video games, do puzzles with your kids or even with your husband.
6- Learn new things: Go on Youtube and search for “10 easy science experiences – that will amaze kids.” For adults, go on “online-learning.harvard.edu” for free online courses.
And if all this doesn’t help and you are someone who believes in God or some higher power well repeating the following prayer every day, all day long, might do the trick 😊
“God grant me the Serenity to accept things I cannot change, the Courage to change the things I can and the Wisdom to know the difference”.
We are all in this together, share you thoughts, frustration, new discoveries, funny moments with friends and family through Zoom, Facebook chats, Facetime, Jus talk etc…..Just remember you are not alone.
