The rampant spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19) has driven many countries into a lockdown, which has resulted in many employees working from home.
For people who are accustomed to working in an office space, working from home is a disruption to a system built over time. Navigating this trying time with children in the house can be daunting for many, but there are ways in which to make this period work. Here are a couple of tips on how to ensure productivity with minimal distractions from the little ones.
Keep to a regular routine
This can be adjusted slightly to make your new reality work. If you usually wake up at 05:00 to prepare for work and the school run, consider waking up at 06:00, getting ready, and then waking the kids up. While they bath and dress in comfortable home clothes, prepare breakfast. This process should be done by 08:00.
Ensure the kids do schoolwork during this time
For older kids, this time can be used to revise work, catch up on past work, and to prepare for exams. My sister is currently in matric and, although they stopped going to school earlier this week, she still wakes up at her normal time and prepares for the day ahead. She goes according to her school timetable and uses each lesson slot to catch up or revise on the specific subject.
As an adult, also keep to your work routine
If you usually take a tea break from 10:00 to 10:30, continue doing so. This time usually coincides with short breaks at most schools, so this time could be used to bond with your children while you take a break. Ensure to take a lunch break as well, trying to keep to a routine as much as possible.
Abenathi Gqomo
