Everyday life at work and school provides the structure, support and accountability that we need to move forward in our productivity and learning goals. During this time of pandemic related disruption, many parents are now working from home and supervising children learning at home. And they are doing this within a “new normal” where their working and learning environment that normally provides structure, support and accountability has been turned upside down. As an ACSI ministry partner who specializes in employee well-being, I’ve spoken with many parents in the past few weeks regarding this issue. In talking with parents, I’m hearing that the biggest problematic issue they are facing is not related to the rigor of their children’s schoolwork. Rather, their greatest difficulty is in creating and sustaining family routines that help everyone to stay on task. As we adjust to the next month of managing a “new normal” regarding work productivity and schoolwork at home, good routines and good communication are essential. Good Routines:
Most of the parents I have spoken with report that they are struggling to get their children to shift away from a “snow day” or “spring break” mentality. They also realize that their children are struggling to understand and process what it means to live in the middle of a world-wide pandemic. For these reasons, they find enforcing the usual routines and boundaries to be difficult. During this time, it is important to maintain some family structure with consistent: Wake times for each family member Mealtimes with specific tasks assigned to each child Quiet time hours when work and school assignments will be completed. Play time hours when family members get out of the house and move their bodies Bedtimes for each family member Good Communication: Circumstances and people are often unpredictable, so along with good routines, consistent communication is also important! Gathering the family once a day to have each person report on the 5 questions that can help families go from mere survival to a sustainable “new normal.”. 5 Questions:
Navigating this “new normal” is not easy especially since, at this time, there is no clearly defined endpoint. But opportunities exist within every circumstance in life, including living in the middle of a pandemic. By focusing on good routines and good communication, families can continue to grow in their productivity, learning and well-being and, perhaps, grow in their connection with each other as they learn to work together as a team. |
About the author:Ginger Hill is a Christian wellness speaker, coach and consultant and the founder of Good Health for Good Works where she helps the earnest, but often exhausted, workers in Christian organizations to take steps toward healthier living so they can fulfill their organization's mission with energy, excellence and endurance. Archives
March 2022
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"But the godly will flourish...Even in old age they will still produce fruit; they will remain vital and green."
Psalm 92:12,14 (NLT)
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Psalm 92:12,14 (NLT)
All Contents Copyrighted © Ginger Hill and Good Health for Good Works 2017-2022. No part of this website or any of its contents may be reproduced, copied, modified or adapted,
unless otherwise indicated. You may share this website by any of the following means:
1. Provide a back-link or the URL of the content you wish to disseminate.
2. Quote extracts (with context) from the website with attribution to www.goodhealthforgoodworks.org