Working Parents: Bring Old Routines into Your New Normal
With schools closed and child care largely unavailable, being a working parent is more challenging than ever. How are you supposed to make it work? The good news is you don’t have to reinvent your schedule. In fact, it’s better not to. Stick to old routines as much as possible. Maintaining your regular schedule will give you a firm foundation to support both your work and family responsibilities. Create a weekly calendar that lists these routines at a high level. Next, break them down into tasks, and block off time for each one. Set boundaries around your work time, and if it’s possible, assign shifts to different family members for tasks like meals, chores, and child care. Be sure to schedule breaks and unstructured time to unwind and connect with your partner and kids. This is going to be a marathon, and it’s important to prevent burnout. Building on your existing schedule, rather than starting from scratch, will help you do your best to stay productive at work and present at home.
“A Guide for Working (From Home) Parents,” by Avni Patel Thompson