Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Home Office for Parents

In Coronavirus times, parents with kids at home mix work and family, in the same place...

The quarantine caused by the Coronavirus pandemic has forced a significant sector of the population to carry out their daily office tasks from home, and if the situation already seems overwhelming to you, imagine all the things that came to mind for parents with kids at home.

Do you remember the video that went viral very quickly where a man is in a videoconference with the BBC, and his little girls come into the room dancing while this happens?

Well, something like that is the mental image that first comes to mind for all of us when we hear Home Office followed by the sentence: children at home.

The social distancing, not leaving the house, the schools closed, the jobs sending their employees to do Home Office, the daily duties of the house, looking for new forms of entertainment; with all this happening, it becomes indispensable to look for ideas that make this new process of bringing work and family together, in the same place, easier.

Naturally, there is a learning curve and a higher level of commitment to handle a role in a workplace that is entirely online. Now, involving children in this scenario can make things much more interesting (and apocalyptic). Those parents looking to successfully perform their work tasks from home, in times of Coronavirus, are forced to find a proper adjustment. Here are some ideas for handling it in the best way:

Designating spaces. Besides looking for a corner of the house where you can do your work in the most professional way possible (a clear place, with good light, if you make video calls as much as possible look for a wall in the background, work utensils at hand) you should also consider assigning an exclusive space of silence and concentration (away from the TV) where your children do their homework, study and/or read.
It is also essential to define in which areas of the house they can play freely and in which they cannot (such as in your work area during working hours).

Set schedules, rules, and a daily program. Plan what time you will work, what time you will all eat together, what time your children will study and learn... and very importantly, don't forget to include time for recreational activities. Explain to your children that this does not mean that they are on vacation, that they have to keep you coming to work (in a different format), and that there is a time for everything.

Be disciplined. Stick as much as possible to the schedule you have structured. In this way, the work area will not be more important than your family time, and you will be productive. Not to mention that you will leave a great lesson of consistency and responsibility to your children when all this is over.

Keep your children entertained, busy, and creative. At this point, try to get creative: organize a talent contest, ask them to build a fort, search for hidden treasure, do a costume runway show or memorize a dance choreography. These days the educational material available for free on the web has multiplied exponentially. Whether you want your children to continue learning, exercising, creating crafts, origami, reading, or playing... In this link, we give you practical ideas for entertainment at home that will keep your children busy and their imagination flying.

Shared responsibility with your partner. If both parents are working, divide the day as much as possible so both parents can make progress on work issues, childcare, and household matters.

Give yourself a break. This rule is general: whether you are working from your office, at home or any other place. Taking a 10-minute break once in a while is very healthy. Set the alarm to schedule 10-minute breaks to refill your cup, stretch and clear your head. Don't forget that your unfinished work won't go anywhere. A very common mistake that people make when they do Home Office for the first time is wanting to be connected day and night, so it shows that they are responsible and are working and not taking a vacation. Be conscious of the importance of a good rest and its benefits.

And finally: ENJOY IT. Look at this crisis caused by Coronavirus as an opportunity. We don't know how long it will last but we also don't know when the chance to spend so much time enjoying our family will occur again, make it worth it.

And remember: Get tested!

Where can I get a test for COVID-19 in Los Cabos? Visit our link to find more information about it.

Why is COVID-19 testing important? COVID-19 testing will help you protect your family, your community, and yourself.

It will save lives!

BlueNetHospitals - Hospital Los Cabos

BlueNet Hospitals

Blue Net Hospitals