5 Tips for Finding Balance at Home

Istation’s mission has always been to help students succeed and grow, and in uncertain times, that support is even more important. With that in mind, Istation has launched a new video series, Red Cape Classroom, which we are highlighting on our blog for the next few weeks.

Parents, give yourself some grace. Working from home and maintaining your child’s distance learning schedule is hard! Istation’s Casey Henry has some simple tips on finding balance and joy amidst a jam-packed at-home schedule.

Tip #1: Give yourself grace.

It’s okay if things aren’t going the way you think they’re supposed to. It’s okay if today is the day that your five-year-old decides that due to all the extreme watching of Frozen, it would be a great day to build a snowman using sugar. Things will work out. So grant yourself some grace: take a deep breath and be kind to yourself.

Tip #2: Change your expectations.

Adaptability is key. I was an educator before working at Istation, and I know that teaching is about being 100% adaptable. While teachers are sending over lists of things for you to do with your child, remember that they are just plans. Sometimes plans change. Just be adaptable. Understand that things are not going to always go as planned, and that’s when you go back to tip #1 and give yourself grace.

Tip #3: Get creative.

Social distancing has affected us all. We can’t get out and do the normal things we might want to do like visiting a zoo, museum, or playground. Recently I found out that there are a lot of museums and zoos offering free online tours and activities.

Try searching your local zoo’s social media page to see what they are offering virtually that your children would enjoy watching. Be creative in meeting some of your child’s educational standards.

Tip #4: Have a schedule.

In Joyce Cullop’s Red Cape Classroom video, she talks about the importance of routines. Your children may be having a hard time right now with the switch in their schedules. They may not understand. They’re used to routine. They’re used to knowing that they get up at 7 a.m. They pack their lunch. They go to school. They eat lunch at a certain time. So make a schedule. And don’t forget to schedule some time for yourself as well!

Tip #5. Laugh, hug, and build memories.

This is such an exceptional time that we can use to really grow our family connections. Amid the hustle and bustle of the world these days and being socially connected online, we sometimes forget to focus on the most important people in our lives: the ones we live with in our home.

I encourage you to laugh with them and hug them. They’re scared. They may not have the words to describe it, but this is so different. It’s not just about us, it’s about them. Take the time to hug them and love on them.

Watch Casey’s full video “Tips for Finding Balance When Your At-Home Schedule is Jam Packed” here.

For more parent tips, check out Istation’s YouTube playlist “Red Cape Classroom: Educator Tips for Home-Based Instruction.” Visit the playlist to find all of the videos included in the Red Cape Classroom series.