Balancing remote work with kids during school breaks poses its challenges, yet transitioning from the relaxed pace of holidays to the structured routine of the school term can be equally demanding. Here are some practical tips to smoothly navigate this shift and swiftly regain your work rhythm:
Get Kids Back into School Routine Early
Establishing a routine for meals, bedtime, and chores a few days before the start of the school term can help ease the transition for both you and your children. Encourage earlier bedtimes to ensure your kids are well-rested and ready for the early mornings that come with the school routine. Set expectations for household chores to ensure everyone is pitching in and contributing to the smooth running of the household.
Check Uniforms, Stationery, And Books
Check your children’s school uniforms, ensuring they have everything they need for the term ahead. If there is a change of uniform due to season changes make sure that you check their uniforms still fit and ensure you have time to buy bigger sizes before they start the new term. Check that school bags are packed with the necessary stationery and textbooks. Replace any items that are missing or worn out. Make sure your children’s designated study areas are clear of clutter and ready for them to do their homework and study effectively.
Plan Your Term Calendar
Mark important dates in your planner, such as parent-teacher meetings, school events, exam and assessment timetables, and your children’s extracurricular activities. Take note of any changes in your children’s sports or activities schedule, especially if they transition from summer to winter sports in the new term.
Reset By Taking A Day Off When Kids Go Back To School
Consider taking a day off from work on the first day back to school to help ease the transition for both you and your children. Use this day to catch up on household tasks, organise your workspace, and reset your own routine after the school holidays. Spend quality time with your children in the evening, discussing their first day back at school and addressing any concerns they may have.
Prioritise Self-care
Navigating the school holidays while working from home can feel like a marathon, with constant juggling between professional duties and parenting responsibilities. As the kids head back to school and you finally have some breathing space, it’s crucial to shift gears and prioritise self-care. Those weeks of non-stop activity may have drained your energy and left you feeling depleted. Now is the time to schedule in moments of rest, relaxation, and rejuvenation to replenish yourself mentally, emotionally, and physically. Whether it’s indulging in a hobby you love, indulging in your favourite skincare range, taking long walks in nature, or simply enjoying a quiet cup of tea, make self-care a non-negotiable part of your routine as you transition back to your regular work-from-home schedule. Your well-being matters, and by investing in self-care, you’ll not only recharge yourself but also enhance your ability to tackle whatever challenges lie ahead.
Boost Your Immune System
It’s a scenario many of us have experienced: transitioning from a hectic, non-stop schedule to suddenly having more downtime. Surprisingly, this shift can sometimes leave us feeling under the weather. When we’re constantly on the go, our bodies adapt to the demands placed upon them. However, when that pace slows down, our immune systems may momentarily weaken, leaving us vulnerable to illness. This is not unusual and can be attributed to various factors, including changes in stress levels, disruptions to sleep patterns, and alterations in diet and exercise routines. In times of heightened stress, our bodies produce more cortisol, a hormone that can suppress the immune system. When stress levels decrease, our immune response may rebound, potentially leading to symptoms of illness.
Additionally, sudden changes in routine can disrupt our body’s natural rhythms, making us more susceptible to infections. So, while it’s important to embrace moments of rest and relaxation, it’s equally crucial to support our immune systems during these transitions to maintain optimal health.
Start Off Slow
One common mistake many work-from-home moms make is overloading themselves with work as soon as their kids go back to school. It’s essential to start off slow and ease back into your work routine gradually. Begin with a manageable workload and gradually increase it as you and your family adjust to the school term. Avoid burnout by setting realistic expectations for yourself.
Remember A Change In Routine Can Be Disconcerting
Even though you may think you have the whole morning to get things done when the kids are at school, a change in routine can be very disruptive and hard to adjust to. Be easy on yourself as you transition from the more flexible schedule of the holidays to the structured routine of the school term. Understand that it may take time for both you and your children to adapt to the new schedule and be patient with yourself as you find your rhythm again.
Transitioning from school holidays to the school term can be a challenging time for work-from-home moms, but with careful planning and preparation, it can be a smooth and manageable process. By starting off slow, getting your kids back into a school routine early, checking uniforms and supplies, planning your term calendar, and taking a day off to reset, you can set yourself and your family up for a successful start to the new term.
