Covid-19: How to manage working from home with children
RIVONIA – Sadag operations director Cassey Chambers advises parents to try maintain a routine through the chaos.
South African Depression and Anxiety Group operations director Cassey Chambers offers some advice to parents struggling to balance working from home and looking after their children during the lockdown.
“Working parents often develop routines around work and family time. Even if you prefer to stick to your routine and keep work to regular hours, you may need to re-evaluate,” said Chambers.
She added that the new normal was likely to combine greater flexibility with plans and schedules for non-standard working and family time.
“Drawing up a schedule of a routine for the day can help everyone. Also, try to maintain some routine/normalcy through the chaos.”
Chambers suggested discussing with your spouse to have time-out where you can focus on work and rotate so both spouses can get periods of productive working time.
She also suggested changing working hours by trying to work early in the morning or later at night when children are sleeping.
“There are various options. Try to remain flexible. Cut yourself some slack. Not every day will be easy.”
If you are struggling to cope, call their helpline on 080 021 2223, 080 070 8090 or 080 045 6789 or the suicide helpline on 080 056 7567. These helplines are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
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