6 Tips For the Quarantine Parent

Say it with me:
I am not my child’s teacher
I am not the custodian at my child’s school
I am not on the cafeteria staff at my child’s school

I want to take that pressure off before we proceed. Now that’s out of the way we can continue.

You are not your child’s teacher.
Some may be, but many of us are not. As mothers we tend to take on so many roles already, we must understand that we are not supposed to turn into the entire staff at our children’s school. Some schools are sending work over via email and/or setting up google classroom. Please don’t go overboard and have your children doing all of this extra work from sun up to sundown. This will eventually exhaust you both. See, this is the time when the perfectionism and comparison monster comes out to play. If you have a chart for your children that structures their day good for you if you don’t have a chart good for you too. You are not your child’s teacher. This is a new territory for everyone and it will take some adjusting. There is a new normal going on right now, and you need to give yourself some grace.

Listen to your children. 
Yesterday I did some work with my youngest son and he said: “that’s not how my teacher does it.” I simply let him show me how they do things now. I did not want to force him to do it my way because it was easiest for me. That would undo all of the work his teachers have imparted in him this entire year. I was actually glad that he spoke up because it saved us a lot of time. After all, I was blinking and using a lot of scratch paper trying to figure out these new math tricks on my own...lol. So he actually saved the day. Encourage them when they do well. Transparency is key, it lets them know mom is not perfect and she’s not afraid to admit when she doesn’t know something.

Be patient with yourself.
Trust me, I understand not wanting things to fall through the crack. Let’s be honest, we try to be as proactive on the front end because when things do fall through the cracks, we are normally the one who has to fix that too. Let’s face it, that becomes one more thing on our plate that we just don’t need. But, you can not work from home, do the laundry, write the book, build your brand, check the stock market, watch the news, cook dinner, spend time with your boo, micromanage the kids, workout, live right, keep your hair on point AND keep your lashes on without having some patience with yourself.

Work together as a family.
This will help you get through this. Most of us are spending the majority of our day in or around our homes. Since there may be more productivity in the house put the children to work. This is not a vacation! I repeat this is not a vacation! Let them help out with the excess dishes, taking out the trash that becomes fuller faster, and clear the dinner table. Yes, I love to hear “thank you the food was good.” That’s cute, and I surely appreciate it, but the compliment that warms my heart the most is when we tackle that kitchen afterward.

Laughter is medicine.
I have never seen so many funny videos and post in my life. Keep them coming. Let your hair down and laugh a little or a lot! Don’t be so super serious and deep about everything that you forget to enjoy life. Play games with your family put on some music and let loose. Cabin fever will set in and become way too much if you let it.

Pray!
Last, but definitely not least, we can not become so occupied that we forget to spend time with God. This is the time to not just listen to him, but we must make sure to listen FOR his voice. What is God saying through this time? We can not become sluggish in posturing ourselves before God. We need peace and clarity now more than ever. That comes from our relationship with God. I know after a long day we are tired, but even just a little time in God’s word and in prayer can set the tone for your entire day. If nothing else,

Lord, I thank you for keeping us safe. Protect us from any hurt harm or danger. I thank you for going before me and making my crooked path straight. Order my steps of today. Lord, bridle my tongue when necessary.

In Jesus name

Amen.

See, Simple it doesn’t take a whole lot.

Well, I’m going to start my day. I pray that you have an amazing day as well. Remember you can do it, simply because we are all in this together.

Timeka

The Strategic Mom Coach💙

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