I have been speaking to a number of parents this week who have said that their children are beginning to 'burn-out' and are struggling to maintain their motivation for the supported home learning programme.
I have also been speaking to a few Mums and Dads who have said that they are simply tearing their own hair out and feel that they themselves have 'hit a brick wall' this week too!
PLEASE DON'T PANIC and please be assured that you are not alone in feeling like this! We totally understand that this is difficult for everyone - especially for those parents with children of various ages at home and for those who are key workers / working from home.
If your child is having a rough day, let them take a break! Don't stress about getting every single task done! Let them choose one task from their pack for that day and be content that they did their best on what was a rough day! We all have rough days from time to time - children are no different! Encourage them to take time out, to do something that they enjoy and most importantly, re-assure them that it's ok to feel de-motivated from time to time.
As parents, if you feel yourself getting stressed and frustrated, or if you feel like your patience is starting to run thin - ABANDON SHIP!
Take a break from the home learning! Let the house stay messy and let the wash-basket stay full for a day! You cannot fill your children's emotional cups with support and encouragement, if your own emotional cup is empty! Take the kids out for a walk in the fresh air, cuddle up on the couch for a movie and let Big Mac / Moreno Landi / Ronald Mc Donald sort the dinner! Just do whatever it takes to 'reset' everyone's emotions and when the kids head to bed, run a long bath and pour yourself a cuppa or a glass of whatever helps you to relax and chill out!
I promise you that a day spent 'refilling' everyones emotional cups, will make the following day and the days that follow much better!
We have ONE WEEK to go until 'MID-TERM'! Come Friday, we will all be looking forward to a full week and two full weekends of no learning packs, no screens and no Seesaw! Let's just take it one day at a time and start the count-down to mid-term!
I hope the tips below will provide some support, reassurance and advice for anyone who is finding it tough at this time
