Updated: November 23, 2020
Originally Published: November 20, 2020
Hello, fellow parents! Just kidding, we’re not really going anywhere. Except for my old classmate from high school, who won’t stop sharing vacation selfies from Cancun. Seriously, Alex?
Instead, we’re all navigating the delightful adventure of distance learning. Settle in and brace yourself for what’s to come—or in my case, pace around your living room, completely losing your mind, and praying to your personal health guru.
I’ve been working from home full-time for over a decade, during which I intentionally had two kids. Yes, you read that right. I’ve always had minimal childcare because I bought into the myth that women can juggle everything. I might as well be leaning into Sheryl Sandberg’s pinky toe at this point.
These days, of course, I have little to no childcare and still have those two kids. My partner is an essential worker, so I’m piloting this ship solo in the land of “What on earth am I doing?” To be fair, I have plenty of privilege (figuratively, of course… yikes), so if you think this is just middle-class complaining, you’re not wrong.
As a self-proclaimed expert in remote working while kids attempt to wreak havoc, here are a few tips to keep in mind:
- Transparency. You may not have noticed this when your child was in a physical school, but they share everything with their teacher. “Ms. Thompson, my mom told me to check my math, but then she said something about ‘duck math,’ and I’m confused. Also, she keeps wearing these odd tiny shorts.” (Seriously, teachers deserve way more than they get.)
- Work Calls. Stop hiding in your bathroom. That’s a rookie move. Entering the bathroom is a clear signal to your kids that you’re ready for them to follow and ask questions. Instead, find a different spot, and if you’re on a Zoom call, just say your video isn’t working due to “bandwidth issues.” Just a warning: even if you mute yourself, the moment you unmute to say “Great job, Lisa,” your youngest will yell, “LOOK WHAT I FOUND IN MY NOSE!” (True story.)
- Siblings. If you’re lucky enough to have more than one child, you’re in for a challenge. One child distance learning is manageable; two is like herding cats; three or more? You might have to choose a favorite and let the others fend for themselves.
- Schedules. Remember that email from Kelly, the class mom, about being punctual for all video classes? Set alarms for five minutes before each class. When that snoozed alarm goes off nine minutes later, you can panic and say, “What was supposed to start four minutes ago?” Then, get annoyed at your child for their time management skills. They really need to learn.
- Job Performance. If you identify as male or somewhere on that spectrum, congratulations! People will find it adorable when little Jamie gives you a sticky hug during a meeting. If you identify as female, though, you’re seen as a hot mess—but at least you can multitask, failing at your job while simultaneously juggling home life.
Good luck out there!
For more insights on home insemination, check out this other blog post from Home Insemination Kit. They also provide excellent resources on pregnancy and home insemination, including information from Women’s Health and Intracervical Insemination.
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- How to manage distance learning with multiple children?
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Summary:
As schools close once again, parents are thrust back into the chaos of distance learning. With minimal childcare and the challenges of remote work, multitasking has become a necessity. From managing sibling dynamics to navigating work calls, parents are juggling it all—often with humor and frustration. Useful resources for home insemination and pregnancy are available for those seeking guidance in these uncertain times.