OCTOBER 2020 • LONGISLANDPRESS.COM 37
BACK TO SCHOOL EASING INTO ACADEMICS
BY DONNA DUARTE-LADD
Many parents have either had to lessen
their workload or do not feel supported
in balancing their children’s remote
school day as well as their own workload.
According to the Maven Clinic and
its commission survey, 57 percent
of working parents do not feel fully
supported by their employer as they
navigate child care decisions for the
fall, and 63 percent are undecided on
child care options for children younger
than 18 years.
We spoke with Mercedes Samudio, a
Maven parenting coach and mental
health provider, on strategies and
tips on having a school year in COVID
times, where balance is a work in progress
for all.
Students are doing virtual learning
in some capacity; how do we help
them in avoiding burnout?
Schedule breaks
during the day. Make a
plan for how the days
will look, and keep it
for a week or two, then
reassess if this current
schedule is working.
After seeing how they
are managing virtual
learning, send an email
to their teachers letting
them know of anything
that the teacher or
school can do to help
ease the overwhelm.
With so many parents now working
remotely, how can parents shut off
after work? This is a proactive space,
meaning that you have to set a schedule
and do your best to stick to it. For example,
Parents need to make sure kids aren’t overwhelmed. (Getty
Images)
decide when you’re done for the
day based on your workload and your
scheduled work hours. After those
hours, turn off notifications to work
apps/email and do your best not to
check them until the next workday. Be
sure to schedule breaks as well during
the day so that you aren’t overwhelmed.
Many parents are on auto control.
How can they take care of themselves
when really they are never
alone? This is the toughest
because each family operates
differently. However, one way
is to get a good understanding
of how your family works
— when does everyone get
burned out, when does everyone
nap (if they do), when do
we eat, etc. I suggest taking a
two-week period to observe
and investigate the rhythms
of your family. Then, once
you have that, you can develop
a plan for everyone to
have downtime, free time, or
calm time. Making a choice to
be proactive about caring for yourself
is a habit that has to be built up and
reassessed. Be gentle with yourself as
you’re making these transitions.
This story first appeared in New York
Family
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