Last week I shared some suggestions about managing work and family during lockdown. In this article I will share more suggestions on how you can get through this challenging time.
Unique challenges for parents
While the pandemic has been difficult for all, the challenges we have faced and continue to face are all unique. Parents have found themselves being pulled into two directions. On one hand, they have to continue to work and provide for the family. On the other hand, they have had to step up and help their children manage their school work. Additionally, many children have struggled to accept the new restrictions in their lives and have needed support in managing their disappointment, grief and worries.
New pressures and lack of time
Parents never have a great deal of free time. Working from home has not necessarily lead to more free time. Instead, many have even less time than before.
Your lockdown commute may only take a few seconds but time saved on traveling to and from work has now been taken up by more work. Working remotely is not always the most productive or efficient. Also, the demands of working remotely require adjustments and changes which in return take time to get used to.
Work may also just simply take longer to complete. It is difficult to be productive when the work environment is not ideal.
Add children to the mix and you find yourself being pulled into multiple directions simultaneously.
Read Part 2 of my article about managing remote work and family demands on The Gottman Institute’s blog.
You can read Part 1 from last week here.
Matleena Vanhanen is a licensed Counselling Psychologist with over 20 years of experience working in Europe and the Middle East. She has a practice of couples and individual therapy at the MapleTree Center in Dubai.
