Every cloud has a silver lining: Family
My husband and I both work full time, and with the closure of all schools, our 4-year-old daughter stays home and we share the care/entertainment/education time 50/50. Although this is challenging and I appreciate teachers more than ever, it also offers a unique opportunity to spend time with our child.
We've found a system:
- We send calendar invites to each other for when we have important calls, so the other person takes care of our daughter and whatever other distractions might need attention.
- We also try to balance a weekly average of 50/50 time-wise.
- We agreed to stay healthy Monday - Friday to manage energy levels and food intake given the lack of movement.
So 50% of the time, we get to study, play and engage with our daughter. It is rewarding to be such a big part of her learning and development. And I'll be honest - she helps us to move to the extent that we can find space and place to do so.
As she is learning 4 languages, her Swedish and Italian are improving massively at the moment, and she gets to discover the little games, stories, and traditions from our childhood; such as my life long favourite Pippi Longstocking!
It is truly rewarding! We would not have gotten this opportunity and gift of time if it was not for the closedown.
Perhaps this period will lead to a bigger portion of parents requesting to work 50% or 80%? Will the corporate world be willing to offer it?
What family moments have you managed to carve out?