10 Things to Try when School-at-Home is Causing Anxiety

By Norrine Russell, Ph.D. & Monica McGuire

Here are ten tips to try when you or your child start to feel overwhelmed. Tell these to yourself and verbalize them to your kids!

1. Remind yourself that whatever you and your child are trying to learn right now is not an emergency. Your child will have time to learn what they need.

2. Decrease your expectations. True homeschooling parents spend months (possibly years) developing an organized curriculum and daily flow. Figuring out what works best for your family will take time — and that’s okay!

3. Have some special one-on-one time instead of school. Connect, listen, relax together. Let your child tell you what they’d like to do together.

4. Do yoga or go for a walk. We are all going to need sunshine and vitamin D right now.

5. Look up jokes online and take turns finding the silliest, corniest ones. Laugh until your bellies hurt!

6. Make cookies. Or cake. Or whatever. Cook or bake together and make something you don’t usually make. Or a comfort food that you love.

7. Start a daily journal of what you wish you could be doing and what you’re thankful for. Your child can write or type this and share it with family and friends.

8. Plan an imaginary trip together. Look up hotels and attractions somewhere you’d like to go as a family and learn all about it. You might learn some social studies this way even if it’s not exactly on the common core for your child’s grade! Maps and history and geography are important no matter how and when they are learned.

9. Play a board game or a card game! Almost all games build executive functioning skills.

10. Take a nap — by yourself or with your child. These are stressful times and sleep is restorative.

About the Authors

Dr. Norrine Russell, Ph.D. is the founder and owner of Russell Coaching. With twenty years of experience creating positive youth development and parenting education programs, Dr. Russell has extensive knowledge of child development, learning styles, special needs, and positive parenting philosophies. She blends this knowledge to provide students and parents with comprehensive support and the tools they need to grow and thrive. You can read her full bio HERE.

Monica McGuire is a professional writer who struggled with Dyslexia growing up. She was lucky to have proactive parents who sought out the people and resources she needed to learn and grow. These positive experiences with her tutors, teachers, and parents, have fueled a passion to support children and parents on their journeys. She’s had the opportunity to do this through her writing and numerous child-centric jobs including school administrative assistant, children’s librarian, and teaching assistant (for students with ADHD and learning disabilities). Monica has a bachelor’s degree in English (writing concentration) and a master’s degree in Library and Information Science. She lives with her family, two of whom are neuro-atypical, in Michigan where they enjoy playing cards, streaming shows, hiking, kayaking, and skiing together. You can reach her at monicamcguire100@gmail.com