Let’s face it, sheltering in place is no cakewalk when you’re trying to run a business and be a parent.
Published: April 24, 2020
Between scheduling Zoom calls with clients, checking over math homework and somehow feeding everyone, you might be a bit overwhelmed, which is likely an understatement.
Manage Your Expectations
To start, understand that this will probably not be the most productive time in your company’s history— and that’s OK! You’re now a full-time educator, parent and business leader. It’s quite a lot to manage, so be sure to also manage your expectations. Accept that your children will likely not complete every school assignment that comes through and you might not be able to tackle every task that calls your name in a day. The name of the game is taking it one day at a time and prioritizing the mental, physical and emotional health of you and your family members.
Set Clear Boundaries
You might not be able to get everything done, but setting a few healthy boundaries can help you feel satisfied with your accomplishments as a family each day. Set up clear workspaces in the house for you and your kids. When you are in those spaces, you will all feel more focused and able to complete work tasks and school assignments. Try building a daily schedule, both as a family and for each individual. Challenge your children to use their playtime to explore outdoors or invent new games to keep them occupied and learning. When you can, step away from work and family and spend 30 minutes doing something refreshing, like reading a book or calling a friend.
Utilize Your Resources
The whole world is in this together, which means you don’t need to feel alone on the hard days. When you really need to buckle down and finish a project, don’t be afraid to utilize a bevy of online resources to keep your children occupied. If you’re normally strict on screen time, you might need to ease up a bit, for your own sanity. From virtual museum tours to celebrities reading children’s books on video, the options are endless and sure to entertain all ages experiencing cabin fever. If you get bogged down running your business, reach out to your support system for encouragement, including networking groups and your business partners or employees. You might be surprised how much others are ready to help.
Are you an Alabama business owner? Here are our top recommendations to set your business up for success during the COVID-19 pandemic:
- Get financial aid to keep your business afloat through the U.S. Small Business Administration.
- Secure your Alabama business through worker’s comp insurance from Cerity.
- Share ideas with fellow business leaders through the Alabama Small Business Development Center Network.