When you are juggling home working, schooling and childcare as well as, for some, financial uncertainty, it’s no wonder family relationships across the country are under strain.
But there is no need to let the pressure of lockdown take its toll. A few strategic planning sessions and rotas could make all the difference to family life.
Dr. William Van Gordon, from the University of Derby says it will help to think of yourselves as a family task force.
He says: “Couples who can work effectively as a relationship team are likely to survive coronavirus much better, including financially, than couples who waste time arguing or ignoring each other.”
CREATE A ROTA
Family tidiness expert Shiri Atsmon of Helpful Kids says: “If there are two parents in the house, talk about rotating meals. Could one of you make lunch and the other dinner?” Shiri also suggests appointing a child to help with preparation each evening.
Hold a meeting to talk through how everyone can help keep the home neat and clean. Try a weekly rota with all your family members on it or create a pick-a-chore jar system in which you write jobs on ice lolly sticks and let kids pick one or two a day.
CLEAR CLUTTER
If you can, pack away anything you don’t need in labelled boxes and store furniture like coffee tables or extra chairs that can get in the way. This will give kids more space to run around and make your home easier to clean. When you feel cabin fever setting in, spend an hour or so changing the layout of your rooms or swap round lamps, cushion covers, rugs or pictures.
BE REALISTIC
This story is from the April 20, 2020 edition of Daily Express.
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This story is from the April 20, 2020 edition of Daily Express.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
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