CWJobs has partnered with parenting expert Mother Pukka to give tips and advice on utilising tech to help juggle working remotely with home-schooling your children: https://www.cwjobs.co.uk/advice/parents-working-from-home

CWjobs, the leading tech job board has released new research which reveals British parents are struggling with anxiety and stress as a result of having to home-school their children whilst they also work from home during lockdown.

Previous research from CWJobs found 80% of IT decision makers believe remote working would increase productivity in their business. However, productivity under current circumstances is likely proving out of reach for many, but especially for parents as they face an additional challenge: the balance of working from home and educating their children in light of continued school closures.

Lockdown anxiety

The wellbeing of the family unit is being put to the test during this period of lockdown, and many parents are anxious about the future. Over two thirds (68%) feel stressed about having to work from home as well as look after their children. Longer-term, 81% of parents also worry about how long the lockdown will continue for and the affect it will have on their jobs, as well as their children’s education.

For those having to home-school their children, 71% reported they find it most difficult to set – and stick to – a routine. 70% said their children simply don’t listen to them, and 61% admit that sibling dynamics may be suffering, as they can’t control or stop their children from arguing.

Work burnout

Working from home can take its toll on parents – the lines between home and work can often become so blurred that many continue working way past the end of the workday. Answering calls and opening work-related mail during the evening is something that many parents will admit to, and it can eat into precious family time. There are ways to make it easier, however. Using a London virtual office, for example, can redirect work-related calls and mail to a virtual number and address so that they never impede on your personal life at home. This also helps to keep your location and identity private from clients and customers who you would rather not know where you live, helping to protect those you live with too.

Can’t teach, won’t teach

With the start of the new school ‘term’ now underway, over three quarters (79%) of parents are concerned about their children’s education. Two thirds (63%) admit they find it difficult to understand their children’s schoolwork and can’t actually teach them the set curriculum. The concern is highest (85%) for those with children between 7 and 13 years of age.

A united front is strengthening family bonds

70% of parents find it a challenge to keep their children entertained and supervised, so parents are having to be more adaptable with their schedules and rely on online tools to help them through the working/teaching day. Technology is helping to ease the pain of quarantine, allowing parents to multitask their work, as well as educate and entertain their kids through the use of various online tools and platforms.

Despite the national struggles of lockdown, there are a few positives to be gleaned from the crisis. As work life, home life and school life blur into one, over three quarters (78%) of parents say that the situation has united them and brought their family closer together.

CWJobs has partnered with parenting expert and Heart Radio presenter Anna Whitehouse (Mother Pukka) to help families successfully navigate lockdown, by offering advice and top tips on how technology can assist with working from home and home-schooling the kids during lockdown: https://www.cwjobs.co.uk/advice/parents-working-from-home.