CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- As many parents brace for another round of remote learning, a wellness expert offers tips on how to start the new school year off on the right foot.
Students learning from home while their parents are also remote proved to be challenging this spring. Health and welness educator at Chicago’s Soma Institute, Monique Costello said to get off on a better foot, parents should find some alone time at the start of the day.
"You might've even just had a commute that was your alone time, and now you don't have that," she said, "so you need to set some boundaries of when is 'mom-time', when is 'dad-time'."
That time is not to get a jumpstart on work emails or check out social media, Costello said.
"Use that time to exercise or journal, or sit in silence. It helps you start the day more positively," she said.
Costello suggests letting the kids help set boundaries for remote learning, set realistic expectations, and give each other plenty of grace.
While starting with self-care might sound selfish to some, she reminds parents the airlines tell us to put on our own oxygen mask first before we help others.