Many schools in Georgia are beginning the fall semester remotely, holding a mix of in-person and online classes, or leaving it up to parents to decide what they want for their children. No matter what happens, one thing is certain — this school year is going to be much different, and potentially much more difficult to navigate, than a traditional school year. In today’s post, we’re going to cover a few tips that will help you and your child navigate the challenges of distance learning.

If your family’s situation has been made more difficult due to difficulties with child support , child custody , or a divorce , contact a family law attorney at Fairell Roy & Associates in Atlanta for a virtual consultation. We understand that this is an extremely difficult time for families and will do everything we can to protect you and your child’s interests.

First and foremost, take the time to understand what your child’s teachers will need from you in the coming weeks and months. Know that you aren’t supposed to learn how to become a teacher in a matter of weeks; rather, you will need to understand how you can support your child and keep them engaged as they work through their courses. If your child’s school hasn’t released information about what they expect from parents, don’t be afraid to reach out for answers.

As we mentioned in a previous post , creating and sticking to a routine is one of the best ways to keep you and your family grounded during an extremely uncertain time. Your child’s day-to-day routine may change depending on their courses and how the school chooses to structure each week, but you can help your child maintain a sense of security by prioritizing elements of their homelife such as:

You may need to adjust your routine depending on your own work schedule and other factors beyond your control, but see if you can find a core set of activities and habits to incorporate into each week.

If you’ve been working from home in the last few months, then you’ve probably noticed that it can be difficult to separate home and work. This is particularly true if you don’t have a home office that physically partitions your professional life from your leisure time.

Your child may find themselves in the same situation, so see if you can find a space that you can dedicate solely to school. Maybe you can convert part of a guest room into a virtual learning space. Or, perhaps you can repurpose a corner of your home office that isn’t being used. Every situation is different, but the ideal setup will make it easy for your child to leave the virtual classroom behind once the school day is over. The space you choose should also be free of clutter, distracting noises, and close to your router for a strong WiFi connection.

Working, learning, playing, and doing virtually everything else at home can all take a toll on your child’s mental well-being. No matter how well your child seems to be doing with their virtual classwork, be sure to encourage them to take breaks throughout the day to stretch, walk around, and take their mind off of school for a few minutes. Even something as simple as having them help you make lunch or walk the dog around the block can be a great way to reset and relieve stress throughout the day.

You should also keep in mind that your child no longer has recess and after-school sports to keep them physically active, so make time in your day to get the whole family active. Socially distanced walks, frisbee in the park, bike rides, and other activities that allow you to adhere to state and local recommendations are all excellent ways to promote physical activity and blow off steam after a long day.

While the tips we’ve discussed in today’s post can certainly help you and your child navigate the unprecedented challenges of learning remotely, legal issues within your family can make life unnecessarily difficult.

If you’re experiencing hardship due to issues with child support , child custody , or you would like to learn more about filing for divorce , we invite you to reach out to Fairell Roy & Associates for a virtual consultation.

As part of our ongoing commitment to helping Atlanta families stay informed, we are also holding live Q&A sessions frequently on our Facebook page. We allow viewers to ask questions publicly or confidentiality if you aren’t comfortable with your name being shared. Above all else, we want to help you and your family find a place of peace in an extraordinarily challenging time.