ML Interest Tag: work-remotely

We Attempted to “Roadschool” Our Son in an RV & This Is What It Was Really Like

by Amber Guetebier
Partner Content

Every parent with school-aged kids has gone through the gamut of emotions when it comes to school in 2020. Hybrid, in-school, distance learning, Zoom classrooms… add in all the current travel restrictions and I’d be lying if I said it hadn’t crossed my mind to just sell everything and homeschool my kid from an RV.

While I’m not going to do exactly that, we are starting our year with distance learning. And since both my husband and I are working full-time remotely, we wondered: could we actually work and go to school, on the road? We’re a family of three, we’ve never vacationed in an RV together, and we wanted to find out. So, we booked a sweet ride on RVShare and hit the road for a fall adventure. Here’s what we discovered.

Keeping Connected

For our first time out there, I was nervous about trying to work successfully and connect for school from a more remote location or potentially even on the road. We opted to just do three days of school/work on the road and two weekend days. We booked directly on RVShare and were able to communicate directly with the owner to arrange pickup time and location. For the first part of our trip, we decided to stay somewhere a little less remote for the nights/days we knew we’d need a more reliable connection.

 

If you and your fam need access to Google Hangout or Zoom class meetings, make sure you have everything set up a few minutes earlier than usual. (It’s also a good idea to give your classroom teacher a heads-up in case there are connection issues.) I highly recommend you rent a WiFi hotspot, like this one. It works better and is way more reliable than using your phone.

Tip: If you get a device rental, activate it a day before and make sure it works before you even leave home. If there are any issues, you have a day to troubleshoot, well worth the extra money you spend for a day rental.

Use the Trip to Your Homeschool Advantage

We love fall and have tried to squeeze in fall day trips in the past few years, but this is typically such a busy time of year that it's hard to find the time to do a proper "epic fall colors road trip." Because of our remote work and learn situation, we were finally able to see some of the places on our bucket list and take in the gorgeous fall colors. Plus, it's a great time to travel because a lot of campsites are less crowded, and there's nothing like doing a Google Meet by the campfire.

History & Mystery

Traveling with kids is a great teaching tool. If you plan a few stops along the way, whether they are at quirky roadside attractions or important historical sites, you can turn a break into an important lesson. We stopped at the famous Paul Bunyan/Babe the Blue Ox statue which became the perfect way to discuss myths, legends and icons. (There are at least three states that claim Paul Bunyan as their own!). At the end of each day we took a little time to write in our journals.

 

Phy Ed

There are basically endless opportunities to do PE when you're camping. We used hikes as our PE every day, and made sure to track our steps at the end of each day to see who walked the most. I actually previewed the campsites online first to make sure that the places we were staying had ample hiking and walking opportunities from our site without having to pack up and drive. Plus, our RV was actually big enough that one of the mornings we did yoga inside!

 

Botany & Ecology

We planned stops at two different nature preserves, including a unique bog ecosystem, whose signage provided plenty of discussion points. Our son now knows exactly how carnivorous pitcher plants trap their prey, why bogs are fragile ecosystems, and what a Russula vomitus mushroom is (and why you should avoid it). We even saw a tree felled by beavers and one beaver in the pond building his home.

 

Math & Geography

We were hoping to purchase a pumpkin or two while on the road, and we lucked out when we happened upon a small town farmers market. We used this as a quick math lesson and tried to guess how much the pumpkin would weigh. I also had him calculate the total of our goods and see how much change we'd get back. We even all took turns trying to guess the cost of filling up the RV gas tank by multiplying the price per gallon times the number of gallons we thought the tank held. (We all guessed way under, but que sera sera).

You can also show your kids how to use a map. A real one, with the little lines that show you distance per inch, and latitude and longitude. Have them add up the total distances and compare it to the odometer.

Getting the Right Vehicle

We went big, and it was great! We rented a 31-foot Class C (the kind with the loft above the cab). It even had pop-outs that made a sizeable living area and was a newer model that handled really well (like a large van), but I will admit I was not that keen on backing it into sites or merging in traffic. For that reason, my husband became the primary driver, which worked well for our short little 5-day excursion but might not be feasible if you’re hauling your crew across country and need to take turns driving. My friend Sara @mightyandbright is currently on a two-week long road trip in a 25-feet motorhome with just her and her daughter, and she’s confident driving it herself, so size (and length) really does matter when you’re booking. RVShare has all kinds of vehicles, including tow-behind trailers, sprinter vans and larger motorhomes, so you can find something that fits your family’s size and budget.

A Few More #RVLife Tips & Tricks

I’m not going to list here everything we packed, nor will I give you my amazing recipe ideas for RV cooking (because I don’t have any). We brought a lot of ready-to-eat/easy-prep stuff and quite frankly, there’s a microwave in most RVs these days so I embraced it. (I don’t actually have a microwave at home, so it felt extra luxe). Here are a few things we did pack that you might not think of:

  • Anti-nausea medication. If you get carsick, you'll never be able to help your kiddo with their homework on the road without this. If they get carsick, well...you know the drill.

  • There’s a special kind of toilet paper for RV toilets. Your host will probably have some on-hand, but you may want to track down an extra roll or two if you have a big family.

  • Bring a little notebook to take notes as the RV owner is walking you through the basics. It will all make sense while they are showing you, but at 10 p.m. when you’re backing into a site you’ve never been to before, you are going to want a cheat-sheet of what to turn off before you plug in, etc.

  • You are probably going to have to deal with “the blackwater” at some point. Don’t panic. It’s not that hard, and we actually read this article before we did it, even though our host had walked us through. (Don’t know what the blackwater is? Mwah ah ah. You will.) But make sure you pack some disposable gloves for this job.

  • Bring your sense of humor! You will hit your head. At least once. (I hit mine three times, twice on the cupboard above the stove and once on the loft). The toaster set off the fire alarm (but hey, a toaster when camping is such a luxury!). It’s an intimate space, you are going to hear each other do pretty much everything. It’s all part of the family bonding.

  • Don’t forget a road map. A real, paper map or Road Atlas, just in case you need to find your way around when your phone GPS won’t connect. It’s one thing to go off-grid when you’re in a car, it’s another thing when you’re trying to navigate a 30+ foot vehicle. Plus, you can have your kids do some navigating and call it a geography lesson.

  • Book ahead as much as possible: unlike car camping you need to be sure that where you are going can accommodate the rental you have, by length. And while you’re at it, make sure at least one of the sites has a “sanitation station” for the blackwater or you’ll be googling it furiously one afternoon. (Actually, RVShare has a search for that, too!)

Can you live and work and do school from an RV successfully? I think the answer is yes. Our little experiment worked out nicely. And you’ll learn a bunch of cool stuff along the way, and not just by subject. Travel can show kids resilience, going with the flow and the positive effects of spontaneity. We can’t wait to do it again, this time maybe for longer, and we might even convince grandma to come along!

—Amber Guetebier 

All photos by Amber Guetebier 

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3 Remote Work Tips to Help Your Kids Adapt to Distance Learning

By Tracy Odell

Social media is overflowing with first day of school photos of our children sitting at their Instagram-worthy desks ready to learn from home. We’re all smiling for the camera, but behind the scenes the reality might be a wee bit rockier. We’re entering a school year full of uncertainty, but there’s one thing I know for sure: Transitioning to remote work is no joke.

At my job, I’ve been working remotely and managing fully-remote teams for four years. As a mom, I’m now also managing two boys who are tackling school work full time from home. Unlike in the spring when this remote learning experience was just getting started, teacher expectations are higher this fall. My children are expected to join Zoom calls for 4-5 hours each day and fully participate with cameras on.

What I’ve observed with my children and their friends is they are struggling with the transition to remote work in ways that mirror what I’ve seen in employees when they start a remote job for the first time. Adult or child, going remote is a huge transition that requires some trial and error to find what works best for you. Here are some common issues I’ve seen during the transition to remote work and how I’ve coached my employees through these rough patches. The same advice can help our kids with their own transition.

1. Lack of Focus: When you’re working from home it’s so easy to get distracted. Your dog looks like he needs a cuddle, there’s a message alert on your phone, and your neighbors are cutting their lawn. It’s hard to stay focused when there’s so much going on around you.

I’m a huge fan of old-fashioned to-do lists to help stay on track. Your child can keep a notebook or planner by their computer and before they start their day, encourage them to take a few minutes to list out what they want to accomplish that day. It could be just showing up on time to all their classes, completing homework assignments or volunteering to speak in classes.

For my own to-do list, I like to list things in order of importance so that when I start to drift away, I can use my list to center myself and remind myself of what I most want to accomplish. And don’t forget to cross things off your list as you go along. The very act of crossing something off your to-do list gives your brain a positive jolt that can help energize you for the next task.

There’s also a more high-tech solution to building focus that I recommend: noise-canceling headphones. These days it’s not unusual for four members of my family to be on Zoom calls simultaneously. Talk about a distraction! My noise-canceling headphones are my favorite pandemic purchase. They help me tune out most of the distractions when I need to concentrate.

2. Missing Social Interactions: Whether you’re transitioning from an office or a classroom, moving to full-time remote means missing out on in-person social interactions. I’ve seen this drawback of remote work be the hardest part of the shift for more social people. For others, it’s not a big deal at all. There’s no substitute for those spontaneous conversations that happen in the lunchroom or hallway, but there are some things you can do to make sure your children are still socializing and creating bonds if they’re missing them.

As an overtaxed parent, you may not like this advice, but you probably need to schedule time for your kids to chat. At my current job, we schedule virtual “coffee talks.” These informal get-togethers give us a chance to catch up and chat about anything and everything.

For kids, you can schedule calls with remote tools like Zoom or FaceTime so they can meet up with a few of their friends during their lunch break. While they eat, they can still have those relaxed conversations they’d have in the cafeteria or recess. Yes, it’s more screen time, but talking socially can be a real pick-me-up to help you power through the rest of your day.

3. Zoom Fatigue is Real: Simply put, staring at a screen all day really wipes you out mentally.

It’s important to take advantage of the breaks you get. I recommend that my employees don’t spend the five minutes between Zoom calls surfing the web or checking their emails. It’s important to get up out of your seat and move. Walking around is great, but don’t stop there. Throw in a few jumping jacks, air squats, or push-ups to shake off the mental fatigue.

Here’s the Thing: At work, I’ve seen some people transition to remote work almost seamlessly. They’re focused, productive, and happy working remotely. Others struggle and ultimately give up on it. Our kids are the same. Some will thrive and others will struggle. There’s no magic solution that will work for all children. This transition to remote learning requires patience, creative thinking, and kindness. Through trial and error, hopefully, your children will find their own version of remote work that works for them.

 

Tracy Odell is the VP, Content at FinanceBuzz. She's also the mom to two boys, ages 11 and 13, who are tackling school from home this school year.

 
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Study Finds Screen Fatigue Is Taking a Toll on Work from Home Productivity

by Jennifer Swartvagher

Working from home indefinitely is a significant adjustment for many, especially for parents balancing distance learning and remote work. A new survey found that 75 percent of at-home U.S. workers are experiencing an increased sense of digital overload. Many are not reimbursed for remote work essentials which is an added burden for parents paying for home learning supplies. 

As many navigate a new work style that can feel “always on”, Paper & Packaging – How Life Unfolds surveyed 2,000 new at-home workers to learn more about the impact of their changing work environment on productivity and mental wellness.

The report contributes to research on the long-term impact of remote work and helps companies understand their workers’ evolving needs. It reveals a surprising trend: as workplaces move online, an overwhelming number are experiencing digital overload, turning to analog tools to mitigate the effects of screen fatigue.

zoom

Commenting on the study, productivity and digital detox expert Holland Haiis noted, “When working from home, we tend to use multiple devices simultaneously. This not only causes greater digital fatigue, it increases eye strain, and we tend to experience brain fog much earlier in the day. Turning to analog tools is a natural impulse: switching to paper and pen allows the brain to relax, and have the white space for problem-solving.”

Working from home exacerbates digital overload as messaging, emailing and video conferencing have become the primary means of communication.“Using paper during virtual calls allows your brain to focus on what’s most important. When it’s written on paper, you’re able to stay in the conversation, as opposed to using another device and falling down the technology rabbit hole,” said Holland.

Many are reaching for analog tools to refocus, turning to pencil and paper to give their eyes a break from the screen. Printing documents allows workers to rely less on their devices and gives their brains a much needed break from technology.

With the possibility that working from home may be here to stay, many people are investing money in their home offices. Not all employers are reimbursing their workers for office essentials. The top items that have not been reimbursed are pens, pencils, notebooks and sticky notes. 

On top of coping with digital fatigue and virtual communication overload, distractions are also coming from within the physical work-from-home environment. Over a third of respondents blamed their diminished productivity on distractions created by the people they live with.Many cited distractions such as deliveries or construction noise. Others lost productivity due to not having the correct tools. 

—Jennifer Swartvagher

Featured photo: Gabriel Benois on Unsplash

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FlexJobs Survey Finds Working Parents Had to Quit or Reduce Their Hours Since the Pandemic

by Jennifer Swartvagher

Working parents are feeling the pressure and strain of the new school year which has been impacted by the pandemic. FlexJobs surveyed more than 2,5000 parents with children ages 18 and younger living at home. Almost half have needed to change their employment situation by either voluntarily reducing their hours or quitting entirely. 

zoom call

Many schools around the country have decided to open only remotely or use a hybrid approach. After a stressful spring, working parents found themselves trying to balance their career and childcare responsibilities in unprecedented ways. 

Working parents said having a flexible schedule (58%) would have the greatest impact on their ability to juggle career, distance learning, and childcare responsibilities. The survey also found that working mothers and working fathers report different experiences around changes to their employment, childcare, and distance learning responsibilities as a result of the pandemic.

“For moms, dads, employers, and the workforce at large, these findings offer insights into what it’s really like to juggle parenting and a career, and how flexible work options (or the lack thereof) can impact decision-making,” said Sara Sutton, founder and CEO of FlexJobs. “In order to help working parents not only stay in the workforce, but also be productive employees during this challenging time, employers should absolutely consider offering flexible schedules. When executed thoughtfully, giving employees more control over when they’re able to work during the day can help create the critical space they need to meet all their competing demands. The pandemic has really forced companies to see the struggles that working parents and other caregivers routinely face and hopefully has shed light on just how impactful granting remote and flexible work accommodations can be,” Sutton concluded.

Regardless of the challenges, about half of working mothers (49%) and half of working fathers (50%) still say they have been more productive working from home during the pandemic than when they were in the traditional office.

To help parents manage working from home and their children’s virtual learning responsibilities, FlexJobs offers the following tips:

  1. Communicate expectations with your team and let them know about your reality.  Some flexible work conversation starters:
  • To talk with your boss or coworkers: I want to share my current reality to give everyone a solid understanding and try to stay ahead of any potential problems.
  • To ask for more flexibility: I’d like to get a good sense of what my flexible work options are right now. The more I’m able to shift my schedule, the better I’ll be able to meet work priorities and stay productive during this time. 
  • For the beginning of meetings: As is the case with a lot of you, I’m working from home and caring for my ____ and ___ year old kids. I wanted to give you a heads up that I may get interrupted during our call but I’ll let you know, mute myself, deal with the situation, and jump back in.
  1. Let your boss know your new responsibilities with remote learning and ask for flexibility in your schedule. Prioritize the “live” classroom sessions as must-attend, and try to be close by when your kids are on them.
  2. Split-shift the workday. If you have a partner who can work at home, split childcare and work shifts with each other. That way, each day you each will have a designated time for work and a designated time for being with your kids. 
  3. Develop a focused learning space for your kid(s). For example, use a tri-fold display board to section off their workspace.
  4. Secure the fastest internet speed. This is important when there are multiple users at home simultaneously online. Use a plugin connection to the internet when possible.
  5. Recreate what your child’s classroom would have had with schedules, visual cues, binders, bins, etc. 
  6. Consider printing worksheets when possible. Most kids like the physical action of doing the work.
  7. Give yourself a break. This situation is extremely difficult and stressful, and no one will do it perfectly.  Working from home with kids is not what remote work is normally like. Outside of this unusual situation, most remote workers have regular childcare.

Additional tips and resources for working remotely during the upcoming school year are available in a free recorded webinar hosted by FlexJobs and K12, available here: https://www.flexjobs.com/blog/post/distance-learning-tips-parents-webinar/.

—Jennifer Swartvagher

Featured photo: Chris Montgomery on Unsplash

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Vrbo Data Shows Pets Are Becoming a Part of the Family Vacation

by Jennifer Swartvagher

Pets have always been a part of the family, now more and more are being brought along on trips. Now that families are spending more time at home between distance learning and working from home, Vrbo has seen a strong interest in fall trips overall. Families are looking into road trips close to home so they can easily jump in the car and bring their favorite furry friend along with them. 

Vrbo data reveals a more than 50 percent increase in families traveling with pets this fall, compared with last year.

“The increase in people looking for pet-friendly getaways is yet another pandemic-driven change in travel,” said Melanie Fish, Vrbo travel expert. “Many families are making the best of the flexibility to work remotely and attend school virtually. They’re booking Vrbo stays later in the year, staying for longer periods of time and driving instead of flying. These new circumstances make it easier to bring pets along for a fall family break.”

Vrbo offers some tips for families looking to travel with their pets: 

 

  • Use search filters and pay attention to amenities: When looking for a place to stay, make sure to use Vrbo’s “pets allowed” search filter to find pet-friendly properties. Pay close attention to property details, photos and amenities to understand what’s available at the vacation homes you’re considering, such as whether they have a fenced-in yard or are close to pet-friendly hiking trails.

 

  • Check for fees and house rules: Some homeowners may charge a pet fee or have extra house rules for bringing furry guests, so before booking, make sure to understand if these may apply to your stay. If anything isn’t clear or you have any questions, message the homeowner to get more information.

 

  • Prep for “just in case” scenarios: Make sure your pet is wearing ID tags and is microchipped and registered with updated, accurate contact information. Before you head out, research local veterinarians and emergency services in your destination, just in case you need them while away. Don’t forget to keep your pet’s latest vaccine records handy, too.

 

  • Pack for your pet: Bring a carrier or harness for the car ride, and plenty of treats, food and water for snack breaks. Make sure to also pack some of their favorite things from home, like a bed or a few toys, to help them feel comfortable when you arrive at the vacation home.

Families looking for more destination inspiration can use Vrbo’s pet-friendly destinations site at www.vrbo.com/travel/pet-friendly.

—Jennifer Swartvagher

Featured photo: Jay Wennington on Unsplash

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Outsource Your Lunch Lady Duties to These Meal Delivery Services

by Amy Bizzarri

Back-to-school is looking more like back-to-remote-learning-at-home for so many families this new academic year. For parents that work remotely at home, the neverending juggle is all too real, especially when you add breakfast/lunch/dinner prep to the mix—not to mention having snacks handy. Find balance by scheduling a few meal deliveries in advance, well before meal-planning fatigue sets in, so you can count on having healthy meals ready-to-go minus the headache. Read on and delete “lunch lady” from your list of newly acquired COVID-related titles.

 

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Home Chef

Versatility is what makes Home Chef stand out in the meal delivery crowd. And with lunch meal kits that can be assembled in less than five minutes, Home Chef is the perfect solution to parents stuck filling in for the school cafeteria at home. You can choose to select your meals ahead of time and have everything direct to your door; or for those that prefer to skip the planning phase, wing it and grab a meal to go at Mariano’s. Every kit you order from Home Chef has all the ingredients you need to make a simple delicious meal with dinner options that take 15-30 minutes or less. They also make it easy to customize your protein in online orders and slow cooker, carb and calorie-conscious meals are available, too. Save even more time by adding pantry staples to your order from their curated selection and you’ll always be able to count on a well-stocked kitchen.

Online: homechef.com

 

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Farmer's Fridge 

Farmer's Fridge makes it easier than ever to stock your fridge with ready-to-eat, affordable healthy meals and snacks. Their recyclable plastic jars of salad, yogurt parfaits, burrito bowls, overnight oats and mini jars of snacks like cheese cubes, trail mix, gluten-free cookie dough bites, falafel and diced grilled chicken are perfect for families that need plenty of healthy options on hand for picky eaters. Plus you can reuse the jars to store crayons, small toys, art supplies, etc. Check out the Farmer’s Fridge Chef Collabs, a new series of dishes inspired by what their chefs are eating right now, with a portion of proceeds donated to the charity of each chef’s choice.

Online: delivery.farmersfridge.com

 

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Kitchfix

Kitchfix brings healthy meals and snacks direct to your door. Their chef-driven menu highlights delicious, whole ingredients and pasture-raised meats from local farms. Families can choose medium or large-sized portions, shop based on dietary restrictions, and even customize most meals to nutritional needs. The chef-crafted menu which always included plenty of kid-friendly options changes weekly, so choose to order for delivery “this week” or “next week.” Choose delivery to your home or office, or pick up from a convenient hub, then receive, reheat, and enjoy!

Tip: Be sure to try their wildly popular grain-free granola and waffles, both quick, easy and healthy breakfast options when paired with fresh fruit and yogurt.

Online: kitchfix.com

 

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Tovala

Tovala bills itself as “a meal service for insanely busy people” because it eliminates the need to food shop, prep, cook and clean thanks to their WiFi-connected smart oven (which you can order through them). You’ll receive weekly deliveries of chef-made meals; just pop them into your Tovala oven, scan a QR code and the oven automatically steams, bakes and broils just like a regular oven.

Online: tovala.com

 

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HelloFresh

HelloFresh is a pretty great option for families that like to serve home-cooked meals. . . but don't have time for grocery shopping or extensive meal prep. Expect a box to arrive on your doorstep filled with all the high-quality, farm-fresh ingredients you need to prep quick, easy and healthy meals. Easy-to-follow recipes with clear nutritional info make meal prep fast and simple, so you can get a meal on the table in a flash. Families can customize their tastes, too, by requesting veggie-based meals or taking a pass on certain ingredients that kids often despise (mushrooms, kiddos?), and the family-friendly plan guarantees meals that both kids and parents will enjoy.

Online: hellofresh.com

 

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Nurture Life

Planning and prepping three square meals a day for the kids at home is never easy. Enter Chicago-based subscription meal service Nurture Life: they’ll prepare fresh, ready-to-enjoy food options that appeal to kids ages 10 mos.-11 yrs  (as well as teen, adult and family-style meals) and deliver them straight to your door in refrigerated boxes. Each meal focuses on organic produce, antibiotic-free proteins and whole grains and can be served up in two minutes or less.

Online: nurturelife.com

 

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Veestro

Veestro asks consumers to “imagine devouring delicious, healthy meals daily without so much as lifting a pot”. For families following a plant-based diet, or for anyone looking to dip their toes into giving it a try, Veestro offers vegan meal delivery direct to your home. All meals are chef-prepared, made fresh from organic, non-GMO plants and their creative recipes combat the myth that vegans only eat kale. Each meal arrives frozen in an insulated shipping container and can be kept in the freezer for up to 8 weeks.

Online: veestro.com

 

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Freshly

Freshly delivers balanced, flavorful, better-for-you meals, ready to eat in just three minutes. Complex carbs, nutrient-dense ingredients, quality proteins and healthy fats are the focus, and every meal is certified gluten-free and excludes 85+ banned ingredients Freshly says “no” to, keeping your family’s nutrition on point. Each Freshly meal is perfectly sized for one person to enjoy at one sitting, and you can customize your order to your family’s size, with plans starting at four meals per week. Plus the menu features healthy kid (and adult!) favorites like chicken parm, Swedish meatballs and down-home turkey meatloaf.

Online: freshly.com

 

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Jafflz

Jafflz delivers a fun, healthy lunchtime option to your doorstep: Jaffles, traditional South African toaster-type sandwiches with savory fillings like BBQ sloppy joe, mac ‘n cheese, enchilada, cheese pizza and more. South African native Meryl van der Merwe, a classically trained gourmet chef and mom, built her company with a goal to provide wholesome meals for health-conscious families on the go. Made from scratch with all-natural premium ingredients, the sandwiches arrive at your door frozen and are easy enough for even a kid to reheat in a microwave, oven or toaster oven. Select between a 6, 8, 10, 14, 18 or 20 Jafflz® variety pack, or choose a box of your faves so you always have a healthy lunch in the freezer, ready to reheat and eat in a flash.

Online: jafflz.com

Just for fun, check out the Lunch Lady paperback series by Jarrett Krosocka on Amazon. Much to the surprise of characters Hector, Terrence, and Dee, they find out through some detective-level sleuthing their mysterious lunch lady serves sloppy joes by day and justice by night!

— Amy Bizzarri

Featured photo: courtesy of Freshly

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Study Looks at the Top Trends Dominating Instacart 2020

by Jennifer Swartvagher

What shopping trends have come out of 2020? Toilet paper and antibacterial soaps are sure to be at the top of the list. Instacart looked at what their customers have been buying to see which products are finding their way into grocery baskets across America.

The last six months have been unprecedented and unexpected for everyone. As shelter-in-place orders rolled out nationwide, people’s sense of normalcy changed almost instantaneously, and many turned to grocery delivery services to get the items they need safely. As Instacart baskets started filling up, Senior Product Manager and Trends Expert, Laurentia Romaniuk, partnered with the data science team to better understand just how drastically America’s shopping habits were changing in the wake of COVID-19. 

Groceries

The team looked into search data, examining aisle-by-aisle performance and trending terms to trace online grocery searches through winter, spring and summer. While many people were looking for toilet paper in March, other items topped the charts as the quarantine lifestyle continued. 

Romaniuk noticed that cleaning products and household goods dominated search trends in early March. Brand names like Clorox and Lysol emerge as popular terms as consumers began scouring digital shelves for trusted disinfectant products.

Searches in both the “Household Cleaning” and “Personal Care/Bathroom Needs” categories rose in unison through the month of March.

With the stay-at-home orders in full swing, people started to spend more time experimenting in the kitchen and indulging in homemade comfort foods to pass the time.

Romaniuk said, “The wild surges we experienced in the baking category led us to believe that consumers started feeding those sourdough starters and preheating their ovens in early April. ‘Yeast’ and ‘all-purpose flour’ proved to be two of our most popular search terms platform-wide in early spring.”

 

Aside from homemade bread, other comforting foods and seasonal flavors began to unexpectedly trend during the early days, including the classic fall favorite pumpkin spice.  

‘We were surprised to see searches for ‘pumpkin spice’ and ‘pumpkin’ start spiking as early as March this year. Given that pumpkin spice is associated with coziness and pleasant Fall activities, it seems that consumers may be seeking extra comfort during an unsettling time,” said Romaniuk.

As we entered spring many Americans became desperate for personal grooming products after going weeks without hair cuts or coloring, manicures. This is when beauty and personal care items began to spike. In particular, nail polish, tanning lotion, and hair care products proved popular amongst those eager for some self-care.

 

With the warmer weather people started leaving their living rooms to set up camp in their backyards. Seasonal items started to trickle into trending search terms. Barbecue-related products like grill fuel, hamburger buns, charcoal, and fresh produce like melons saw a predictable uptick in search.

One unexpected outdoor item caught Instacart by surprise, bird food. Another at-home quarantine trend—searches for bird food increased by as much as 450% in the spring.

Romaniuk said, “In the spring of 2020, homebound nature-lovers turned to Instacart to kickstart their backyard birding habit. Just after the first stay-at-home order in the United States was issued, searches for ‘bird food’ began to climb, vastly outpacing its performance in 2019. With more and more people taking staycations and spending time in their yards as the weather warms, it makes sense that we’ve all taken up birding —an inexpensive, socially distant hobby.”

Romaniuk and the team are now looking at the fastest rising search terms across our digital aisles to predict what products may start to trend in the months ahead. In August they saw classic fall favorites and back-to-school staples like Lunchables, pumpkin spice, pickling/mason jars, spaghetti squash, and shelf-stable gravy tick upwards.  

Additionally, preliminary data shows that consumers are also starting to pay closer attention to their health and sleeping habits this fall. 

Romaniuk said, “‘Melatonin’ was in our top ten fastest growing search terms in early August, leaping up 139 slots in our search rankings in just four weeks. Protein supplements and acai health drinks also appeared on our list. As parents turn their attention back to remote work, at-home schooling, and life inside, I predict we’ll see more products in the dietary and health supplement categories trend this fall.”

Romaniuk will continue to monitor shopping habits through the fall to see what happens as the holiday season draws near.

—Jennifer Swartvagher

Featured photo: Maria Lin Kim on Unsplash

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Moms Are Drowning. Here’s How We Save Them.

By Anne Kenny & Natalie Tulsiani

Had you told us that things would get worse for moms, it would have been inconceivable. Women were already exiting the workforce at 43%, losing 10% of their earning power for every child they have, and straddling their roles at work with their roles of CEO at home, at the cost of career progression. Now, those privileged enough to still hold jobs, they face additional challenges with regard to childcare, virtual school needs, less ability to outsource, strapped finances, more meals, and clean up at home…things have gone from overwhelming to unmanageable. Too many women are in too deep to sound the alarms.

“People are very nervous about taking days off. Just so busy. All the moms are working until 1 a.m. There’s no good solution.” — Parent Employee Resource Group Leader

moms are underwater
Helping moms make it to shore depends on our partners, our companies and us


Dads Need to Step Up—Even the “Good Ones” 

Not all households have a mom and dad, but when they do, childcare responsibilities still disproportionately fall on moms. And today, with childcare and home responsibilities only increasing, women are shouldering most of the work and it’s disrupting their careers. Perception further complicates the labor distribution. As the NYTimes article with the same headline describes, “Nearly half of men say they do most of the homeschooling; 3% of women agree.” Cloudy perception in theoretically shared responsibilities implicitly creates a culture of invisible work–in other words, work without recognition or perceived value.

We heard this in discussions we held with parent Employee Resource Group advocates and leaders as we sought to understand how their companies are supporting caregivers during this pandemic. The sense of exhaustion and despair, with no end in sight, is palpable. A recent study showed that moms have reduced their paid working hours 4 to 5 times more than dads. One example of disparity in work production: women academics are submitting fewer papers since coronavirus started, while men are submitting 50 percent more than they usually would. Think of the research, insights and extrapolations the world is missing from women, because they are cleaning up the oatmeal stuck on the bowl, while their male counterparts are more likely working in a quiet room.

The good news? There’s an entire movement of passionate “FamilyTech” founders who, long before the pandemic turned it into a crisis, created support strategies to address aspects of this problem. We’d love to introduce you to existing options for both you and your companies, as well as share recommendations from our research.

Moms Are Underwater

How do we save one another and make it on the other side of this pandemic better off than when it started? We all—partners, employers and moms—have a role to play.

invisible load
Moms are taking on even more invisible work since COVID started.

Technology can help with the mundane, repetitive tasks of running a family so that parents can shift valuable mindshare to more important matters.

  • Modern Village is building the Family Operating System as a central place that isn’t mom’s brain to be the single source of all things family.

Couples can then focus on divvying up the remaining invisible work through tools like:

  • Fair Play which helps couples divide up household tasks fairly, based on their needs.

  • Persistiny allows parents to track, value, and share the unpaid work to care for their families.

For partners who want to improve their marriage, and in doing so contribute to a society that values women, here are some things you can do today: 

  • Take on more housework. Even if it feels like you are doing your fair share, pick up one, two, even five more tasks.

  • Initiate a conversation with her…tonight. Ask her how she feels the child and housework is going. Is she drowning? To avoid adding mental load to her already loaded cart, come to the conversation with two ideas for how you could help.

  • Take the kids out of the house to give her some time to just think, reflect, and do something other than parenting and housework.

  • Say thank you. Say thank you every time you see her pick up the LEGOS, feed the children, and sign them onto a remote class. Say thank you for everything you don’t see…the uninterrupted Zoom call, the empty sink, and anything else slipping by because of its invisibility. Make it your personal goal to show as much gratitude as possible, and in doing so her invisible work will suddenly start becoming visible.

Employers who want to attract and retain a diverse and efficient workforce


Much like the parents they employ, companies have found themselves in unknown water, without access to a best practices playbook on how to support caregivers. Because of this there is a real-time experiment taking place when it comes to benefits, policies and stances companies are implementing.

Moms who are essential workers or who work from home are all struggling.


Four Guiding Principles of What Companies Can Say and Do to Support Caregivers:

Consistent policies that don’t depend on an employee to initiate

✗ “Talk to your manager”

✓ Quarterly or monthly mental health days. (e.g., YOU days at Indeed)

✓ 40 hours a week, anytime during the week

Reduced Schedule without Penalization

✗ Promoting part-time with reduced pay

✓ Company sanctioned 4 day work week

✓ Office closes every Friday at 2:00 (e.g., The Zebra)

✓ Continued growth and career conversations

Leaders Communicate Challenges & Model Behavior

✗ Silent about kids, challenges and taking time off

✓ “I’m taking time off work to get my kids through the end of the year push.”

Re-Examine Meeting Culture

✗  Back-to-back Zoom meetings

✓ Replacing “syncs” or ad-hoc meetings with a Slack conversation or channel, and other remote work best practices


Here Are Some Services Employers Can Offer to Support Caregivers:

Workshops / Training / Coaching

  • Femily helps companies create an inclusive culture.

  • Mindful Return, a benefit that guides new parents back from parental leave and supports working parents with workshops and retreats.

  • TendLab provides workshops and training to optimize the workforce for parents.

  • Villyge, an employer-paid benefit, connects working parents 1:1 with a community of coaches from preconception to college.

  • WRK/360 offers employer sponsored training, development and 1:1 career & life integration coaching support for working parents, their managers and whole teams.


Childcare & Education

  • BridgeCare offers employee benefits that help working parents find and afford child care.

  • EdNavigator provides families with personalized education support from preschool to college.

  • HappiFamili helps manage childcare.

  • Helpr provides custom primary care solutions for families looking to create care pods or find nannies during COVID, with online 1:1 tutoring for all ages, and backup care with either their sitters or your sitters.

  • UrbanSitter enables families to select providers to come into their home in a COVID-friendly way.

If you’re looking for companies that have been vetted for supporting caregivers, Hustle Hunters or Prowess Project can help match you with opportunities.

Moms, although we are utterly burnt out, we remain stronger together

While moms are in no position to add more to their infinite, impossible to-do lists, now more than ever, we need the support of one another. This includes banding together to recognize our needs, both at work and at home.

First, we need to speak up for ourselves and balance the inequities at home. By talking openly with our partners, we can align on our values, share responsibility in the joys, challenges and logistics of childcare, and teach our children to be proud of doing housework..

Second, womxn need to join forces. Stay at home moms have classically been pitted against working moms. Today, parents are at odds with teachers, who are overwhelmingly women, struggling with the very same issues we’re describing, while we debate how and if school should open. In doing so, we are missing the bigger picture. We should instead be working together to fight for expanded paid leave and sick leave, to fund the childcare industry and protect working parents from being discriminated against. And we should be sharing resources, whether that be information, space, or childcare.

If You’re Looking for a Community of Moms Who Get It:

  • Chairman Mom is a private network of badass working women.

  • MotherNation creates spaces for Mothers to care for themselves and each other by gathering Circles based on location, age of children and shared experience.

  • Mother Honestly is an online community, with resources and support for working mothers.

Finally, we need to be inclusive and welcoming to all womxn, which is a departure from the traditional white feminism many of us inadvertently have been practicing. The pandemic is disproportionately affecting Black moms so it’s important for those of us with a more privileged position to speak up for racial justice in our homes, schools, and organizations.


You Have Options

Every family needs to do what’s right for them. Based on their own mental health, their family situation, their risk tolerance and financial resources, every family’s solutions will be different. For example, one mom may opt for homeschooling to reduce her own anxiety while another mom may feel it’s necessary for her kids to attend school for her own mental health.

influences
Five factors that influence a family’s decisions:

If you’re looking for ways to engage and educate your children from your own home:

  • Flexable offers interactive, virtual childcare.

  • Homeroom provides online classes for kids and their friends.

  • Inceptive offers expert-led, live, and on-demand classes for families on a wide range of topics.

If you’re looking for toys, books, and activities for your kids:

  • Lovevery provides stage-based early learning and play essentials, up to age 3.

  • Raddish Kids is a cooking club for kids.

  • Little Feminist is a monthly book club to help diversify your bookshelves.

If you’re looking for childcare outside the home:

  • Winnie helps find local childcare providers, many of which can support school-aged kids with distance learning.

  • Komae enables cooperative, free care by swapping points with other families.

From Drowning to Thriving

We know this just scratches the surface. There is no silver bullet solution to alleviate such a complex and nuanced issue, rooted in historic biases. The pandemic has brought the childcare crisis to the national stage, although moms have felt the weight of it far longer. We believe the future of caregiving brings together the public and private sectors and is equitable, inclusive, and antiracist. When everyone pitches in to help, moms will make it to shore stronger, and our world will reap the benefits.

We are Shift, user researchers, and designers who provide custom qualitative research to companies to identify needs and recommendations to better support caregivers. We welcome you to follow our thoughts, and if you’d like to work with us, let’s chat.

This post originally appeared on Medium.com.
Anne Kenny & Natalie Tulsiani
Tinybeans Voices Contributor

Anne Kenny and Natalie Tulsiani are user researchers and designers who co-founded Shift the Workplace, a research consultancy that helps companies identify opportunities to support caregivers. With 30 years of combined experience at Huge, Microsoft and Airbnb, we offer tangible, practical recommendations tailored to the company's culture.

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FlexJobs Highlights Top 30 Companies Hiring for Flexible Schedule Jobs

by Jennifer Swartvagher

A job with a flexible schedule is the most desirable flexible work arrangement second only to remote work. To highlight the types of companies that hire for flexible schedule jobs, FlexJobs has compiled the top 30 companies hiring for flexible schedule jobs this summer. This list is based on an analysis of over 52,000 companies and looks specifically at their flexible schedule job posting histories in FlexJobs’ database between Jun. 1, 2020 and Jul. 20, 2020.

Especially as many schools consider distance learning this fall due to the coronavirus pandemic, flexible schedule jobs could dramatically help working parents and other caregivers balance their professional and personal responsibilities during this unprecedented time

“Flexible schedule jobs are a great work flexibility option that puts employees more in control of their day so they can create their ideal arrangement, which may even change day by day,” said Sara Sutton, founder and CEO of FlexJobs. “Especially as many schools consider e-learning this fall due to the pandemic, flexible schedule jobs could dramatically help working parents and other caregivers balance their professional and personal responsibilities during this unprecedented time,” Sutton concluded.

flexible work schedule
Courtesy of FlexJobs

A “flexible schedule job” refers to jobs that allow workers to vary their hours and mostly be in control of the hours they work. Companies hiring for flexible schedule jobs offer a range of opportunities across many industries and career levels. Additionally, many flexible schedule jobs also allow for remote work. There are primarily six different types of flexible schedules:

Completely Flexible Schedule

A completely flexible schedule is just that, a fully flexible schedule. These types of schedules give the worker control over start times and end times. For some, this means putting hours in early in the morning, then a few in the afternoon, some more late at night, and finishing out the rest of the scheduled hours on the weekend.

 

Alternative Schedule

An alternative schedule is one in which work hours are scheduled outside of the typical 9-5. Second shifts and night shifts would qualify, as would weekend shifts. These types of schedules free up the normal daytime business hours.

 

Compressed Workweek

The compressed workweek takes your typical 40-hour, Monday through Friday and compresses it into fewer days. Rather than working five days a week, a compressed schedule will lengthen the hours on three or four of those days, allowing for an additional day or two off per week. The most popular compressed schedules are three 12-hour workdays with four days off and four 10-hour workdays with three days off.

 

Results-Only Work Environment (ROWE)

Similar to the completely flexible schedule option, the ROWE option is focused more on results and productivity rather than the actual time put in. This means that as long as you get your work finished, and the end product is something to be proud of, you can work whatever hours it takes to complete it, even if it is less than the full-time status.

 

Split Shift

A split shift schedule means that you are splitting your hours throughout the day. For example, you may put four hours in during the morning, two more mid-afternoon, and end your evening putting in your last two hours. Another variant is putting in four hours in the morning and then four hours at night. The split shift schedule simply means that your schedule for the day is split to allow for other life happenings in between.

 

Flex Time

Many companies offer a flex-time option, and it usually pertains to starting and stopping times. Flex time offers workers the option to start their schedule earlier or later, but the hours are worked concurrently, and the schedule remains constant, usually until an official change request is submitted or a review is conducted. 

The full  list of thirty companies with the most flexible schedule jobs can be found here: https://www.flexjobs.com/blog/post/companies-for-flexible-jobs-v2/

—Jennifer Swartvagher

Featured photo: manny PANTOJA on Unsplash

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A Love Letter Home: I’ve Been Where You Are

By Elizabeth Quon

As an American ex-pat I’ve often joked about living in the future and being 13-14 hours ahead of my parents in New Orleans, we pretty much are. But now I’m truly seeing what it’s like to be ahead in time as the U.S. begins to face what we’ve been living with for weeks. Yes, I’m talking about the new Big C: COVID-19.

I’ve been pretty quiet about the pandemic on social media, choosing to focus on my virtual 5K, silly memes, and thoughtful quotes. For one, it seemed enough people were speaking up already and if I said my piece, would I be contributing? Would I be helping in any way? The long and short of it is absolutely not. I’m not a doctor. I don’t work for any government. I’m a wife and mother and have been for over twenty years.

I guess this makes right now my time to shine because I can speak up and tell you what certain parts of your future will probably look like. While I certainly don’t have all the answers, I have practical knowledge on some things, and if I can offer reassurance in any way, make suggestions that can lessen what you feel weighs heaviest on you, then I’m glad to do my part.

At the end of February when the Prime Minister of Japan requested all schools across the nation close through the end of March, asking people to work remotely, you would have thought the end was nigh. It’s a now-familiar scene to you all, you’re experiencing it currently.

But it didn’t take long for things to settle. After the initial few days, the hoarding craze dissipated. The city grew much quieter, subways grew emptier, festivals and celebrations were canceled. In Japan, encouraged (not enforced) social distancing was put into effect, so I understand what you are seeing, what you are hearing, what you are experiencing. Like grocery shopping, several areas of life have returned with a sense of normalcy, and we’ve been checking on one another, maintaining support, but continuing to be considerate in our day to day.

Oh yes, we’re also still washing the heck out of our hands.

You will get there, too. By nature, the Japanese are a community-minded people, so it’s not terribly surprising that gradually the rest of us also picked up on that calm, remembering we are also a part of that community even if it’s for a brief time. But it was an important reminder that no matter where we are in this world we take care of one another by thinking of one another.

We’ve been doing that in different ways, and it began before our children’s DLP’s (distance learning plans) started. This is a big one and I empathize. With schools closing this will have its challenging moments. Single parents, environments where both parents work, children of varying ages, no one has a monopoly on who it’s going to affect hardest because it will affect everyone. It will test you. Thankfully, over this past week, we’ve seen a blessing of sources that are online and whether your school has a DLP in place or not, this is fantastic! Virtual museum explorations, art programs, online orchestral and operatic performances. The arts are being kept alive! Check out this link for many amazing virtual museum tours. It’s a great way to explore the world from the comfort of your home.

For academics, sites like Khan Academy, Prodigy, Explore Learning, and Zearn have been used in the classroom for years and are still encouraged with distance learning. But don’t forget one of the best classrooms, the outdoors! Get your children (and yourself) outside to work off some of that energy. Clear your mind, reset your body, have dance parties, do YouTube workouts. Your physical and mental health are important, and even 10 minutes outside in the fresh air or in a room by yourself will do wonders.

And now a gentle reminder from your friendly neighborhood ex-pat.

Remember to step away from the news and Facebook. Turn them off and do something nurturing instead. Let’s see fewer pictures of empty shelves and more gestures from full hearts. There is frustration and worry in a time like this, there is heartbreak as well, but if allow yourself to consider it, there are also blessings in disguise. We are being given time that normally isn’t afforded. In a safe manner (yep, I’m throwing that very effective social distancing at you again) many of us now have the opportunity to reconnect with family, catch up with friends, moments to share with our children that may have been otherwise missed. We are being forced to slow down.

Initial panic is beginning to give way to community consideration and thoughtful conversation, virtual hands are sharing recipes and pictures of family breakfasts. Netflix recommendations are being suggested, books we’ve put aside are being read, games we’ve had on shelves are being played, and the glorious music from the balconies of Italy are filling our feeds. This is not a request that you forget what’s happening outside, but more that you don’t overlook what’s happening inside either.

From the bottom of my heart, I feel for what you are going through. My prayers are constant but my hopes remain high. I’ve seen glimpses of everyday normalcy, a slow but steady return. We’re not there yet, there’s still a way to go, but every morning it feels just a little closer. I’ll take that and breakfast with my family. Let’s use this time to savor the good and learn from the things we want to change. With level heads, compassionate hearts, and a little time, corners will be turned. I feel confident about this.

I’ve been where you are.

   

 

This post originally appeared on https://www.hominyandhome.com.

Elizabeth has traveld and lived around the globe with her family of four, but no matter where they are their ties to the South follow. She is celebrating their last year in California as they transition back to Japan, and hopes you'll enjoy their day to day, sharing recipes, traditions, travels, and family anecdotes.

   
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