As back-to-school time approaches,  Sola reached out to their community to get some practical, actionable tips for how-to balance life as a salon owner and a full-time parent.  They asked them to share their strategies around scheduling, some suggestions for making homeschooling easier, and even to offer up resources they have tapped into during these ever-changing times. 

Read on for some real-life advice from beauty professionals who are figuring it out!

The reality is, there is no one-size-fits-all answer to what works best for every family adjusting to remote learning for this school year, and no matter how your family decides to handle the school year, it is going to be an adjustment. So remember to give yourself grace - you are doing the best you can during this crazy time. 💪We connected with some past and present Faces of Sola to hear how they are planning to balance homeschooling and maintaining that #SolaBoss life.

One of the main concerns we have been hearing is scheduling conflicts. Luckily at Sola, you get to create your own schedule!

Here’s how a few of our Faces of Sola are adjusting their schedules to accommodate homeschooling.

“I opened my schedule September-December but also told my clients there was a possibility their appointment could be moved depending on the school situation. If schools do not open (in person), I’m planning on working mornings through early afternoon and doing remote learning with them around 3. I do need to at least work one evening a week so my mom, nanny or husband will do that one day. I know a lot of people are also talking about doing the flip side of that and working evenings and remote learning in the morning.” - Ashley White

“Since moving to Sola, my work schedule has revolved around my daughter's. The first year I moved I was actually full-time homeschooling my oldest daughter Lily for her pre-kindergarten year! The plan is for my schedule to remain the same. I work three longer days, every other day.” - Amanda Fagan

“If I have to homeschool I will go to an evening schedule and some weekends. I will try not to overwork myself every weekend because it’s still good to make sure you have your personal life and family time. Take care of yourself!” - Shelbie Donoho

“I will have to come in midday to service my clients - maybe adjust my schedule to 1-6pm and work on the weekends.” - Tahesa Nelson

Here are some tips that our Faces of Sola found helpful during their first round of homeschooling in the spring.

“My children did remote learning in the spring. I learned that it was tough! Although it became a lot easier if we stayed on a schedule! Once they saw it was routine, remote learning went smoother! - Ashley White

“My best tip is to be patient. What our kids are learning today is completely different than what we learned. Times have changed and we have to do the same... Just take a deep breath and get ready to learn something new.” - Alex Sylvester

“What helped me to be successful was to create a nice working area for my son to work and focus on his studies.” - Tahesa Nelson

“I tried to stick to a regular routine because bad habits can form easily, and it was an adjustment from going to school actually at school to now doing school at home. We woke up early, still had breakfast and lunch at school-day times. I made sure to do at least one hour of outdoor activity, and I set up a little ‘school area’ for her in her room where each thing was organized and we still did book learning of each subject - not just on the computer.” - Shelbie Donoho 

“Thank your teachers! Then thank them again, and again. Offer to donate supplies even if they don't ask for it, or if it's remote learning, sending a short message of appreciation goes a long way! Become a team with your child's teacher, it is definitely a partnership and communication is key!” - Amanda Fagan 

You don’t have to figure it out all on your own. Use resources!

“The first resource I think of in the context of being a working parent, especially right now, is the book The Whole-Brain Child: 12 Revolutionary Strategies to Nurture Your Child's Developing Mind, Survive Everyday Parenting Struggles, and Help your Family Thrive. It offers really great insight on how to attune to your child's needs with their brain development in mind. It is really practical and acknowledges real life daily challenges and I've found that the strategies are especially applicable to the current circumstances we are living in.” - Amanda Fagan 

“Do your research! As crazy as this may be there are many teachers on YouTube showing parents the new way of math that we did not learn. Huge help. And keep in mind that your kids are still kids. Get them moving! Shake the wiggles out every once in a while. They are not robots that are going to get a full day of school done without moving a little. This can make your life a lot easier.” - Alex Sylvester 

“I have joined a few local groups on Facebook - they have some good resources.” - Tahesa Nelson

“Our school provided some different learning and reading apps. Epic (reading), Learning Eggs and Math Seeds.” - Ashley White

“Reach out to your local area! Around here in Springfield, MO we have private schools, daycares, some already homeschool/stay-at-home moms are offering to help out and take in a couple of kids. Our Discovery Center and YMCA program is offering full-time child care. Maybe talk to your local Sola Fam parents and see what they are doing. Coordinate a day that they watch your kids while they have theirs while you work and then vice versa!” - Shelbie Donoho

Above all, remember: You’ve got this! 

“Take lots of deep belly breaths...and regardless of what school looks like for your family, remind yourself that you CAN do hard things. Maybe even write it on sticky notes around your house!” - Amanda Fagan

“This has really shaken our world up, but this isn’t the end-all-be-all for us. We can do this, it will just take time to adjust and conquer.” - Alex Sylvester 

“We kept our routine very simple. About a week in, I wrote out a routine with the best intentions that carefully planned our day, and a few days later, covered it with a photo that says ‘We can do hard things.’ That has remained my overall attitude... that we are capable of doing this really hard thing of living and raising children through a pandemic.” - Amanda Fagan 

For more information on back to school resources, check out the Sola blog Balancing Work and Parenthood.