Working from Home with Kids

Business consulting work-life balance

With several K-12 schools switching to online learning due to COVID-19, working-from-home parents are left with an even greater responsibility for their children. With parents working from home and having to focus on their children’s education, life can get disorganized, chaotic, and negative very quickly. Your partners at IA Business Advisors want to help you keep your home life positive so you can get your work done while ensuring your children receive the knowledge they need this semester. We have compiled a list of tips for parents to help maintain a healthy relationship and learning environment while they work from home alongside their children e-learning.

Tip #1 Set A Schedule & Start Time Blocking

One of the best ways you can keep your child’s/children's minds and bodies active is by having a consistent weekday schedule. Parents can keep themselves and their kids on track by creating a schedule that fits around the children’s online school schedule and the parents’ work schedules. Time blocking is a great way to get everyone on the same page, especially if you write it out on a calendar for everyone to see visibly. It may take some trial and error, but once you find something that works, stick with it and work as a team to make it a habit. Developing a habit of scheduling and time blocking will help parents and children work together more cohesively.

A great way to time block your schedules together is to compare your children’s e-learning schedule to your own and ask yourself what you can move around to accommodate their learning. Some questions you can ask yourself to help with this process are: Is there anything you can do together? Are there times during the day when they will be occupied for a block of time where you can get your work done uninterrupted? If schedules permit, we recommend taking breaks and eating lunch together. The more similar your workday schedule can be to your children’s e-learning schedule, the easier it will be work under the same roof. Remember to have patience for yourself, your children, and the process. It won’t be perfect the first time, it may take some time to get into a routine, and there will be days that are exceptions, but time blocking your schedules is a great first step to get on the same page.

Tip #2 Provide the Environment & Materials for Learning

Unfortunately, this can be more difficult than it sounds. Your child's activity level and learning ability can be directly affected by their environment. If they are locked in their bedroom, uncomfortable due to poor ergonomics, or being distracted by sounds, these can inhibit their overall performance. Making sure that your child can work in an optimal environment while being able to check on them is a great way to help ensure a productive day. You might even consider playing some binaural beats for everyone to listen to. Choose a track that promotes focus and productivity!

You will also need to ensure that your child has all the materials to do their work. This is extremely important, as we are sure it would be difficult to do your job without the proper materials. Think of e-learning as your child’s job. As their leader, you need to set them up for success! Whether its pens and paper, or Wi-Fi and a computer, you are responsible for providing these materials. We recommend ensuring your child has their own set of headphones, as well. This way they can listen to their classes without interrupting the rest of the house. In fact, each family member working from home should have their own set as to not disturb others in the household.

Tip #3 Don’t Replace Their Teacher

There is a very big difference between teaching your child and helping them with their work. Oftentimes, children will need help with their assignments, and it is perfectly okay to assist. However, once you go from helping to teaching, your child may become frustrated. As a parent, you already control so much of their daily lives that sometimes teaching them comes off as a chore rather than an opportunity to learn. Take our advice and leave the teaching up to the teachers! That’s why they are in e-learning. Let go of the reins and sit along side them as both of you work, offering guidance as they request.

Tip #4 Setting Boundaries

Setting boundaries with students is something that teachers learn very well while in school, but for parents it's harder to recognize when it’s necessary to create these same boundaries. There is already stress on everyone, including the child, to learn the material and understand the assignments in a brand-new format. Adding to that stress by not having appropriate boundaries is unproductive. If your child is having a hard time learning, try not to get frustrated. Simply ask yourself these questions: What don’t they understand? How can I help them grasp this concept? If I can’t help them, can their teacher help them? How can I assure my child that we will figure this out together and find a solution?

Conclusion

While working at home with children e-learning is certainly a feat that you should be proud of yourself for conquering (as no parents in the history of time have had to conquer), it is still extremely important to provide your child the best experience and environment they can have during this semester. At times, it might feel overwhelming. Lean on your coworkers and team for help, keep time blocking with your family so everyone stays on the same page, and set some boundaries to make sure you get enough YOU time. Your partners at IA Business Advisors just want to say that you’re a rock star and we are here to help you should you need it! Just contact us.

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How to Mitigate Financial Risk Using the S.M.A.R.T. Management System

June 9, 2025

In an increasingly volatile economy, businesses cannot afford to be reactive when it comes to their finances. Whether you're a startup founder, a growing enterprise, or a seasoned business owner, the risk of financial instability is real—and growing. At IA Business Advisors, we help companies proactively navigate these risks using our comprehensive S.M.A.R.T. Management System . S.M.A.R.T. is more than just a goal-setting acronym. It is a decision-making and execution framework that brings clarity, structure, and alignment to every part of your business. From six-week action plans to one-year targets and long-term strategy, S.M.A.R.T. ensures your financial operations support healthy growth and resilience. Understanding Financial Risk in Today’s Business Climate Financial risk is multifaceted. It ranges from cash flow disruptions and market shifts to internal mismanagement and over-leveraged growth. As Brian Smith shared on a recent Daily Influence podcast episode, unchecked growth can drive a company into bankruptcy. Scaling without intention—chasing fast growth without aligning the internal team and financial resources—leads to diluted communication, quality issues, and operational chaos. Mitigating financial risk begins by understanding that more revenue doesn't always equal more stability. True sustainability comes from building systems that support intentional, well-paced growth. The S.M.A.R.T. Framework in Action: Reducing Financial Risk Our S.M.A.R.T. Management System guides businesses in creating resilient, financially stable operations through: 1. Specific: Build with Intentionality Clarity is power. One of our podcast guests, Mike Heatwole (CEO of The Dala Group), emphasized the importance of sitting down to define what matters most—whether that’s paying down debt, investing in growth, or launching a new venture. When your financial goals are specific, your strategy becomes targeted and less prone to reactive decision-making. “If we don’t know what the goal is, how do we get there?” — Mike Heatwole, CEO of The Dala Group 2. Measurable: Track What Matters Many companies are blindsided not by invisible risks, but by unmonitored ones. We help clients implement tools to track cash flow, margin fluctuations, and budget variances in real time. Visibility into your financial health gives you the power to respond early and course correct as needed. 3. Achievable: Assign Financial Stewardship Risk is reduced when financial responsibility is distributed. Through teamwide financial literacy and clear accountability, we empower organizations to make stronger daily decisions. No individual person should carry the entire burden—and no key area should go unmonitored. 4. Relevant: Make Risk Management a Habit Quarterly or biannual financial health check-ins create a sustainable rhythm. These don’t have to be complicated—they just need to be consistent. Regular reviews embed risk awareness into your company culture and decision-making process. 5. Timely: Foster Honest Dialogue Financial silence is a hidden threat. As Brian noted on the podcast, emotions like fear or shame can prevent businesses from facing financial realities. We encourage honest, blame-free communication around financial performance, creating space for solutions and collective action. Case in Point: Short-Term Action, Long-Term Impact One of our clients, a family-run distribution company, had strong revenue but was bleeding cash due to aging receivables. Together, we built a six-week S.M.A.R.T. Plan focused on accounts receivable recovery. We implemented weekly check-ins, assigned ownership, and used real-time tracking. Within 90 days, their outstanding A/R dropped by 22%, freeing up capital and restoring operational confidence. It’s Never Too Late to Get Financially Intentional Many leaders in their 40s, 50s, or 60s worry they’ve waited too long. But as Mike Heatwole wisely shared: “It’s never too late. Just get started. Do something.” Progress—not perfection—is the goal. Start small. Build momentum. Take the next best step. This mirrors a concept we love from The Gap and The Gain by Dan Sullivan: measure progress based on how far you've come, not just how far you have to go. Final Thoughts: Make Financial Stability a Strategy Mitigating financial risk isn’t about a dramatic overhaul. It’s about consistent action, visibility, and intentional decision-making. With the S.M.A.R.T. Management System, IA Business Advisors helps businesses turn risk into clarity, fear into focus, and instability into opportunity. If you’re ready to start, we’re ready to help. Let’s have a conversation about what matters most to you—and build from there.

Enhancing Interpersonal Relationships for Toxic Workplace Recovery

May 29, 2025

Hello, team! Mary here, continuing our journey through the I in Team series, where we challenge and empower you to Find , Be , and Build Your Influence. One of the most common things we’re asked to help our clients with is toxic workplace recovery. This directly connects to the culture of the team, and while rebuilding that culture takes time and intention, it is absolutely possible. In fact, with the guidance of our I in Team approach and S.M.A.R.T. Management system, we’ve successfully helped more than 19,000 teams evolve into high-performing, values-based cultures. If you’re ready to take the lead and breathe life back into your team, we’re here and ready to support you. Practice Emotional Intelligence One of the most impactful steps you can take on your toxic workplace recovery journey is to practice emotional intelligence (the ability to recognize, understand, and manage both your own emotions and the emotions of those around you). Toxic environments are often the result of emotional disconnection, poor communication, unnecessary competition, and a culture that avoids constructive feedback. Begin by shifting your perspective: respond with empathy, ask thoughtful questions, and use “I” statements. These habits model two traits, emotional regulation and empathy, that influence how your team interacts and solves problems. Start small. For example, set a personal goal to give one piece of sincere praise or recognition per day. This is a S.M.A.R.T. goal, and it starts to reinforce positive emotional exchanges. Over time, this contributes to a psychologically safe environment where people feel seen and supported. Foster Open Communication Once emotional intelligence begins to take root, toxic workplace recovery is just around the corner. Open communication becomes more natural because when team members are aware of their own and others’ emotions, communication becomes seamless. The number one rule? Listen. Really listen. Without listening, communication is incomplete. Try implementing monthly influence partnerships—team pairings that rotate so members can get to know each other beyond surface-level roles. This creates connection and, when done with consistency (Timely), fosters trust across your team. Another way to build open communication is by creating a structured feedback loop. Clarify how and when feedback should be given—perhaps during weekly one-on-ones or monthly review meetings—and make sure all team members understand the difference between criticism and constructive feedback. S.M.A.R.T. feedback is Specific and Relevant, and when delivered with respect, it encourages team members to grow without fear. Lead by Example As we say throughout the I in Team series, everyone is a leader regardless of title. Whether you’re in the C-suite or just starting your first job, how you show up directly shapes the culture of your team. To begin, set some respectful boundaries rooted in your values. Let others know what you need to succeed and what behaviors support or disrupt your work. When disagreements arise, demonstrate what respectful disagreement looks like—calm, focused on solutions, and free from personal attacks. If your workplace has leaned into competition, shift the focus to collaboration. Collaborate on micro-goals, like shared tasks or cross-functional projects. Make the results Measurable and celebrate wins together (publicly, if possible). Consider S.M.A.R.T.-based team-building events (like problem-solving challenges or goal-setting workshops) to reinforce collaboration in a meaningful way. Final Thoughts Toxic workplace recovery starts with you. Every interaction, every word, every moment of listening is a chance to model what’s possible. Show up the way you want others to show up. If your team is struggling to rebuild or you need expert guidance, reach out . We’re here to help. Let’s keep influencing responsibly and positively together.