In the age of the coronavirus, working parents are feeling more challenged than ever to get it all done. With routines turned upside down, schools closed, and everyone hunkering down under one roof, the demands of the day seem endless. It’s no wonder that 89% of parents are experiencing challenges with balancing work and family responsibilities, according to a Thrive Global survey of 5,000 respondents around coronavirus pain points.
Thursday, April 23rd was national Take Your Child to Work Day, but in this new normal, the kids are with us at work everyday while those of us who aren’t considered essential workers are mandated to stay home. And the longer the quarantine goes on, many are finding it more stressful — and exhausting — to work and parent all under one roof. Families are getting restless, children are missing their friends and activities, and 78% of parents report that working from home with their children has already negatively impacted their day-to-day performance and productivity.
To help bring some happiness to families during this stressful time, SAP decided to put a virtual spin on the Take Your Child to Work Day tradition — giving kids an opportunity to glimpse into the lives of other professionals and industries. The online programming included Q&A sessions with entrepreneur and “Project Runway” television host Karlie Kloss, San Francisco 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo, Tik Tok star Addison Rae, Pro Bowler Saquon Barkley from the NY Giants, 2017 U.S. Open Tennis Champion Sloane Stephens and others. The three-hour special — appearing on SAP’s YouTube channel — gave kids inspiration from their favorite stars, influencers, and athletes, but that’s not all. The event was in support of No Kid Hungry, the nationwide nonprofit that aims to ensure all children in the U.S. have access to three healthy meals a day.
One of the highlights of the day was with special guest, Associate Art Director and Editor-at-Large at Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group, Chip Kidd. Kidd, a graphic designer, hosted a thank you card tutorial geared toward showing support of first responders who are working tirelessly to keep us healthy and safe.
Check out the events here, and get inspired to make a card with your children. We encourage you to share your child’s card with us along with a brief thank you video message to go directly to healthcare workers on the front lines of this crisis. Please click this link if you’re interested in sharing.
Working From Home in the New Normal is a data-driven storytelling initiative from SAP and Thrive Global, bringing together insights powered by the Qualtrics Remote Work Pulse with actionable Microsteps and stories from Thrive to help you navigate working from home. Visit daily for the latest data and stories to help improve your focus, prioritization, and well-being.