{"id":18487,"date":"2020-08-26T07:49:20","date_gmt":"2020-08-26T14:49:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/?p=18487"},"modified":"2025-09-18T09:28:52","modified_gmt":"2025-09-18T16:28:52","slug":"back-to-school-home-trends","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/back-to-school-home-trends\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Navigate Back to School Home Trends: A Guide for Parents"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Back-to-school used to mean you\u2019d pack lunches with little notes tucked inside, snap photos of the perfect \u201cfirst day\u201d outfit, and drop off the kids at the bus stop before sending your little students on their way. But as schools reopen amid-COVID-19 to offer a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.usatoday.com\/story\/money\/2020\/08\/03\/every-states-plan-to-reopen-schools-in-the-fall\/112599652\/\">mix of in-person, hybrid, or remote only programming<\/a>,<a href=\"https:\/\/jamanetwork.com\/journals\/jamapediatrics\/fullarticle\/2769634\"> 31% of parents<\/a> in the U.S. are planning to keep their children at home for virtual learning.<\/p>\n<p>Others will need to find a harmonious transition from the classroom to home if their school \u2014 at any point in the coming weeks and months \u2014 faces a virus outbreak and has to shut down unexpectedly. With the home office potentially occupied with a parent or two working remotely, and the rest of your space at home totally maxed out, what options do parents have to find some semblance of order and sanity?<\/p>\n<p>Although there are no simple or perfect solutions, we chatted with seasoned home school parents, newly \u201cpodded\u201d neighbors, and real estate experts helping clients find homes more suitable for busy families. We\u2019ve compiled their advice into this comprehensive walkthrough for parents facing a variety of situations, whether you need to:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Outfit your home to support virtual schooling<\/li>\n<li>Move into a different home that better serves your family\u2019s new needs<\/li>\n<li>Find or start a neighborhood school pod that supports learning in small groups<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<figure id=\"attachment_18507\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-18507\" style=\"width: 700px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/back-to-school-home-trends-computer.png\" target=\"_blank\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"666\" height=\"381\" src=\"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/back-to-school-home-trends-computer-666x381.png\" class=\"attachment-content size-content\" alt=\"A student working on schoolwork at home.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/back-to-school-home-trends-computer-666x381.png 666w, https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/back-to-school-home-trends-computer-64x37.png 64w, https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/back-to-school-home-trends-computer-128x73.png 128w, https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/back-to-school-home-trends-computer-192x110.png 192w, https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/back-to-school-home-trends-computer-432x247.png 432w, https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/back-to-school-home-trends-computer-500x286.png 500w, https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/back-to-school-home-trends-computer.png 700w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 666px) 100vw, 666px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-18507\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/a> Source: (Annie Spratt \/ Unsplash)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2>If you\u2019re reconfiguring your home for remote learning&#8230;<\/h2>\n<p>Home is where the distractions are. Keeping your kids on task during the school day can be a challenge while balancing business calls or your own commitments. Here\u2019s what homeschooling pros swear by to keep their kids engaged at home during the school day:<\/p>\n<p><strong>Provide a separate workspace.<br \/>\n<\/strong>Learning remotely can feel unfamiliar and daunting for your children, so make sure they have some space to call their own as they adjust to the process.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe started by purchasing my son his own desk. We set it up in a small space area in the living room, which is away from my office but still close enough where I can keep an eye,\u201d shares working mother and blogger <a href=\"https:\/\/cheerstolifeblogging.com\/about-me\/\">Lucy Reyes<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>The desk includes space to keep supplies, workbooks, and reading materials. Keeping everything in one spot can help kids create boundaries between work and school life, even if everything is under one roof.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Put a clock in the room, and a trash can near the workstation.<br \/>\n<\/strong>Reyes also finds that placing a clock within eyesight and a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bedbathandbeyond.com\/store\/product\/seville-classics-reg-mesh-metal-6-gallon-wastebasket\/100712?skuId=10217962&amp;enginename=google&amp;mcid=PS_googlepla_brand_brandplalbtc_online&amp;product_id=10217962&amp;adtype=pla&amp;product_channel=online&amp;adpos=&amp;creative=445396299099&amp;device=c&amp;matchtype=&amp;network=g&amp;gclid=Cj0KCQjw7ZL6BRCmARIsAH6XFDKSNg3BSzv-ljFFnP3j3AHsZx6XS2TSkMrdKU1NqgfO4xYQ9YiBXccaAkTMEALw_wcB&amp;gclsrc=aw.ds\">trash can<\/a> nearby cuts down on excuses for her son to leave his home workstation during school hours. \u201cA <a href=\"https:\/\/www.potterybarnkids.com\/products\/light-up-dinosaur-digital-clock\/?catalogId=10&amp;sku=92393&amp;cm_ven=PLA&amp;cm_cat=Google&amp;cm_pla=Decor%20%26%20Lighting%20%3E%20Clocks%20%26%20Desk%20Accessories&amp;cm_ite=92393&amp;gclid=Cj0KCQjw7ZL6BRCmARIsAH6XFDKJFWUNnRR5KPJcRjtKjNn3WsnwX8htcbz158QDnOjxKQRDYOyyAIAaAr2eEALw_wcB\">digital clock<\/a> can help your kids keep track of their own schedule without constantly having to ask you what\u2019s next,\u201d she explains.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Don\u2019t skip recess.<br \/>\n<\/strong>\u201cWe have set break times when our whole family goes out for short bursts of fun physical activity,\u201d says musician, translator, and now homeschooling parent, Peter Head. Head has set up a <a href=\"https:\/\/runwildmychild.com\/slacklining\/\">slackline<\/a>, monkey bars, and small <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squarefour.org\/rules\">four-square court<\/a> in the yard to encourage physical activity and play.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI find the children focus a lot more on their online studies after even just a 10-15 minute spurt of daily intense play,\u201d Head shares.<\/p>\n<p>In August, HomeLight polled real estate agents across the country about how they&#8217;re seeing parents outfit their homes for remote school. We found that parents are turning spare bedrooms or playrooms into homeschool spaces (45%), putting in built-in desks and school supplies storage (14%), or adding fresh paint to dedicated study or homeschool rooms (11%). Meanwhile, 14% of agents are seeing teachers turn spare rooms into their virtual classroom.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/Screen-Shot-2020-09-28-at-11.58.52-AM.png\" target=\"_blank\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"775\" height=\"690\" src=\"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/Screen-Shot-2020-09-28-at-11.58.52-AM-775x690.png\" class=\"attachment-content size-content\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/Screen-Shot-2020-09-28-at-11.58.52-AM-775x690.png 775w, https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/Screen-Shot-2020-09-28-at-11.58.52-AM-768x684.png 768w, https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/Screen-Shot-2020-09-28-at-11.58.52-AM-64x57.png 64w, https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/Screen-Shot-2020-09-28-at-11.58.52-AM-128x114.png 128w, https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/Screen-Shot-2020-09-28-at-11.58.52-AM-192x171.png 192w, https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/Screen-Shot-2020-09-28-at-11.58.52-AM-432x385.png 432w, https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/Screen-Shot-2020-09-28-at-11.58.52-AM-500x445.png 500w, https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/Screen-Shot-2020-09-28-at-11.58.52-AM-800x712.png 800w, https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/Screen-Shot-2020-09-28-at-11.58.52-AM-666x593.png 666w, https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/Screen-Shot-2020-09-28-at-11.58.52-AM.png 840w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 775px) 100vw, 775px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<h2>If you\u2019re moving into a different house\u2026.<\/h2>\n<p>We also polled real estate agents about the school-related moving motivations they\u2019re noticing in their markets. Surprisingly, a third of agents reported that they\u2019ve seen parents move for better broadband access, more space for at-home schooling, or because they were dissatisfied with how their school system is handling COVID-19.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/Screen-Shot-2020-09-28-at-11.58.26-AM.png\" target=\"_blank\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"775\" height=\"484\" src=\"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/Screen-Shot-2020-09-28-at-11.58.26-AM-775x484.png\" class=\"attachment-content size-content\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/Screen-Shot-2020-09-28-at-11.58.26-AM-775x484.png 775w, https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/Screen-Shot-2020-09-28-at-11.58.26-AM-768x479.png 768w, https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/Screen-Shot-2020-09-28-at-11.58.26-AM-64x40.png 64w, https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/Screen-Shot-2020-09-28-at-11.58.26-AM-128x80.png 128w, https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/Screen-Shot-2020-09-28-at-11.58.26-AM-192x120.png 192w, https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/Screen-Shot-2020-09-28-at-11.58.26-AM-432x270.png 432w, https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/Screen-Shot-2020-09-28-at-11.58.26-AM-500x312.png 500w, https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/Screen-Shot-2020-09-28-at-11.58.26-AM-800x499.png 800w, https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/Screen-Shot-2020-09-28-at-11.58.26-AM-666x416.png 666w, https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/Screen-Shot-2020-09-28-at-11.58.26-AM.png 1133w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 775px) 100vw, 775px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Whatever is driving you to look for a new house, we\u2019ve got some tips for getting through this move. Between the pandemic, juggling the kids, selling your current place, and limited housing inventory, you\u2019ve got many stress-factors compounding an already complex endeavor.<\/p>\n<h3>Be prepared to face a competitive seller\u2019s market<\/h3>\n<p>In her over a decade of experience, top-selling Philadelphia-area real estate agent Erica Deuschle has never seen so much interest from buyers looking for bigger homes. \u201cThey want to get out of the city limits and they want to get into the suburbs,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n<p>Deuschle says the buyers she\u2019s working with now have done more research than ever before, and are taking the process more seriously as they recognize that \u201cnow, more than ever, your home is very important because you\u2019re going to be there a lot.\u201d<\/p>\n<h4>Do your homework ahead of time<\/h4>\n<p>With a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/housing-market-2020\/\">competitive seller\u2019s market dominating most of the country<\/a>, many buyers have already crunched the numbers before even meeting with their agent. They know <a href=\"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/how-much-house-can-i-afford\">how much home they can afford<\/a>. They know their must-haves. And they know where they\u2019re willing to compromise.<\/p>\n<p>Doing your research ahead of time will help you focus on a smaller selection of properties that you\u2019re more confident could be a good fit before you book a showing. \u201c10 years ago, I would take people out on a weekend and they would see 15 houses. Now, you\u2019re lucky to see 5 before pulling the trigger,\u201d says Deuschle.<\/p>\n<p>According to Deuschle, most buyers are more interested in homes with large yards (they\u2019re thinking about putting pools in) and home offices \u2014 or at least a basement that can be made into a home office or schooling space. So, expect to face competition for homes with these features and amenities.<\/p>\n<h4>Make a strong offer<\/h4>\n<p>When you find a house you love, be ready to make a strong, clean offer. It\u2019s not a time when you can really get away with asking for closing costs to be covered, or request any seller concessions upfront. And think twice before trying to add a pesky <a href=\"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/how-to-buy-house-contingent-on-selling-yours\/\">home sale contingency<\/a> to your terms \u2014 it\u2019s sure to weaken your position with sellers.<\/p>\n<p>Finally, it\u2019s helpful if you can offer flexibility to the seller who will likely be in a similar position as you: scrambling to find a new home they like enough to make an offer on.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe\u2019re doing a lot of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/buyer-seller-still-in-house-after-closing\/\">rent backs<\/a>, where the seller rents their home back from the buyer until they\u2019ve closed on a new home,\u201d Deuschle says.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_18510\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-18510\" style=\"width: 700px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/back-to-school-home-trends-declutter-2.png\" target=\"_blank\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"666\" height=\"381\" src=\"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/back-to-school-home-trends-declutter-2-666x381.png\" class=\"attachment-content size-content\" alt=\"A man decluttering a home before going back to school.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/back-to-school-home-trends-declutter-2-666x381.png 666w, https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/back-to-school-home-trends-declutter-2-64x37.png 64w, https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/back-to-school-home-trends-declutter-2-128x73.png 128w, https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/back-to-school-home-trends-declutter-2-192x110.png 192w, https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/back-to-school-home-trends-declutter-2-432x247.png 432w, https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/back-to-school-home-trends-declutter-2-500x286.png 500w, https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/back-to-school-home-trends-declutter-2.png 700w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 666px) 100vw, 666px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-18510\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/a> Source: (nito \/ Shutterstock)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2>If you&#8217;re selling your current home, too<\/h2>\n<p>Even in a seller\u2019s market, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/essential-guide-to-selling-a-home-with-kids\/\">selling a home with kids<\/a> is never easy. Many of these challenges you already face have only intensified in the time of coronavirus when leaving the home isn\u2019t as simple as popping out to a restaurant or gym. Now, more than ever, keep these expert tips in mind:<\/p>\n<p><strong>Work with your agent to promote your listing with a virtual tour.<br \/>\n<\/strong>In 2020 you have an array of robust tools and technology at your disposal to give buyers a highly realistic experience of your home online \u2014 which allows them to either identify your home as a strong match for their needs, or rule it out entirely. This helps cut back on showing requests immensely.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe ask that the buyer\u2019s agent shows our listing video to their clients first before ever stepping foot into the home,\u201d says top-selling Spokane, Washington-based agent <a href=\"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/agents\/cambria-henry-wa-hl8845034\">Cambria Henry<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>In addition to quality listing photos, make sure your listing features one of the following:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Recorded video walkthrough (guided by the person behind the camera)<\/li>\n<li>3D or 360-degree self-navigable tour (allows buyers to interact and navigate a home virtually at their own leisure)<\/li>\n<li>Listing video (produced, usually with high-quality video and music, to show a home\u2019s highlights).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Create a showings schedule.<\/strong><br \/>\nWith everything else up in the air, now is not the time for miscommunication or last-minute showings if you can avoid them. Work with your agent to create a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/essential-guide-to-selling-a-home-with-kids\/#get-kids-out\">showings schedule<\/a> for your home that works for you and your family. Plot out certain days of the week and blocks of time when your family can be out of the house completely (in a nearby park or friend\u2019s backyard) without it totally disrupting your life.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Donate what you can, and stash everything else into storage.<br \/>\n<\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/essential-guide-to-selling-a-home-with-kids\/#get-kids-out\">Paring down clutter<\/a> will make it easier to pack and move, and it\u2019ll help to keep the house ready for showings. Work with your kids to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/staging-home-to-sell-with-kids\/\">sort through their toys and clothes<\/a>, helping them decide what they might like to donate, and what they need to keep. Then, put everything you can into storage, including seasonal wardrobes and infrequently used items.<\/p>\n<p><strong>When in doubt, order out.<\/strong><br \/>\nSelling a home is stressful enough, so feel free to relieve yourself from cooking duties. Keep a steady stock of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/summer-home-sale-with-kids\/\">pre-cooked frozen meals<\/a>, and don\u2019t hesitate to order takeout when reheating a meal sounds like too much work. Not only will this cut down on cooking chores, but it\u2019ll also avoid big kitchen messes that you have to clean up before a showing.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Keep a cleaning checklist on hand.<br \/>\n<\/strong>No matter how hard you try to keep the house spotless, when you have kids, it will get dirty \u2014 and there will be that unexpected showing request right when the mess occurs. For those stressful moments, consult the checklist below to get your house whipped into presentable shape in record time.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/showing-checklist-768x1920-1.png\" target=\"_blank\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"666\" height=\"1665\" src=\"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/showing-checklist-768x1920-1-666x1665.png\" class=\"attachment-content size-content\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/showing-checklist-768x1920-1-666x1665.png 666w, https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/showing-checklist-768x1920-1-614x1536.png 614w, https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/showing-checklist-768x1920-1-64x160.png 64w, https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/showing-checklist-768x1920-1-128x320.png 128w, https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/showing-checklist-768x1920-1-192x480.png 192w, https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/showing-checklist-768x1920-1-432x1080.png 432w, https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/showing-checklist-768x1920-1-200x500.png 200w, https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/showing-checklist-768x1920-1-320x800.png 320w, https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/showing-checklist-768x1920-1.png 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 666px) 100vw, 666px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<h2>If you&#8217;re stressed about the move (and your kids&#8217; reaction)&#8230;<\/h2>\n<p>More than ever, planning ahead on your move matters. Here\u2019s what you can do to keep kids stress-free during the move:<\/p>\n<p><strong>Order all the supplies you\u2019ll need ASAP.<\/strong><br \/>\nThe ripple effects of the pandemic have created shipping delays and unexpected product shortages. Start ordering <a href=\"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/packing-tips-for-moving-coronavirus\/\">moving and sanitation supplies<\/a> early, giving you time to find substitutions if necessary. Having all your supplies at hand when it comes time for packing and moving eliminates the last minute, stress-inducing errands with kids in tow.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Pack in shifts.<\/strong><br \/>\n\u201cFor families in a two-parent household, try to switch off having a parent in charge of the children during the day while the other handles the move details,\u201d recommends Travis Miller, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.adt.com\/\">ADT\u2019s<\/a> VP and Residential Moving Expert. Instead of splitting focus between two tasks, each parent focuses on one task, resulting in less stress, and fully attentive parenting.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Add some love to your day-of bag.<\/strong><br \/>\nMoving pros and real estate experts all encourage movers to pack a \u201cday-of\u201d moving bag with essentials you\u2019ll need immediately at your new place. But Miller also recommends adding in some cherished items to it for your kids. \u201cCreate a bag of their favorite toys and &#8216;lovies&#8217; (such as plush toys, blankets, or stuffed animals) that the child can carry with them. This will give them a sense of comfort that their favorite things are with them and help them settle in easier.&#8221;<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_18511\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-18511\" style=\"width: 700px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/back-to-school-home-trends-pod.png\" target=\"_blank\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"666\" height=\"381\" src=\"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/back-to-school-home-trends-pod-666x381.png\" class=\"attachment-content size-content\" alt=\"Two students working on schoolwork at home.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/back-to-school-home-trends-pod-666x381.png 666w, https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/back-to-school-home-trends-pod-64x37.png 64w, https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/back-to-school-home-trends-pod-128x73.png 128w, https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/back-to-school-home-trends-pod-192x110.png 192w, https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/back-to-school-home-trends-pod-432x247.png 432w, https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/back-to-school-home-trends-pod-500x286.png 500w, https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/back-to-school-home-trends-pod.png 700w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 666px) 100vw, 666px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-18511\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/a> Source: (fizkes \/ Shutterstock)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2>If you just need better internet&#8230;<\/h2>\n<p>Whether you\u2019re in the midst of hunting for your pandemic dream home or just need a Wi-Fi boost to handle the full-time office and home school that\u2019s taken over the house, these tips will help you find a plan that works for your household:<\/p>\n<p><strong>1. Optimize the physical set up.<br \/>\n<\/strong>Wireless routers tend to send their signal\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.cnet.com\/how-to\/home-networking-explained-part-2-optimizing-your-wi-fi-network\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" data-stringify-link=\"https:\/\/www.cnet.com\/how-to\/home-networking-explained-part-2-optimizing-your-wi-fi-network\/\" data-sk=\"tooltip_parent\">out and down<\/a>, so avoid placing yours on a bottom shelf in the corner of your home. Place the router on a higher shelf or even on your\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.cnet.com\/how-to\/home-networking-explained-part-2-optimizing-your-wi-fi-network\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" data-stringify-link=\"https:\/\/www.cnet.com\/how-to\/home-networking-explained-part-2-optimizing-your-wi-fi-network\/\" data-sk=\"tooltip_parent\">fireplace mantle<\/a> (especially if it\u2019s in a central location) to make best use of your signal. If you haven\u2019t solidified exactly where the kids\u2019 new home school learning setup will be, try to find a spot on the same floor as the router, if possible.<\/p>\n<p><strong>2. Tally up your family\u2019s bandwidth needs<\/strong> <strong>and upgrade plans accordingly.<\/strong><br \/>\nIdaho\u2019s Department of Education recommends that student\u2019s at-home internet speed is <a href=\"https:\/\/sde.idaho.gov\/re-opening\/files\/connectivity\/Internet-Needs-to-support-remote-learning.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" data-stringify-link=\"https:\/\/sde.idaho.gov\/re-opening\/files\/connectivity\/Internet-Needs-to-support-remote-learning.pdf\" data-sk=\"tooltip_parent\">no slower than 5 Mbps,<\/a> or megabits per second, to handle the now-essential Zoom lessons but ideally 25 Mbps for 4k video streaming. If your child is constantly frozen in video calls, your provider\u2019s speed may not be able to keep up.<\/p>\n<p>Free sites like Speedtest are a quick way to\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.speedtest.net\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" data-stringify-link=\"https:\/\/www.speedtest.net\/\" data-sk=\"tooltip_parent\">check your internet speed<\/a>. You may need to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2020\/08\/24\/smarter-living\/home-wifi-upgrade.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" data-stringify-link=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2020\/08\/24\/smarter-living\/home-wifi-upgrade.html\" data-sk=\"tooltip_parent\">upgrade your plan<\/a>\u00a0or shop around for a new high-speed provider to meet your home\u2019s demand. Also, check out the\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.highspeedinternet.com\/resources\/which-internet-service-providers-have-data-caps\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" data-stringify-link=\"https:\/\/www.highspeedinternet.com\/resources\/which-internet-service-providers-have-data-caps\" data-sk=\"tooltip_parent\">provider\u2019s policy<\/a>\u00a0and consider choosing a plan with no data caps, especially if you have four or more household members.<\/p>\n<p>If you have one, your internet speed will slow down after a specific amount of data, commonly 1TB, is transferred each month. While hitting that 1TB limit might have seemed far-fetched <a href=\"https:\/\/www.consumerreports.org\/telecom-services\/how-easy-to-burn-through-1TB-data-cap\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" data-stringify-link=\"https:\/\/www.consumerreports.org\/telecom-services\/how-easy-to-burn-through-1TB-data-cap\/\" data-sk=\"tooltip_parent\">pre-coronavirus<\/a>, providers are\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.pcworld.com\/article\/3532817\/which-internet-providers-are-lifting-data-caps-during-the-coronavirus-and-which-arent.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" data-stringify-link=\"https:\/\/www.pcworld.com\/article\/3532817\/which-internet-providers-are-lifting-data-caps-during-the-coronavirus-and-which-arent.html\" data-sk=\"tooltip_parent\">temporarily lifting or increasing data caps<\/a>\u00a0to meet the increase in volume.<\/p>\n<p><strong>3. Fill in the gaps with ethernet and Wi-Fi extenders.<\/strong><br \/>\nIf you need more of a quick fix rather than an overhaul, plugging your computer back in with ethernet cables or adding a Wi-Fi extender can be a great option for your setup. Wi-Fi extenders, which <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-wi-fi-extender\/?utm_source=nytimes&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=wcsmarterliving&amp;utm_content=improve-wifi\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" data-stringify-link=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-wi-fi-extender\/?utm_source=nytimes&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=wcsmarterliving&amp;utm_content=improve-wifi\" data-sk=\"tooltip_parent\">run as low as $30<\/a>, help\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.consumerreports.org\/wireless-networking\/should-you-buy-a-wifi-range-extender\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" data-stringify-link=\"https:\/\/www.consumerreports.org\/wireless-networking\/should-you-buy-a-wifi-range-extender\/\" data-sk=\"tooltip_parent\">eliminate dead spots<\/a> created by obstacles like staircases or load-bearing walls in your home by extending the signal to the remote area.<\/p>\n<p>Happen to have a computer setup right near the router? You can guarantee the highest possible internet speed and eliminate a device from the family competition for Wi-Fi by using an ethernet cord. Simply plug in the cord to the back of your router and, if needed, into a usb-to-ethernet converter for laptops (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-usb-c-hubs-and-docks\/?utm_source=nytimes&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=wcsmarterliving&amp;utm_content=improve-wifi#the-best-usb-c-to-ethernet-adapter-cable-matters-usb-type-c-to-gigabit-ethernet-adapter\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" data-stringify-link=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/wirecutter\/reviews\/best-usb-c-hubs-and-docks\/?utm_source=nytimes&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=wcsmarterliving&amp;utm_content=improve-wifi#the-best-usb-c-to-ethernet-adapter-cable-matters-usb-type-c-to-gigabit-ethernet-adapter\" data-sk=\"tooltip_parent\">available for $16 on Amazon<\/a>).<\/p>\n<p>And if you are moving, you can get an idea of which providers offer service in your new area with this <a href=\"https:\/\/broadbandmap.fcc.gov\/#\/provider-detail\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" data-stringify-link=\"https:\/\/broadbandmap.fcc.gov\/#\/provider-detail\" data-sk=\"tooltip_parent\">FCC usage map<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h2>If you\u2019re creating a neighborhood schooling pod&#8230;<\/h2>\n<p>For parents opting for remote school in the fall, \u201cpods\u201d have become all the rage, \u201cit\u2019s very much the talk of the town right now,\u201d agrees Deuschle. In our survey, 8% of agents have seen clients move into a new house or neighborhood for the opportunity to join a homeschool pod, a significant portion considering this concept barely existed a year ago.<\/p>\n<p>In fact, in August 2020, search interest for the phrase &#8220;homeschool pod&#8221; reached peak popularity of 100, up from 0 the year prior.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/Google-Trends-Homeschool-Pod.png\" target=\"_blank\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"775\" height=\"310\" src=\"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/Google-Trends-Homeschool-Pod-775x310.png\" class=\"attachment-content size-content\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/Google-Trends-Homeschool-Pod-775x310.png 775w, https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/Google-Trends-Homeschool-Pod-768x307.png 768w, https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/Google-Trends-Homeschool-Pod-1536x613.png 1536w, https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/Google-Trends-Homeschool-Pod-64x26.png 64w, https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/Google-Trends-Homeschool-Pod-128x51.png 128w, https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/Google-Trends-Homeschool-Pod-192x77.png 192w, https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/Google-Trends-Homeschool-Pod-432x173.png 432w, https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/Google-Trends-Homeschool-Pod-500x200.png 500w, https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/Google-Trends-Homeschool-Pod-800x320.png 800w, https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/Google-Trends-Homeschool-Pod-666x266.png 666w, https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/Google-Trends-Homeschool-Pod.png 1600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 775px) 100vw, 775px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><em>Source: Google Trends (search interest for \u201chomeschool pod\u201d YoY)<\/em><\/p>\n<p>Mother of two and creator of parenting blog <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cmonmama.com\/\">C\u2019MON MAMA<\/a> Christina Cay had never considered homeschooling her children before this fall. However, she knew there was no way she\u2019d get her two young children to sit in front of a computer for virtual learning, so she teamed up with two other families to create a homeschooling pod.<\/p>\n<p>Here\u2019s how Cay and her pod are operating their tiny school:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Find the right fit.<\/strong> For Cay, it was important not only to team up with families who had children of a similar age, but also the same attitudes towards social distancing and coronavirus exposure. \u201cThe only way to form a cohesive little unit is to make sure we are all on the same page,\u201d Cay says.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Hire professional educators.<\/strong> \u201cWe hired teachers who chose to leave the classic school system this year due to exposure concerns,\u201d explains Cay. With the focus on kindergarten and pre-K, the pod set out to find educators with experience in their kids\u2019 age group.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Rotate \u201cclassrooms\u201d week-to-week.<\/strong> The three families in the pod are switching off classroom hosting duties each week, so no one family has to host all the time. While each family is creating a dedicated workspace, they also aim to hold as much school as possible outside.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Take advantage of new opportunities.<\/strong> Cay\u2019s pod is making room for exploration and adaptation in learning styles. From nature walks to kitchen cooking lessons, \u201cwe plan to capitalize on the non-traditional aspects of our &#8216;school&#8217; and use them to complement what they are learning in their curriculum,\u201d Cay says.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>The pandemic has changed the way we spend time in our homes, as well as what we need out of those spaces. While you might not have envisioned moving this time last year or having a full house during the day, our circumstances and priorities have shifted drastically.<\/p>\n<p>The school year might look different than before, but it doesn\u2019t have to be a disruption in your child\u2019s education. Whether you\u2019re juggling a move, converting your spare room into a classroom, or podding up with neighborhood families, school is still in session.<\/p>\n<p><em>Header Image Source: (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.pexels.com\/photo\/concentrated-girl-searching-pencil-in-backpack-4172977\/\">Gustavo Fring \/ Pexels<\/a>)<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Whether you\u2019re juggling a move, converting your spare room into a classroom, or podding up with neighborhood families, school is still in session.\u00a0<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":99,"featured_media":18515,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"cybocfi_hide_featured_image":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[654,697],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-18487","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-homeownership","category-market-news"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v27.0 (Yoast SEO v27.0) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>How to Navigate Back to School Home Trends: A Guide for Parents<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Whether you\u2019re juggling a move, converting your spare room into a classroom, or podding up with neighborhood families, school is still in session.\u00a0\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/back-to-school-home-trends\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"How to Navigate Back to School Home Trends: A Guide for Parents\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Whether you\u2019re juggling a move, converting your spare room into a classroom, or podding up with neighborhood families, school is still in session.\u00a0\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/back-to-school-home-trends\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"HomeLight Blog\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/gohomelight\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2020-08-26T14:49:20+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2025-09-18T16:28:52+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/hl-blog.homelight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/back-to-school-at-home.png\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"2000\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"600\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/png\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Emma Diehl\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:creator\" content=\"@gohomelight\" 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