Help! My kid?s school is still virtual.

Here’s advice from parents who have been homeschooling their children for years.Challenge: My kids are struggling to stay focused during class.With kids facing hours of online class time each day instructed by teachers who aren’t actually “there,” staying engaged can be tough—especially when parents have their own work demands. “That way you can just refer to the rules rather than always being the bad guy,” says McKenzie, who’s also the administrator of a homeschool group in Birmingham, Alabama.Rules might include “staying on screen until class is over,” “no muting the teacher so you can talk to your sister,” or “no online surfing on another screen during Zoom classes.” And remember: These rules carry more weight if adults have to abide by them too.Exercise can also help kids improve their concentration and focus, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “And the little ones might think it’s cool to get help from an older sibling.” This works especially well if your older kids had the same teacher the younger ones have now.During the school day, you may need to keep kids separated so everyone can concentrate.