Double-income families raising children in Tokyo are under growing pressure to cope now that Japan's school closure request is expected to be extended due to the worsening coronavirus outbreak.

Kazunori Kakei, a clinical psychologist who has worked as a school counselor, warns that prolonged periods of staying home can frustrate both parents and children, and cause them anxiety.

"You should try to be relaxed, have humor and enjoy life," Kakei said.

Usually, parents slip back and forth between home and business modes, helped by the different environments of each place and the distance that separates them. But always staying home with kids makes mode switching a difficult journey, Kakei said.

But the hurdles are illusory. "Many kids can understand if you tell them the hours you need to concentrate on work," he said. "And I want people to be aware that they now have a chance to allow their kids to see their parents at work."

Kazunori Kakei, a clinical psychologist who has worked as a school counselor, warns that prolonged periods of staying home can frustrate both parents and children, and cause them anxiety.

"You should try to be relaxed, have humor and enjoy life," Kakei said.

Usually, parents slip back and forth between home and business modes, helped by the different environments of each place and the distance that separates them. But always staying home with kids makes mode switching a difficult journey, Kakei said.

But the hurdles are illusory. "Many kids can understand if you tell them the hours you need to concentrate on work," he said. "And I want people to be aware that they now have a chance to allow their kids to see their parents at work."