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My grandma often took care of my brother and me when I was little. Most days she'd set us up with crayons or wooden blocks before going to iron or peel veggies.
Grandma didn't hover over us but she was available when we needed her.
These days there's pressure to engage children every moment. The other day I got a call while my (nanny) kids were climbing and sliding at the playground. I felt embarrassed to take it, worried that I might be judged for paying more attention to my phone than them.
We nannies don't have to teach kids how to read, write or multiply fractions. Instead, we teach them to:
Make friends
Use their manners
Take the right risks
Become independent
Fix problems with words
Bounce back from failures
Stay calm when they're mad
Be creative, courageous and kind
Persevere in the face of a challenge
Follow directions but think for themselves, and
Everything else they need to know to become awesome adults
No problem, we got this. On one condition.
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Most days all the kids and I do is play. Puzzles, dress-up, blocks, tea parties, ring around the rosie, hide and seek. Sometimes I feel guilty about that, like I should be providing more structured activities or taking them to the zoo more often. But the research shows that play, child-driven play, is what kids need.
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It's obvious she needs food, clean diapers and sleep. But what am I supposed to do with her the rest of the time? You know, to help her growing brain? She's too little to like the zoo right?
Read moreSeattle, WA