Your Custom Text Here
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.
While the kids and I were finishing up lunch at the zoo today I noticed a nanny and her one charge come in and find a table. They sat down, didn't talk much, unwrapped sandwiches and looked pretty lonely.
Read more
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.
Read more
Adam really wanted to play My Little Pony Monopoly. I felt dizzy just thinking about managing all those game pieces and rules. So we made up a two year old version.
Read more
When Charlotte called, "who wants to play freeze tag?" we all ran and put in our feet to find out who would be "it."
Read more
Kiddo and I stood at either end of the backyard ready to "play soccer" i.e. kick the ball back and forth. Right away he asked, "are you better than me? Will I win?"
I froze. I wanted to connect with this kid, have fun, build our ability to work together. Not compete. So I said, "let's invent a new game!"
Read more
Do you know this routine?
You: "Want to draw?"
Kid: "No."
You: "Want to do puzzles?"
Kid: "No."
You: "Want to build with Legos?"
Kid: "No."
Have you played Hoot Owl Hoot or other cooperative board games?
Read more
Follow the Leader. Hide and Seek. Simon Says. Red Light Green Light. Tag. You don't need equipment. Kids of different ages can play together. They're super fun. And they're spilling over with life lessons.
Read moreSeattle, WA