Nanny reveals five controversial tips for looking after children… including never telling them they’re ‘BAD’
A nanny has taken to TikTok to share the five childcare techniques she uses that people find most controversial.
Continue the fragment @isla.collins has been seen by more than 108,000 people in just a few days, with comments praising her ideas.
She explained: ‘I have spent many years researching and studying child development and child psychology to provide the best care for my babies.
Adding that “gentle” and “respectful” parenting is the “only way” for her.
The TikToker often makes videos about her lifestyle as a nanny and documents her travels.
A nanny has taken to TikTok to share the five childcare techniques she uses that people find most controversial
Let children sleep anywhere
As a parent, putting your little ones to sleep can make or break the amount of free time you get.
Napping during the day can sometimes make it more difficult to get children to sleep through the night.
However, the first controversial rule the nanny implements is that there are no rules about where the children she cares for can nap.
She explained: ‘I let the kids nap anywhere and everywhere from day one – on me, in the car, pram, stroller, their bed etc.’ and added that there is “no real routine to it.”
No food rules
Her next piece of advice is that there are no rules when it comes to meals.
Many of us will have childhood memories of being told to eat our vegetables.
She said: ‘I don’t let children finish their food or tell them how much to eat, no ‘three more bites’.
‘I want to teach children to listen to their bodies and their own hunger signals.’
The babysitter says she has no rules when it comes to meal times
I don’t play with them
Possibly one of the most controversial practices of the nanny is that she tries not to play with the little ones.
Isla said: ‘I don’t play with them and their toys much, we bond in other ways such as reading books, roughhousing, doing activities together and daily tasks.
‘I encourage independent play with their own toys. I think the ability to play alone is invaluable.”
I allow dessert with their main meal
The fourth idea is again about food and the sitter takes a similar rule-free approach as with other meals.
She explained: ‘I often serve dessert with their main meal and if they want, they can eat it before eating anything else.
‘Food is not a reward, all food is good food and sweet things are not something to put on a pedestal.’
I never punish them
Finally, she advised that she never punish the children she babysits for.
Isla wrote: ‘I never punish children with time-outs or deprive them of screen time because of certain behavior.
‘I never send them to their room or put them on the ‘naughty’ step. All feelings are valid and seen.
“You’re not ‘bad’ because you’re too young to understand how to process a certain emotion.”
Finally, she advised that she never punish the children she babysits for
Commenters were quick to praise the young nanny’s advice, calling her “incredible” and “really good” at her job.
Users wrote, “I love all of this so much,” “More people need to do this,” and “I do all of this too!”
However, one viewer wondered: ‘But how do you deal with a child who deliberately does dangerous things? We don’t have a timeout, but I take things away. it doesn’t work, I hate it.’
The video also prompted other nannies to join the discussion, with one agreeing: ‘I don’t see this as controversial at all, I see this as being a nice person! in my circle of babysitting friends, we all do this with the kids.”
Isla replied, “I love that!! Unfortunately, much of this is the opposite of what many parents and caregivers do, especially when it comes to feeding and punishment.
Another sitter added: ‘Joint sitter here and I’m the same! This precious angel feels such big emotions as such small people. We have to hug them through it.”