Nanny shares five controversial child-rearing tips that goes against traditional norms
By
VanessaC
- Replies 24
Are you a grandparent or a caregiver of young children?
Has it become more difficult to raise children nowadays compared to before?
If so, you might want to read up on this nanny’s controversial child-rearing ideas, which she believes can nurture children nowadays more effectively.
Having extensively studied child development and psychology, Isla Collins believes in adopting a ‘gentle’ and ‘respectful’ approach to caregiving.
Collins' tips, which go against traditional norms, instantly struck a chord with her followers.
1. Supporting Nap-Time Autonomy
While traditional wisdom regards schedule and structure as pivotal in a child's life, Collins recommends a unique approach to nap times.
Disregarding traditional norms, she allows children to nap anywhere and everywhere—be it the carrier, their bed, the pram, or even on herself.
In her mind, there is 'no real routine’ to napping, and children should be able to sleep wherever they need to.
2. Discarding Food Rules
Remember those gruelling childhood memories of being forced to eat your greens or not leaving the table until everything on the plate was gone?
Collins tends to adopt a more flexible approach to meal times.
'I don't make children finish their food or tell them how much they need to eat, no “three more bites”,' Collins said.
'I want to teach children to listen to their bodies and their own hunger cues.'
3. Fostering Independent Play
Another tip from her unconventional childcare to-do list is her reluctance to play with children while they are playing with their toys, a stark contrast to the typical nanny-child interaction.
Independent play, she advocates, can effectively nurture creativity and self-reliance within young ones.
She believes connections can be forged through alternative channels such as reading books, engaging in rough and tumble play, doing activities together, and participating in daily life tasks.
'I feel the ability to play alone is invaluable,' the nanny emphasised.
4. Serving Desserts with Main Meal
Contradicting the general practice of offering desserts post-meals as rewards, she often serves the sweets simultaneously with the main course.
She wants to erase the unhealthy interpretation of sweets as luxury items that ought to be earned.
'Food is not a reward, all food is good food and sweet things are not something to put on a pedestal,' she explained.
5. Saying No to Punishments
Finally, she raised eyebrows by stressing her staunch refusal to punish children for their behaviour.
Every emotion, she advocates, is valid for children learning to process the world around them.
According to her, children labelled as 'bad' are often just too young to understand how to react appropriately to certain emotions. Instead of punishing, she gives them understanding and validation.
'I never punish children with time outs or take away screen time because of a certain behaviour,' Collins explained.
'I never send them to their room or put them on the “naughty” step. All feelings are valid and seen.'
'You are not “bad” because you're too young to understand how to process a certain emotion.'
Her approach did not go unnoticed. Her post has been viewed over 130,000 times, and most of the comments lauded Collins for her ‘incredible’ and 'really good' ideas.
'I love all of these so much,' one user commented.
'More people need to be like this,' another added.
While a third said: 'I do all of these too!'
However, not everyone agreed to Collins' methods with one asking: 'But how you deal with a child who is deliberately doing dangerous things?'
'We don't have time out but I'm taking things away. It doesn't work, I hate it,' they added.
Isla maintained her philosophy by emphasising the importance of teaching children about safety and natural consequences instead of resorting to punishment.
Other nannies joined the discussion with one saying: 'I don't see these as controversial at all, I see this as being a kind human being! In my circle of nanny friends, we all do these with the kids.'
Collins responded saying: 'I love that! Sadly a lot of this is the opposite of what a lot of parents and caregivers are doing, especially the food and punishments ones.'
While another nanny said: 'Nanny here and I am the same! These precious angels feel such big emotions as such tiny people. We have to hug them through it.'
Members, what are your thoughts on her methods? Would you consider integrating any of these into your own grandparenting or caregiving style? Let us know in the comments below!
Has it become more difficult to raise children nowadays compared to before?
If so, you might want to read up on this nanny’s controversial child-rearing ideas, which she believes can nurture children nowadays more effectively.
Having extensively studied child development and psychology, Isla Collins believes in adopting a ‘gentle’ and ‘respectful’ approach to caregiving.
Collins' tips, which go against traditional norms, instantly struck a chord with her followers.
1. Supporting Nap-Time Autonomy
While traditional wisdom regards schedule and structure as pivotal in a child's life, Collins recommends a unique approach to nap times.
Disregarding traditional norms, she allows children to nap anywhere and everywhere—be it the carrier, their bed, the pram, or even on herself.
In her mind, there is 'no real routine’ to napping, and children should be able to sleep wherever they need to.
2. Discarding Food Rules
Remember those gruelling childhood memories of being forced to eat your greens or not leaving the table until everything on the plate was gone?
Collins tends to adopt a more flexible approach to meal times.
'I don't make children finish their food or tell them how much they need to eat, no “three more bites”,' Collins said.
'I want to teach children to listen to their bodies and their own hunger cues.'
3. Fostering Independent Play
Another tip from her unconventional childcare to-do list is her reluctance to play with children while they are playing with their toys, a stark contrast to the typical nanny-child interaction.
Independent play, she advocates, can effectively nurture creativity and self-reliance within young ones.
She believes connections can be forged through alternative channels such as reading books, engaging in rough and tumble play, doing activities together, and participating in daily life tasks.
'I feel the ability to play alone is invaluable,' the nanny emphasised.
4. Serving Desserts with Main Meal
Contradicting the general practice of offering desserts post-meals as rewards, she often serves the sweets simultaneously with the main course.
She wants to erase the unhealthy interpretation of sweets as luxury items that ought to be earned.
'Food is not a reward, all food is good food and sweet things are not something to put on a pedestal,' she explained.
5. Saying No to Punishments
Finally, she raised eyebrows by stressing her staunch refusal to punish children for their behaviour.
Every emotion, she advocates, is valid for children learning to process the world around them.
According to her, children labelled as 'bad' are often just too young to understand how to react appropriately to certain emotions. Instead of punishing, she gives them understanding and validation.
'I never punish children with time outs or take away screen time because of a certain behaviour,' Collins explained.
'I never send them to their room or put them on the “naughty” step. All feelings are valid and seen.'
'You are not “bad” because you're too young to understand how to process a certain emotion.'
Her approach did not go unnoticed. Her post has been viewed over 130,000 times, and most of the comments lauded Collins for her ‘incredible’ and 'really good' ideas.
'I love all of these so much,' one user commented.
'More people need to be like this,' another added.
While a third said: 'I do all of these too!'
However, not everyone agreed to Collins' methods with one asking: 'But how you deal with a child who is deliberately doing dangerous things?'
'We don't have time out but I'm taking things away. It doesn't work, I hate it,' they added.
Isla maintained her philosophy by emphasising the importance of teaching children about safety and natural consequences instead of resorting to punishment.
Other nannies joined the discussion with one saying: 'I don't see these as controversial at all, I see this as being a kind human being! In my circle of nanny friends, we all do these with the kids.'
Collins responded saying: 'I love that! Sadly a lot of this is the opposite of what a lot of parents and caregivers are doing, especially the food and punishments ones.'
While another nanny said: 'Nanny here and I am the same! These precious angels feel such big emotions as such tiny people. We have to hug them through it.'
Key Takeaways
- A nanny has shared five childcare techniques she utilises which are considered controversial.
- The nanny, known as Isla Collins, recommended letting children nap anywhere, not enforcing food rules, encouraging independent play, serving dessert with main meals, and not punishing the children.
- The video, which has been viewed by over 130,000 people, has garnered a largely positive response with many praising the nanny's approach to childcare.
- Despite the general praise, there were concerns raised and a discussion opened up about how to deal with children who engage in deliberately dangerous behaviour.