wtf happened to creative play?
oh!!! my!!! GOD!!!!! why do my NKs (3.5 and 6) not know how to entertain themselves literally at all. even in the rare case they’re doing pretend play they’re constantly asking me what they should do next, saying their pretend play has certain “plays” (they mean like scenes, bc they watch so much damn tv) and can “only do 10 of them.”
that’s besides the point though, they literally just can’t do anything. they stopped playing their pretend play game and asked me immediately to think of things they can play next. i explained to them that part of being a kid and playing is coming up with things on your own, because we have different ideas of fun. it’s just insane i remember being a kid and playing with my sibling for hours without asking our parents what we should “play next.” the entire point of pretend play is being creative and BEING A KID.
they literally ask me what they should do, draw, play, etc etc etc ALL THE TIME. they cannot make a single decision on their own. they’ll be trying to make a fort and ask me every second how they should make it. like oh my GOD just put blankets on the chairs and couch.
i’ve heard similar experiences from other nannies, it just baffles me. like how do you not know how to play with your sibling and need an adult to tell you how to do creative play….
UPDATED!!!
i kinda cracked the code and just have been leaving them to their own devices and encouraging them to come up with games instead of asking me etc. it feels sort of mean at first but they shouldn’t need me to come up with games and it’s been helpful. also doing screen free days while i’m here. what their family does is not my business, but when i’m here no tv