Southeast
Mom praises viral parenting tactic as she allows her kids to play by themselves: 'Whole new world'
A Mississippi mom who has raised her two boys with the help of a popular parenting concept is speaking out about how it’s shaped her family’s lives.
Laynah Rose Crawley, who calls herself “The Fun Homeschool Mom” on Instagram, said she first heard the term “sittervising” from Seattle-based mom Susie Allison, who had written about it on her blog, “The Busy Toddler.”
“As soon as I heard her say it, it gave me permission to be hands-off with my kids,” Crawley told Fox News Digital.
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“And it was like, ‘Oh, [this is] opening a whole new world for me.’”
“Sittervising” is a combination of the words “sitting” and “supervising.” A blog post by Allison entitled “Why you’ll find me sittervising,” has attracted attention among parents online ever since it was posted in 2022.
Two children play together without parental hovering or interference. A Mississippi mother has become a huge advocate of the parenting trend known as sittervising after she heard about it from a blogger. (Laynah Rose Crawley)
Crawley described the method as “allowing children to play independently in the same room as you without [the parents] getting involved in their play.”
The way Crawley has incorporated sittervising in her life over the years has developed, she said, as her two boys have grown.
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Crawley became a mom of two in 2018 when she adopted a toddler just months after giving birth to a son.
One of her Crawley’s young sons, Bryan, is pictured here. The mom describes sittervising as allowing “children to play independently in the same room as you without [the parents] getting involved in their play.” (Laynah Rose Crawley)
“I didn’t know what to do with a toddler, and I didn’t know what to do with a newborn, so it was kind of like double newness for me,” Crawley said.
“They were so demanding for a good reason. There are so many activities that we have to be so hands-on with. And then when I realized that play was something I could be hands-off with — that was a breakthrough moment.”
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When her boys were around the ages of three and two, Crawley began sittervising to teach them independence.
It also gave her a chance to rest for a period of time.
She would play with them for five or 10 minutes to establish a form of connection — an “emotional need” that Crawley highlights among her parenting methods.
Crawley lets her boys play on their own without any adult interjection, and she will take the opportunity to accomplish tasks around the house. Crawley’s son Benjamin is pictured here playing with a toy cash register. (Laynah Rose Crawley)
After playing with them for some time, Crawley takes a step back as the boys continue playing by themselves.
She also noted that the environment will change over time as the kids grow.
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“There’s a quote that I love that says, ‘Control the environment, release a child.’ You can sittervise anywhere at any age as long as there are safety measures in place [or] a contained space.”
With independence comes freedom, said Crawley — and sittervising allows kids to play in fun, creative ways outside the boundaries that adults may construct.
“There’s a quote that I love that says, ‘Control the environment, release a child.’ You can sittervise anywhere at any age as long as there are safety measures in place [or] a contained space.” (Laynah Rose Crawley)
“They’re making up their own rules and societies, and they’re just learning so much about play when an adult doesn’t get involved.”
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Allowing her kids to experience some freedom and independence has paid off, said Crawley, as she’s noticed more confidence and creativity in them along with an improvement in speech and social skills.
Sittervising promotes confidence in both children and parents, said one mom. Kids get comfortable as parents begin to trust their young ones’ decisions. (Laynah Rose Crawley)
When her kids were younger, she found herself “getting burned out” regularly, which is partly why she began using sittervising techniques.
Crawley said she feels like a “big kid mom” now that her boys, Bryan, 6, and Benjamin, 5, have gotten a little older.
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“There’s more distance, and they get more space,” she said. “They can even go to the neighbor’s house and I can see them in the front yard out the window.”
“So I guess sittervising kind of graduated into more and more space as they build their confidence and I build my confidence in them — knowing that they’re not getting into trouble.”
Crawley, pictured with her husband, Matthew, and their kids at the beach, said she’s loved seeing the children grow in confidence over time. (Annie Cooper Photography/@anniecooper.photography)
Don Grant, PhD, a psychologist, researcher and national adviser for Healthy Device Management of Newport Healthcare in Los Angeles, California, told Fox News Digital that he feels sittervising could be useful to parents who need a break once in a while.
Parents should also be mindful of the importance of attachment theory, he said.
“They can even go to the neighbor’s house and I can see them in the front yard out the window,” said Crawley of how she “sittervises” on a daily basis. (Annie Cooper Photography/@anniecooper.photography)
“This is just allowing your child to be able to see that you’re there,” he said. “This is very important, especially in those early years of building attachment.”
“It’s important that your child can check in.”
“They’re thriving academically. They’re thriving physically and emotionally. And sittervising is just another way for them to thrive.”
Grant said sittervising should comprise more than just a parent sitting near their child but without an awareness of what they’re doing; the parent needs to be observant and ready to hop into a situation if necessary.
When children look up, “all they need is reassurance,” he said. “This builds a very strong, secure attachment.”
He added, “And if the child looks up even just to check to make sure you’re still there, you make eye contact and smile.”
Grant agreed that sittervising can promote independence as parents let children be creative and imaginative on their own.
Crawley, shown with her family, calls herself “The Fun Homeschool Mom” on Instagram. (Annie Cooper Photography/@anniecooper.photography)
Crawley said she has enjoyed seeing her boys grow in independent play.
“I just love watching them thrive in every way,” she said.
Crawley’s two boys are pictured when they were a bit younger. “There are so many activities that we have to be so hands-on with,” she said of parenting. “And then when I realized that play was something I could be hands-off with — that was a breakthrough moment.” (Laynah Rose Crawley)
“They’re thriving academically. They’re thriving physically and emotionally,” she said.
“And sittervising is just another way for them to thrive.”
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FIRST ON FOX: Soon-to-be Virginia Democratic Gov. Abigail Spanberger has tapped the former “chief brand strategist” for Rep. Jasmine Crockett, D-Texas, to serve in the state’s top diversity, equity and inclusion role.
In a Tuesday statement, Spanberger, who takes office on Jan. 17, announced she is appointing Dr. Sesha Joi Moon to serve as Virginia’s chief diversity officer and director of diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Spanberger said that Moon’s “experience across government, education, and the nonprofit sectors gives her firsthand insight into the ways in which we can build a stronger, safer, and more prosperous Virginia for every family.”
“I’m excited to announce that Dr. Moon is joining our administration,” said Spanberger, adding, “Virginia deserves leaders who will make sure our work to grow our Commonwealth’s economy keeps the needs of all Virginians in mind.”
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Virginia Democratic Governor-elect Abigail Spanberger celebrates as she takes the stage during her election night rally at the Greater Richmond Convention Center on Nov. 04, 2025. (Win McNamee/Getty Images)
“When every Virginian has the opportunity to reach their full potential, it benefits all of us,” she said.
Moon, whose doctorates are in public administration and policy and self-identifies as a “Black queer woman,” responded to her appointment by saying she is looking “forward to joining the cabinet of Governor-elect Abigail Spanberger as her historic administration works to advance a future in which all Virginians have access to opportunity — to include residents from some of the hardest-to-reach communities throughout the Commonwealth.”
Moon most recently served as the chief impact officer for the Girl Scouts of the USA. Before that, through her private consultant practice Moon & Associates, she worked as the “chief brand strategist” for Crockett, a radical far-left Democrat who is currently running for the U.S. Senate in Texas.
Earlier this year, Moon appeared on a 40-minute podcast episode, where she defended the importance of DEI and delivered a direct message to critics, saying, “This work has not stopped. You can defund and dismantle all you want, but the work continues.”
“I’m excited. I feel like DEI is just getting started,” Moon continued. “I know that sounds so insane to some people because some people think our discipline is crumbling, and I don’t see it like that. I feel like we’re onto something here.”
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Rep. Jasmine Crockett, D-Texas, a member of the House Judiciary Committee, arrives on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2025. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)
Moon also served as executive-in-residence with two-time failed Georgia gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams’ American Pride Rises Network, a DEI advocacy network.
Before that, she was the chief diversity officer of the U.S. House of Representatives during the 117th & 118th Congresses under Speakers Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., and Mike Johnson, R-La.
Spanberger won a decisive electoral victory this November, defeating Republican Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears by a margin of over 10 percentage points.
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Then Republican Virginia gubernatorial candidate Winsome Earle-Sears speaks at a CPAC Latino Rally for Virginia on October 25, 2025 in Sterling, Virginia. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)
Considered a purple state, Spanberger’s victory returns the Virginia governor’s mansion to the Democrats after being held by Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin.
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Fox News Digital reached out to Spanberger, Moon, Crockett, Abrams and the Girl Scouts of the USA for comment but did not receive a response by the time of publication.
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Southeast
NASCAR star Denny Hamlin gives health update on mom after she was injured in deadly house fire
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NASCAR star Denny Hamlin shared an update on his mother’s condition after she was moved to a burn unit following a house fire in North Carolina that left his father dead earlier this week.
Hamlin thanked those who reached out to him and shared their condolences. Dennis Hamlin died from injuries suffered in the blaze that occurred in Stanley.
Denny Hamlin looks on prior to a NASCAR Cup Series auto race at Charlotte Motor Speedway, Sunday, Oct. 5, 2025, in Concord, North Carolina. (AP Photo/Matt Kelley, File)
“Thank you to everyone who has reached out with condolences on my father’s passing,” he wrote on X. “My mother continues to improve, and our family truly appreciates the outpouring of support and the respect for our privacy during this time.”
Officials said Mary Lou Hamlin was transferred to a burn specialist in Winston-Salem to treat her injuries.
Officials said the cause of the fire was still under investigation.
The fire broke out at a home in Stanley around 6 p.m. ET on Sunday, which drew emergency responses from Gaston and Lincoln Counties, according to Queen City News.
NASCAR Cup Series driver Denny Hamlin during practice for the Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway on Feb. 12, 2025. (Mark J. Rebilas/Imagn Images)
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Both Dennis and Mary Lou Hamlin were out of the house as emergency personnel rushed to the scene.
“We are thankful for the multiple agency response and ask that the public be in prayer for the affected family and our first responders in fire, GEMs and police,” the Lucia-Bend Fire Department said in a statement to the outlet.
Dennis Hamlin’s death was announced later Monday.
NASCAR released a statement on Tuesday to honor the NASCAR driver’s father.
“NASCAR extends its deepest condolences to Denny Hamlin and the entire Hamlin family,” the organization said.
Denny Hamlin, driver of the #11 Progressive Toyota, exits his car after the NASCAR Cup Series Championship at Phoenix Raceway on Nov. 2, 2025, in Avondale, Arizona. (James Gilbert/Getty Images)
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“Dennis Hamlin instilled a love of racing in his son, and sacrificed greatly to develop Denny into a world-class talent in the sport. We also continue to offer our thoughts and prayers to Denny’s mother, Mary Lou, and hope for her full recovery.”
Fox News’ Paulina Dedaj contributed to this report.
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Southeast
Repeat offender truck driver charged with bank robbery after claiming C-4 explosives, firing on officers: feds
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A North Carolina truck driver, who is a repeat offender, has been federally charged following a bank robbery and a shootout with law enforcement, authorities said.
Willie Edward McGee Jr. is charged with bank robbery and discharging a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence, according to a complaint.
Authorities said that McGee entered a First Citizens Bank in Zebulon, North Carolina, on Dec. 26, and demanded money from a teller while claiming to have C-4 explosives. The teller gave him $3,234, and McGee fled in a semi-truck, they said.
Law enforcement officers from multiple agencies responded to an armed bank robbery investigation that led to the arrest of Willie Edward McGee Jr. in Rocky Mount, North Carolina. (U.S. Attorney’s Office, Eastern District of North Carolina)
Deputies with the Rocky Mount Police Department said that McGee’s truck was found in a Hobby Lobby parking lot following the initial robbery.
According to surveillance and officers at the scene, McGee allegedly exited the vehicle armed with a Ruger AR-style 5.56 rifle and fired at officers.
Police returned fire and struck McGee. No law enforcement officers or civilians were injured. While taking McGee into custody, officers recovered the AR rifle he allegedly used to shoot at officers and a handgun from his waistband.
No officers or members of the public were injured as law enforcement safely took the suspect into custody after a coordinated response in Rocky Mount. (U.S. Attorney’s Office, Eastern District of North Carolina)
McGee, according to records reviewed by WRAL-News, has a lengthy criminal history. The local outlet said that the suspect has dozens of charges dating back more than 20 years.
WRAL reported that he has offenses spanning from Duplin, Wake and Durham counties.
Federal and local law enforcement recovered guns and evidence following the arrest of a suspect charged with armed bank robbery and discharging a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence. (U.S. Attorney’s Office, Eastern District of North Carolina)
Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche called the incident “domestic terror.”
“As alleged, this defendant didn’t just rob a bank — he threatened innocent civilians with explosives and then opened fire on police officers,” Blanche said. “That is not desperation, it is domestic terror. Thanks to the extraordinary courage and professionalism of our law enforcement partners, he is alive, in custody, and facing decades in federal prison.”
“Let this serve as a warning: if you bring violence into our communities or target the men and women who protect them, this Department of Justice will meet you with the full weight of the federal government and ensure you are removed from the streets for a very long time.”
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The investigation remains active. Anyone with further information about the alleged crimes is asked to please call the FBI at (704) 672-6100. Fox News Digital has reached out to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Eastern District of North Carolina, for comment.
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