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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A new law in Florida will support the need to keep first responders safe while working a call.
Senate Bill 184 will go into effect on Jan. 1 and will prohibit a person, after receiving a warning, from approaching a first responder engaged in the lawful performance of their job.
The law is aimed at helping police, fire and EMS personnel stay focused while performing critical first aid.
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A new Florida law will keep first responders safe by prohibiting a person from approaching any police, fire or EMS personnel while working on a call. (Delray Beach Police Department)
It will create a 25-foot barrier around the responder, keeping the public at bay. It also includes keeping the public from threatening and harassing the responders while they are trying to do their jobs.
Violators will receive a warning initially, but could face criminal penalties if they don’t heed it.
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People who approach a first responder on the job will initially receive a warning, but could face a fine and up to 60 days in jail. (iStock)
The new law comes with a penalty of up to 60 days in jail and a $500 fine.
The bill also outlines that a violator could face a second-degree misdemeanor.
The law considers first responders to be law enforcement officers, corrections officers, firefighters and emergency medical personnel. (REUTERS/Mike Segar)
It also specifies the definition of “first responder” to include law enforcement officers, a correctional probation officer, firefighters and emergency medical care providers.
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The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries is reiterating the importance of hunting safety after a man was shot by a hunter who mistook him for a deer.
Law enforcement agents responded to a shooting involving two hunters on property in Zachary, a city in East Baton Rouge Parish, on Dec. 23, the department said on Facebook.
The two hunters were unknowingly hunting deer on the “same small private property” when one hunter mistook the other for a deer and accidentally shot him.
Both men had permission to be on the property, according to local media.
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A Louisiana hunter was cited for two violations after accidentally shooting another hunter, who he mistook for a deer, while they were both on the same “small” property, according to the state’s Department of Wildlife and Fisheries. (iStock)
He was hit with buckshot from a 20-gauge shotgun, the agency said. The shooter immediately called 911 for help once he realized he had shot a man and not a deer.
The wounded hunter was airlifted to Our Lady of the Lake Hospital in Baton Rouge with non-fatal injuries. Law enforcement did not state where the man was shot.
The hunter accidentally shot a man with buckshot from a 20-gauge shotgun. (iStock)
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When law enforcement investigated what took place, they discovered neither hunter was wearing orange or had deer tags in their possession. The shooter was cited for both violations.
LDWF said additional charges are possible as the investigation remains active.
The agency reminded all hunters to prioritize safety by always wearing orange, which is required by law, and positively identifying your target and surroundings before firing your weapon.
It is required by law to wear orange or pink when hunting deer during gun season in Louisiana. (iStock)
“Let’s work together to prevent incidents like this and ensure everyone enjoys the outdoors safely,” LDWF said.
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President-elect Donald Trump congratulated and thanked Florida state Rep. Hillary Cassel after the Sunshine State lawmaker announced her decision to dump her Democratic Party affiliation and join the GOP.
“Today, I am announcing my decision to change my party affiliation from Democrat to Republican,” Cassel said in a statement. “I will be joining the Republican Conference of the Florida House of Representatives because I believe in their vision for a better, more prosperous Florida.”
In a statement hailing the move, Trump urged more Democrats to defect.
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Left: Republican presidential nominee and former U.S. President Donald Trump smiles during a Hispanic roundtable at Beauty Society on Oct. 12, 2024 in North Las Vegas, Nevada; Right: Florida state Rep. Hillary Cassel (Left: Ethan Miller/Getty Images; Right: flhouse.gov)
“Congratulations to Hillary Cassel for becoming the second State Representative from the Great State of Florida to switch her Party affiliation from Democrat to Republican, once more expanding the GOP Supermajority in the State House! I would further like to invite other Disillusioned Democrats to switch Parties, and join us on this noble quest to Save our Country and, Make America Great Again – GREATER THAN EVER BEFORE. THANK YOU HILLARY!” Trump exclaimed in a Truth Social post.
Cassel’s announcement came after fellow Florida state Rep. Susan Valdés announced earlier this month that she was switching her registration from Democrat to Republican.
While seeking office in 2022, Cassel described herself as a “proud Democrat,” “pro-choice champion,” and “faithful ally of the LGBTQ+ community.”
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Florida state Rep. Susan Valdés (flhouse.gov)
She also pledged that she would “stand up to #ClimateChange deniers” and “stand up to the NRA and fight for a ban on military style assault rifles and the high capacity ammunition that make them so lethal.”
But now Cassel says the Democratic Party does not reflect her values.
“As a mother, I want to help build a world where our children are judged on their character and their actions not on their labels,” she noted in her statement. “As a proud Jewish woman, I have been increasingly troubled by the Democratic Party’s failure to unequivocally support Israel and its willingness to tolerate extreme progressive voices that justify or condone acts of terrorism. I’m constantly troubled by the inability of the current Democratic Party to relate to everyday Floridians. I can no longer remain in a party that doesn’t represent my values.
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Florida state Rep. Hillary Cassel (flhouse.gov)
“I know I won’t always agree on every detail with every Republican, but I do know that I will always have input, collaboration, and respect. The House Republican Conference empowers members to find common sense solutions to real issues facing all Floridians. They welcome different ideas and collaboration, which is the cornerstone of effective government. Those are my values,” Cassel noted.
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