Tricks

[Anonymous]

After 10 years as a nanny, I thought I had plenty of tricks up my sleeve for getting kids to learn/do things in a fun way. But I've recently started weekend babysitting for an awesome family that's teaching me so many cute ideas! For example, every night after bath, their dad hides the kids' pajamas somewhere in their room. The kids LOVE "hunting Jammie's" and are enthusiastic to put them on since Dad pretends he doesn't want them to find them. They also have a great saying, "if you don't make it, you don't break it". This is for building play (sandcastles, Legos, blocks, etc) so kids don't knock over each other's creations.
I'm starting integrating these tricks into my nanny and auntie life. What are some things you do to get kids to behave/learn in a fun way? Have you ever stolen ideas from fellow nannies or parents?

[Anonymous]

I really really love -You get what you get an you don't get upset!

[Anonymous]

I had a wonderful trick for eating: "Dinner is ready. You have to take a tiny taste of anything new."

My trick for bedtime: "bathtime, story time. Bedtime."


I must be Houdini because both worked all of the time.

[Anonymous]

I've never heard the hiding jammies thing- that's a cute idea! I hate bedtime shenanigans.

[Anonymous]

My 3 kids would constantly pretend to not hear me if I call them into the kitchen, especially if they were in another room. So I started this game that I would call them and silently count to 10. Any child that came within that time received a treat of lolly snakes occasionally.

Sometimes when they came, i would have a few jobs for them to do.

Now when I call, they come zooming in and they really don't know if it's 'treat' time or job time. Haha it works and they love it.

[Anonymous]

My two favorite phrases I find myself using daily are: "Fair doesn't always mean equal" and "You get what you get and you don't throw a foot!"

[Anonymous]

We do "clean hands club" at the table and "I'm going to wait while you find your manners" all the time. Solves 98% of our discipline needs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My two favorite phrases I find myself using daily are: "Fair doesn't always mean equal" and "You get what you get and you don't throw a foot!"

don't throw a foot? Is it a joke that I'm missing or did you mean don't throw a fit?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My 3 kids would constantly pretend to not hear me if I call them into the kitchen, especially if they were in another room. So I started this game that I would call them and silently count to 10. Any child that came within that time received a treat of lolly snakes occasionally.

Sometimes when they came, i would have a few jobs for them to do.

Now when I call, they come zooming in and they really don't know if it's 'treat' time or job time. Haha it works and they love it.

New candy or misspelling?

[Anonymous]

Lolly is another word for candy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Lolly is another word for candy.

Where are they called Lolly Snakes instead of Gummy Worms (which is what I have always heard them called)??

[Anonymous]

Like lots of these ideas. Keep posting!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Lolly is another word for candy.

Where are they called Lolly Snakes instead of Gummy Worms (which is what I have always heard them called)??

British?

[Anonymous]

Put your tears in your pocket!

[Anonymous]

Sometimes I pretend the kids have "lost" their listening ears. I look under the couch, behind the bookcase, in their pockets and belly buttons, I pretend to see it somewhere, sneak up on it, then grab it real fast and run to "attach" them back on the kid. Then I make sure they know how tired I am from all that searching so "please be very careful not to lose them again!". It totally works!
I also pretend whining hurts my ears. When they whine, I gasp and clutch my ears dramatically. "Ouch! That whining really hurts my ears. If you need to do that, could you please go where it won't hurt me?" It pretty much ALWAYS delivers a "nice" voice.
If they hand me their trash or things they don't want to put away (milk cup, unfinished snack) I'll turn to another person and ask "oh no! Did you turn me into a garbage can/refrigerator/lunch box with your magic wand?" They say "noooooo" and I say "oh I'm so relieved! Then why is 'child' trying to put trash in me?". My current charges know this one well and now catch themselves mid motion and laugh "noooooo, you're not a garbage can" then head to the trash instead.