As a nanny, I often find that the smallest tasks—like getting a child to carry their own backpack—can turn into unexpected challenges. One day, I picked up a child from school, and he flat-out refused to carry his bag. Instead of giving in, I encouraged him by reminding him that all his classmates carried theirs. After some patience and a little creativity, he finally picked it up himself! Teaching responsibility in these moments is key, and in this post, I share my best strategies for turning small battles into learning moments.

Mealtime doesn’t have to be stressful for kids or caregivers. With a few simple strategies, you can transform mealtime into a positive, enjoyable experience for everyone. Here I share some tips that have worked wonders with the children I care for.