For some people, it takes years to spread online. For Chelsea Anderson (@chelsea_explains on Instagram or @ChelseaExplainsItAll on TikTok), it happened in one video.
In her first post, Anderson introduced herself as the Michael Jordan of babysitting, someone who can get her kids to do anything without a fight, and as parents our ears perked up in unison. This video focused on turning bedtime into a pajama fashion show. The models had to put on their favorite pajamas, comb their hair, brush their teeth and walk to bed for the win… Nothing really happened, but everyone had fun and there were no fights.
Certainly babysitter Michael Jordan agreed with the parenting internet. Parents don’t often appreciate advice from people without children, but when Chelsea posts, they listen. “And then it just exploded from there,” Anderson says of her online journey.
“I’ve always loved kids, and I think that really clicked when I started babysitting. I also remember very clearly what it was like to be a kid, and I thought that was normal, but when I talk to other adults, I realize that maybe it’s a little unusual. I’m like, ‘Don’t you remember exactly what it was like at recess in second grade?'” My childhood memories are helping me come up with all of these ideas. I only shared one on a whim, but my parents wanted more, so I felt like I had been given a million. I’m very happy to share it. ”
Scary Mommy spoke to Anderson about her best tips and tricks for surviving the rest of summer while the kids are at home, as well as her partnership with Pirate’s Booty to promote her imaginative play guide, which is available for free download online.
Scary Mommy: You’re famously not a mother, but you’ve still achieved a prestigious position in the online parenting field. So I’m curious: Is there something that you clearly see about children that perhaps the rest of us are too deep in the trenches to realize?
Chelsea Anderson: I think I consider myself more of an authority on play than on parenting. Of course, I’m not going to give anyone parenting advice, but I’ve had a lot of fun sharing what has worked for hundreds of kids and encouraging parents to try it on their kids.
Perhaps what some parents miss is that it only takes a little bit to get a child into imaginative play. It doesn’t have to be super complicated, so many of the videos I post and many of the Captain Bob’s Summer Quest ideas are just the starting point you need to complete a fun afternoon, even if it just involves using paper towels.
SM: What’s your laziest and easiest hack to entertain your kids? Like when it’s too hot to go outside? and What if I don’t want you to watch TV for 4 hours straight?
California: My biggest thing is invention. Children are born inventors. When you give kids the materials and permission to invent, they start learning it from there. You can attach any type of story. I always tell parents, “Be careful with recycling.” There’s probably so much in there that you can wash it and store it aside. And when you’re in a pinch and want to sit on the couch, allow your kids to invent.
SM: I loved it. Video about “Magic Words” And how to hack how people react to you depending on how you speak. Do you have a favorite magic word to use with your children?
California: One of my biggest things, and this is a little more of an idea than just words, is to imagine how the characters would do things that your child probably doesn’t really want to do. So perhaps a pet rabbit is more willing to eat vegetables than a small child, or a pirate is more willing to walk peg-footed to the car. Adding a little story always requires a little magic cheat code. What if we were someone else who wanted to do this instead of who we really were?
SM: What is the most magical thing a child has ever taught you? you?
California: Ah, that’s a very good question. I think it’s a bit of a commitment, to be honest. Children quickly become absorbed in play. They don’t worry about whether they’re doing a good job or whether they’re doing something perfectly. To be honest, I’ve applied that my entire life. Because as soon as you seek perfection, you stop trying something. And when you bring that energy of play into everything in your life, you reduce risk and open up your problem-solving skills and imagination.
SM: The conversation about this invention makes me wonder: Have you ever noticed that parents spend too much money on things we don’t need? If an old milk jug is just as satisfying, then toys might be the answer.
California: I think it’s a toy that only does one thing. If a toy is specialized in its function, it will quickly become boring. And this is almost counterintuitive, since most of the time the toys that kids play with the longest don’t look the most appealing. It could be just a block, or it could be something like a colorful scarf or something in the trash can. However, these items tend to encourage better play and longer play because they allow you to be a creator rather than a consumer.
SM: It’s summer now, so we’re all thinking a lot about our kids’ screen time, and we’re just kicking ourselves about how we’re going to take care of our kids when they’re out of school while working. Help? What should I do?
California: After more than 20 years of babysitting, I’ve noticed that children are as creative as they ever were. So if you give them a starting point, like Captain Bob’s Summer Quest, you can get started right away. This will work well across age groups and generations. Because children are naturally very creative.
Parents put a lot of pressure on themselves to create the perfect Pinterest moment. What I love about this activity guide is that it’s super easy, and fun and easy aren’t mutually exclusive. If a family downloads this guide and spends an afternoon with no screen time, I’d consider it a total win.
This interview has been lightly edited for length and clarity.
