Being a helicopter parent to my kids was driving me insane — then I discovered ‘sittervising’ on TikTok

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Favorite “sittervising” activities include giving her boys popsicle baths — popping them in a warm tub and giving them ice pops to enjoy while she peacefully watches nearby — or sending them on scavenger hunts for specific items in their toy chests as she reclines.

While the benefits for mom and dad are obvious, Allison told The Post that sittervising is also great for kids. Child’s play sans adult intervention can also offer children as young as six months old the chance to experience autonomy while honing lifelong skills such as risk-management, social interaction, healthy communication, sharing, empathy and self-sufficiency. 

“When a mom or dad is constantly involved in playtime, the adult [inadvertently] takes away the child’s opportunity to develop those skills because they’re the ones communicating, problem-solving, critical-thinking and being creative,” said Allison, an author and homeschooling mom of three from Seattle, Wash. 

“Sittervising is an amazing two-for-one [parenting system],” she added. “It allows us to take care of ourselves and our jobs while our children gain important skills that they’ll use their entire lives.”

Still, some digital detractors on TikTok have dubbed the trend “baby boomer parents hardly ever played with them during childhood. And some on Twitter trolled moms of the movement for “quiet quitting” from their parenting posts.

However, despite its emphasis on “sitting,” Allison insists her mothering model has nothing to do with being lazy. 

“It’s not neglectful or lazy parenting. It’s parenting with a purpose,” she said, noting that while the kids are entertaining themselves moms and dads can tackle household chores or professional work duties, rather than cramming in those tasks during nap time. 

“As a parent, I have value and I need to do my job,” said Allison. “And my child has value and needs to do their job of playing.”

Manhattan child and family therapist Liz Morrison agrees that sittervising can be beneficial for kids and adults. But she urges sittervisors to be mindful of how they spend their time while the little ones play alone. 

“It’s important that parents aren’t just sitting on their phones or playing videos or music on [apps],” Morrison said. “If you’re on your phone the kids will eventually realize that you’re totally disengaged from them, and that could have a [negative] effect.”

Instead, she suggested kicking your heels up and relaxing without the distraction of screens, or taking care of things around the house like cooking dinner and folding laundry.

Rose often maximizes her respite by testing out a new hairdo or playing around with makeup, and said sittervising has made her a better parent to her sons.

“Now, I have more patience with them and when I do play with them it’s because I want to [not because I feel like I have to],” she said. “I’m involved and I’m loving and I’m more fun because I’m rested.”