I’m a nanny for 5-year-old twins whose parents recently went through a messy divorce. It’s been challenging watching these sweet kids navigate the emotional fallout. On some days, they’re playful and happy, but when sadness hits, it hits deep—they cry for their dad and wonder if he still loves them. One afternoon, they both had a full meltdown—screaming, crying, even throwing things. I tried everything: snacks, games, puzzles, even taking them outside. Nothing calmed them. They kept begging for their dad, and I couldn’t magically make him appear.
So, I decided to use the laptop their mom sometimes lets me use for creative apps. I found videos of happier times—birthday parties, family vacations—on the laptop and played them. The change was immediate. The twins quieted down, curled up on the couch, and watched with teary, little smiles. It was the first time they calmed that day.
Just then, their mom came home and saw the kids glued to the screen. She assumed they were watching cartoons and snapped at me, saying, “This is what I’m paying you for? Sitting them in front of a screen?” I calmly explained the twins’ meltdown and that the videos were of happy family moments, the only thing that soothed them. Her face softened, and she apologized for snapping.
This experience taught me the delicate balance of caring for kids through emotional upheaval. Sometimes empathy and understanding work better than strict rules. Calm communication with parents is key. I believe I made the right call—the kids were comforted, and the mom understood more about their struggles.
