Sittervising – a portmanteau of sitting and supervising – is a parenting “trend” that’s been gathering steam over the past few years.The phrase was coined by Susie Allison, a former teacher and mum-of-three who runs the Busy Toddler. It refers to the act of “supervising [children] from a seated position”.Sittervising might be more beneficial than you thinkAllison said that sittervising is a “conscious decision” she’s made in her parenting and is “steeped in child development research, best practices, and a deep knowledge of pedagogy”.The thought process is that adults interfere with, and change how, kids play. So by taking a step back and sitting somewhere else, while watching them from a safe distance, you’re helping them to boost their skills. She suggested these include: problem solving, risk management, communication skills, imagination, divergent thinking, and cooperation.That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be playing with your kids at all – of course, not. As Allison wrote on her website: “Playing with kids is also a fantastic way to build a relationship with them (but far from the only way).“But it’s important to recognise there are some skills that can’t develop fully if we are forever and always playing with them or forever and alway