I was little, and running naked by the sea felt completely normal.
And not just for kids. In many European countries, grown-ups often “forget” to put their bathing suit tops on, and let’s just say… no one is pointing fingers. Lol
Meanwhile, after I immigrated to the U.S. and became a mom, there I was—dressing my 9-month-old daughter in a two-piece swimsuit.
It made me realize: It’s not the clothes—it’s all the “shoulds.”
Let’s strip them back.
First, overbooking activities.
I remember the smell of wet earth and the feel of muddy hands as a child playing outdoors. No rigid schedule—just the wind, laughter, and endless imagination. Now, I watch children being rushed from one structured activity to the next.
At one point, Julia, at just 2½ years old, was doing ballet, jazz, gymnastics, private singing lessons, and Irish dance… all at the same time. Maybe I’d keep a teenager that busy. But a toddler?
The takeaway? It’s not structure that’s wrong—it’s when we forget to leave room for wonder. Let’s allow them space to play, breathe, and lead the way.
Ask yourself: Am I signing my child up because everyone else is, or because it fits our family’s rhythm? Let them have space to breathe.
Second, pushing early academics.
Is pushing early milestones about your child, or about external expectations? Have you seen those Instagram reels of very young children performing lightning-fast mental math?
Impressive? Absolutely. But what happens behind the scenes? Does learning feel joyful or pressured? Curious or performative?
I believe in early exposure to learning. But through play, not pressure.
When we began homeschooling Adrian at just 22 months, he loved it because learning was completely child-led. There were no drills, worksheets, or endless letter repetitions to prove what he knew.
Instead, our days included sensory play, outdoor adventures, read-alouds, and playful language games. We played “I Spy” and gathered objects around the house that began with the sound A.
We followed his curiosity rather than a rigid curriculum.
Because curiosity is the engine of learning.
Children thrive when learning feels meaningful, engaging, and developmentally appropriate. Early academics do not have to come at the expense of childhood.
The takeaway? Early academics are not the enemy. Pressure is.
When learning grows from play, movement, connection, and joy, children naturally become more engaged. They explore, ask questions, and often want to learn more.
That is how we nurture not only early skills but also a lifelong love of learning. And that love? That is the real flex.
P.S. Want to nurture your child’s language development through playful, intentional, Montessori-inspired learning? Explore my Montessori Language Course. It embraces the same philosophy: early exposure through joy, not drills.
want more.They even ask for it.
Third, childhood independence.
When I was in first grade, I walked to school alone. Some days, I took public transportation. No fanfare. No anxiety. Just trust.
My parents cared deeply. They simply believed independence was something to nurture gradually, not something I had to earn later.
I still remember walking through deep snow in sixth grade to attend a literature club that started at 7 a.m. The school’s single glowing light guided me through the darkness. I remember feeling purposeful, capable, and exactly where I wanted to be.
That memory is not a trauma. It is a treasured part of my childhood.
Fast-forward to parenting in the United States. We hover, track, and escort our children from one supervised moment to the next. (Me included, lol!)
This is not about judgment. Safety, culture, and circumstances matter.
But here is a question worth asking:
Have we confused protection with preparation?
We want confident, capable children, yet sometimes we struggle to let them make mistakes, face small challenges, or try again without immediately stepping in.
Independence does not mean throwing children into the deep end. It means giving them age-appropriate opportunities to grow.
- Let them pour their own water and clean up spills.
- Allow them to walk a short distance ahead when safe.
- Give them small responsibilities that communicate, “I believe in you.”
Confidence grows through experience, not just encouragement.
I see it in my own children. That quiet pride when they realize, “I did this myself.” Each small success helps them trust their own abilities.
The takeaway? Independence is not just about age. It is about opportunity.
Ask yourself: Where can I step back just a little so my child can step forward?
Every small freedom you offer today can help build inner confidence for tomorrow.
And that kind of confidence? You cannot buy it. You build it, one small experience at a time.
Things I’m obsessed with right now:
• JV Hearts Collection. (I cannot decide which one. Too many cute ones! Lol)
• This body scale. (Works like a DEXA scan, but at home. And it’s on sale too, 35% off.)
• This hair regrowth supplement. (It actually works. I literally have a halo of new hair I now have to tame when I film.)
• This collagen peptide powder. (Not going to lie, it tastes horrid, so I mix it with this Glow Immune Booster.)
• This stain remover. (It really works, even on the toughest stains.)
Ok, my sweet friend 💛
This newsletter was a little longer than usual, and I’m curious.
Did you enjoy it? Hit reply and tell me.
Do you like this new “Things I’m obsessed with right now” add-on?
I’m always shaping this space with you in mind, so your feedback truly means everything to me.
Can’t wait to hear your thoughts,
Anya
P.S. If you want more real-life conversations like this, come listen to The Anya Garcia Show. It’s where I go deeper into parenting, mindset, and early years magic.
P.P.S. And if language development is on your heart right now, you can take a look at my Montessori Language Course. It’s playful, child-led, and built to support learning without pressure.
