Television Review: Supernanny
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What Parents Should Know
Parents need to know that occasionally there's a parent who
yells or spanks their child. Kids may think it's funny to see
other children misbehaving, but overall this show will probably
be more interesting to parents than kids.
Families can talk about the behavior of the children and the
strategies utilized to overcome this behavior. Were these
strategies successful? Do they think the parents will be able
to keep up these strategies when Supernanny and the cameras
leave? Is it realistic to solve a discipline problem so quickly
and easily? And finally, how do cultural factors play a role in
parenting?
For every parent who feels like throwing in the towel, there's hope on the way. She's the SUPERNANNY, one of the most popular exports from the U.K. in years. In every episode Jo Frost studies how a family functions together. What is the bedtime ritual? What is the family's philosophy on discipline? How are the parents working together? What are the individual needs of the child? All these questions and more are super-analyzed on the first day. She then works with the parents on overcoming the behavioral challenges demonstrated by the child. It's no surprise that often it's the parent's behavior that works against the child's. The teaching begins on changing the models of play, discipline, eating, bedtime, and even pottytime. She continues her study of the family and supports the parents as they take on the Supernanny's prescription for better parenting.
Supernanny was an overnight success in Britain and in the States, but one has to wonder about the appeal to the kid viewer. This is a show for parents to learn through other parent's mistakes and victories. If kids want to watch, they may discover the challenges of parenting or snicker at some of the awful behavior displayed by the young children. Chances are, they'll get bored and wonder off to do some of their own mischief.
Nanny McPheeThe Nanny
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