Super Nanny
For those who have not watched this series on Channel 4, Tuesdays at 9pm, it is a reality TV series. Jo Frost, alias Super Nanny, is a trouble shooter who teaches parenting skills to parents whose children are seriously out of their control.
In this week’s episode the young parents seemed pleasant and caring, but had brought up their four small children to be as independent as possible, with the result that the kids were running the household. The eldest, a boy, was only seven and was seen cooking bacon and eggs in a frying pan, whilst kneeling on the work surface next to the cooker, as he was too small to reach from the floor. He also borrowed his father’s credit card and would bid for toys on e-bay! In fact all the children did what they wanted, when they wanted, without any reference to the parents at all! Super Nanny assessed the situation, drew up some rules, and explained them to the children and parents. She then set about getting some order in this household, where respect for parental authority was completely lacking. With the frequent use of the ‘naughty bench’ where the children would have to sit for one minute for each year of their age, if they continued to misbehave after a warning, order was brought into this chaotic situation.
I have to admit that watching a programme like Super Nanny doesn’t half make one feel a little smug that one’s own little darlings were never that bad!
It isn't easy to be a good parent, but one has to be consistent. If it is wrong one day, it is wrong the next.
Rules are necessary; each family must decide what they are and stick to them. My children had to be polite and have respect for others. Please and thank you were expected from a very young age. You have to start in the cradle. Whenever I handed the baby a toy, I would say the name of the toy and "thank you". I still do this with my grandchildren, even little Torin (8 months) says, "Ta".
The most important thing is for a parent to have confidence in their ability to parent. You are in authority over your children, and whilst that authority should be pleasant and loving, you are still in charge, and the children should know and respect that. On Super Nanny we see families where the youngsters are in control. Not good for children, parents or society!