Supernanny Rules

An Ode To Supernanny

by Rhys on November 20th, 2005

Oh, Supernanny! How I love thee!

I don’t know why I like this show so much. Generally, I try to avoid children these days. Perhaps it’s all those years of being a nanny myself. I was a great nanny. Really. But it’s definitely not my career choice; it takes a dedication and passion I do not possess, but luckily, Jo Frost does.

And besides, it’s always thrilling to see a bratty kid get a smackdown. Not that Supernanny smacks, of course. Oh, no. She speaks, sometimes firmly, sometimes kindly. She puts children in a ‘naughty chair.’ She points out what should be extremely obvious (but never is) to parents such as, “Pay attention to your children” and, my absolute favorite, “Do not let your seven-year-old punch you in the teeth.”

Jo is public in her views against corporal punishment, especially since the UK is attempting to pass a law banning the use of all corporal punishment on children. It’s amazing to think this is the same land Dickens’ orphans came from, the ill-used and abused English children of yesteryear. I admire her conviction, and not just because I completely agree with her.

Interestingly, no matter how bratty the kids are when Jo arrives, it only takes her about three hours implementing the obvious to turn these kids into angels. Which makes the parents seem even more pathetic.

Even with its proven success, Supernanny’s form of discipline will not be embraced by everyone.

I can only imagine the ribbing Supernanny would’ve taken from my folks. Southern Mama discipline (which I grew up with) took an entirely different approach. Namely, the kid was sent outside to pick out a whipping switch. And in case you ever find yourself in this situation–every Southern kid knows the secret–the little puny switches on the tree ARE NOT the best to pick. Only a Yankee neophyte would do this. Those skinny little switches will stripe your legs and sting like razor blades. Nope, you go for the big fat branch. This has the added bonus of making the parent feel guilty to be hitting you with such a huge weapon, and they often will barely tap you.

There was always the hairbrush whack, too. My bum has broken more hairbrushes than I can count in my lifetime. I’m rather proud of that.

Whether you’re a Supernanny follower or Southern Mama disciple, you gotta love Supernanny.

If you don’t, you’re being very naughty.

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POSTED IN: Parenting