Supernanny LIVE Blog: Harmony Family
Original Air date: Monday, April 3, 2006
THE FAMILY
Erin - Mom
Jacob - Dad
Jake (11)
Ian (5)
Grant (3) is a toddler, who climbs into M/D bed halfway thru the night
OBSERVATION
Grant throws a fit when Mom leaves for an errand. He’s running down the drive as mom pulls out.
Boys in a trampoline; Ian and Grant pushing (some language; Ian likes “butthead”). Dad wanders into the house leaving Jake to parent his brothers
You can guess how nap-time w/ Grant went: kicking, screaming, etc. At one point mom locks him in the “breezeway,” a screened in porch of some sort.
*Commercial *
Herding the kids for dinner out is greeted with grunts, running, and slapping.
The restaurant is a disaster to which they subject themselves - and the other patrons - 3+ times a week! Back home for bedtime. Jo spends the night, and catches Grant sneaking into M/D’s bed at 3:30 AM. At 3:32 AM, Dad silently hits the couch to continue his sleeping.
PARENTS MEETING
“You guys are pushovers!” These are parents who have given up. Dad never opens his mouth; mom is out of options.
TIP #1 Parents, when leaving toddlers in the care of others, don’t sneak out! Reassure them that you will be back.
* Commercial *
INSTRUCTION BEGINS
Football in the yard. and the “Naughty Spot” is introduced. After a warning for not playing with the family, Ian spends the rest of the afternoon being returned to the naughty spot.
Back in the house, Grant is standing on the kitchen counter when he whacks mom in the head with a spoon or something. Now BOTH younger boys are on - and off - the naughty spot. Eventually, the boys relent. Grant actually says, “Sorry, Mommy.”
Now for an errand. Separation Technique 1. Prepare yourself 2. Explain the situation, and say goodbye 3. Leave immediately. Don’t go back. 4. Occupy the child with something else.
Works like a charm. Dad steps up; Grant finishes his meal; no 100 yd. dash down the driveway.
Next comes bedtime.
* Commercial *
Jo Illustrates the imbalance in parental roles with platters and lunch sacks. Dad - work and discipline (I think he’s being generous.) Mom - work, discipline, meals, baths, homework, bedtime, housework, etc., etc., etc. I like the fact she brought up the both/and: Dad abdicates, and mom hoards.
DINNER OUT
Again, a technique: 1. Bring a backpack with stuff for the kids to do. 2. Dang! I missed it! 3. Clearly set the rules and consequences: Warning, then to the car.
Guess what? It works!
BEDTIME
Dad gets the kids ready, and this is a big deal for mom. Seems she needs to trust him with some things. 3:30AM, Grant tries to crawl into bed w/ mom; but she’s on board with the Back-to-Bed technique. Grant is only up twice!
TIP #2 Naughty spots are just as effective outdoors as indoors, a fact that was illustrated earlier this episode.
NOW, YOU TRY
Mom and Dad’s turn sans Jo.
Dinner out - Dad’s explanation of the rules is weak, but mom sets it right. Nice evening out. Mom’s errands - Well, that doesn’t go so well. Dad’s late to the party. Discipline - Dad’s still milktoast, but mom’s on the ball. Now, however there’s a bit of resentment and no communication between the two… which I’m sure Jo will address during the sitdown.
SITDOWN
Communication is one big issue. Dad’s assertiveness (and Mom’s trust) is the other. Reviewing the errand run, Dad passes the buck: “I should have had more time to get the boys ready.” Jo: “No, you should have gotten Grant involved in something else ASAP.” Again, reviewing discipline, Dad’s just stuttering. Jo: “Why didn’t you say something?” Dad: “Uhhhhhh…..”
* Commercial *
ROLE PLAYING WITH DAD
Will he react? Jo’s got cards on sticks: Hugs; Shouting; Tooth brushing; Fighting. It takes Dad a bit, but he starts to get it. Preemptively planning his reactions so he can better parent his children.
BACK TO ERRANDS
Jo and Mom surprise Dad with an errand. This time Dad steps up and distracts Grant.
During a game, however, Ian acts up, and is takes Dad a while to react. Once he did react, he got the hang of it.
SIDEBAR: I’m pretty sure we’ve got the pajamas that Grant is wearing! Footie-pajamas with cars and trucks, I think. From Carter.
FAMILY UPDATE
As expected life is better.
CLOSING CLIP
Jake has put handcuffs on Grant’s ankles. The cameraman is chasing Grant with a plastic dinosaur.
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POSTED IN: Super Nanny
2 opinions for Supernanny LIVE Blog: Harmony Family
Super Nanny Rules » Time Outs in the Great Outdoors
Apr 19, 2006 at 12:31 pm
[…] In the April 3rd episode, Jo reminded us that a “naughty spot” can be just as effective outdoors as in. In the episode, the Harmony family were playing in their spacious yard, and the “naughty spot” was a corner of the front sidewalk slightly removed from the fun. […]
evorpophy
Nov 27, 2007 at 6:24 pm
Hi, hello, privet
vandegraaff
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