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Could you appear on a pilot TV show offering advice to families? Volunteers needed

41 replies

AnnMumsnet · 21/06/2011 13:22

You may recall on this thread we asked your views on a new idea for a TV programme which would involve MNers passing on their infinite wisdom to other families in need of advice. The programme makers, Studio Lambert, have taken these comments on board are now ready to proceed to the next step, which is to find Mumsnetters willing to appear on the pilot programme.

Please note, at this stage any filming is just for a mini pilot, which will not be broadcast on TV or anywhere else.

Studio Lambert say: "We have been looking for families who have a problem with a child/teenager, and who would like to get advice from other parents on how to deal with it. We?re now hoping to find some MNetters who would be willing to offer advice to these parents. It might be an unusual tactic which you or one of your friends tried and which was successful. Or maybe it's just a funny anecdote about how you yourself have struggled with a similar issue.

At the moment we're looking at three different problems (see below). Once we have an idea of what advice is out there, we intend to pick one of these problems to focus on, and film a range of different pieces of advice from a range of parents. We will then show this different advice to the parent, and they will try out any options which they like the sound of and think might work for them.

Here's a very brief description of three case studies we're looking to get advice for. If you are interested in being involved, and think you can offer advice on one or all of these issues, please get in touch (see below) and we can explain things further.

Tantrums

A mum of two children (four and 18 months) is looking for advice on how to stop her four year old having tantrums, in particular when they go to the supermarket. She is particularly embarrassed at having to deal with the disapproving looks from other parents as she fails to control her son.

Bed Times/Getting up in the morning

A mum of four children (aged three to 14) is at her wits end about getting her children to go to bed at night and get up in the morning. Her three year old refuses to sleep in her own bed at night - she's tried patiently putting her back into bed every time she gets up, but inevitably the parents end up just giving in and letting her get in with them. This mum also really struggles with getting the 14 year old up in the mornings, and as a result he's often late for school. So she'd love to hear any tricks anyone has for either of these problems.

Unruly Teens

Parents of three children (aged eight to 15) are looking for advice on how to deal with their moody teenage son. He refuses to do his homework, constantly fights with his parents and siblings, and shuts himself away in his bedroom. The parents are specifically looking for advice on how to get him to do his homework, but more generally on any clever ideas on how to get him to be nicer to the rest of the family and not spend all his time holed up in his room.?"

Please do not post advice on this thread - we are looking for folks to volunteer to give advice off line

If you said you were willing to take part in the previous thread we will be making contact directly with you, but we're keen to give more people the chance to contribute. Not everyone who volunteers will end up being filmed as they want to ensure they get a good balance of folks offering advice but if you are selected to take part, it shouldn't be at any cost to you and they will film you in your home (or somewhere mutually agreeable if you'd rather not do this).

If you are interested please email [email protected] with your name, phone number (and best time to call), location, number of children, an outline of why you'd like to take part and which issue you can offer advice on and we will pass on your details to Studio Lambert. They will then make contact with you directly.

Any additional questions please post below and we will endeavour to get answers for you.

Thanks in advance
MNHQ

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Valpollicella · 21/06/2011 23:03

What channel are they hoping this will go out on?

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AnnMumsnet · 22/06/2011 10:08

Hi - I think it would eventually be channel4 - but this is very much early stages...
Thanks to those who have emailed so far!

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TheRhubarb · 22/06/2011 10:30

Custy would be ideal for the teenager ones

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iMemoo · 22/06/2011 11:52

Form an orderly queue ladies Grin

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OhYouBadBadKitten · 22/06/2011 16:44

Do you not want a weather forecaster to give advice on how the weather will be that week for fun family activities?!

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Valpollicella · 23/06/2011 00:09

Is everyone just being terribly respectful or is MNHQ deleting stuff off this thread before we even see it?

Tis the quietest sticky ever

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AnnMumsnet · 23/06/2011 08:15

I have had some emails Val...which is what we wanted! Wink

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OhYouBadBadKitten · 23/06/2011 10:10

I'll take that as a 'no' then.
hmpff.

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TheRhubarb · 23/06/2011 10:30

How about advice on how to deal with unruly Mumsnetters? The scenario is that Mumsnetter A is constantly picking fights, swearing at other posters and talking about bum sex at inappropriate times. Mumsnetter B on the other hand will start tiresome threads about how mumsnet has changed for the worst, how rude everyone is and how no-one understands her.

Advice is needed on how to get Mumsnetter A to grow up and stop the tantrums everytime someone disagrees with her; and for Mumsnetter B to stop being so self-absorbed and to join in family fun and games instead of sulking in her own little thread.

Online answers are more than welcome. Grin

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Mamaz0n · 23/06/2011 10:35

rhubs - I think i am both MNer A & B. Grin

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AnnMumsnet · 23/06/2011 10:43

Sorry OhYouBadBadKitten - didn't mean to ignore you.....I'll pass back the idea! Smile and yours rhubarbo...carry on with the brainstorming!

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Mamaz0n · 23/06/2011 10:47

Is the advice to be given advice from MNers that that person just passes on, or is the Mner going to be the actual agony aunt?

Don't mind presenting other peoples ideas, not sure I want to have the whole of MN telling me off for "wrong" advice.
I would go on a thread for say the teenage son, and offer advice. But there would be others with differing advice.

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TheRhubarb · 23/06/2011 11:01

Mamaz0n, it's obviously that classic case of I am RIGHT and you are WRONG!

Can you imagine these poor parents sheepishly taking on board the criticisms of a bunch of mumsnetters?

"Well you've made a rod there for your own back with that lazy teenager of yours!"

"why doesn't he have a job? Mine were all working from the age of 8 down t'pits, he should be working all day and paying you for his rent!"

"Change all the locks and tell him to find his own place to live from now on the lazy, dirty teen!"

Oh yes, this should be good!

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VeraGood · 23/06/2011 11:02

Id just be really horrible to everyone.
and then teh mail would get me and i'd be red arrowed within an inch of my life.

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noddyholder · 23/06/2011 11:21

God no not unless I had time for major surgery before it.

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AnnMumsnet · 23/06/2011 11:24

Mamaz0n - if you're interested...drop me a line and I can pass it on and the programme makers can talk to you...no obligation!

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TheRhubarb · 23/06/2011 12:52

If you need someone who takes the extreme view all the time (i.e. pc's are the work of the devil, mobile phones are an unnecessary luxury and kids should be seen and not heard) then I'm your woman! Grin

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purplepidjin · 23/06/2011 12:56

Oops, I appear to have had a funny five minutes and messaged Ann... Shock

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Merrylegs · 23/06/2011 14:05

I would want to know the tone of the programme I think.

Is it pithy or deep? Because, actually there could be a whole host of ishoos surrounding, for eg the kicking off teenager.

So is the 'problem family' real. Or just hypothetical?

Because you would give advice in different ways, wouldn't you? If it were hypothetical you might give a cover all repsonse - 'disconnect the xbox'.

If it were real, you would have to look at the family dynamic to see what was actually going on and to be able to offer any meaningful and constructive advice.

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Merrylegs · 23/06/2011 14:08

(That was my question, btw. Not advice Grin)

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FreyaStudioLambert · 23/06/2011 17:29

Hi Merrylegs - For the pilot filming it will be a real family, who will listen to the different advice and then decide which one (or several) they?d like to try.

The five or six mums who we film offering advice will be given background information on the family and the nature of their problem, much in the same way as it works on MN Talk threads. And needless to say, we?ll be extremely careful in the families we pick, in order to make sure there are no serious issues underlying their problem.

In terms of tone, we want it to be serious and intelligent, but also to reflect the humour and irreverence of MN.

Hope this helps.

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FreyaStudioLambert · 23/06/2011 17:31

And thanks to all those who have been in touch so far. If anyone else wants more information about the programme, please drop Ann a line and we'll give you a call to chat further.

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Gooseberrybushes · 23/06/2011 18:29

Grin Ho ho at thoughts of all the know-it-all mumsnetters putting their hands up while innocently looking the other way. Who knows it might lead to a gig on This Morning if you're pretty or controversial enough.

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QuintessentialShadow · 23/06/2011 18:44

But I think underlying problems would be highly entertaining.

Then it would would be a cross of mumsnet, Big Brother and that Nanny (the one with the naughty step and not much else) Wink

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BeerTricksPotter · 23/06/2011 18:45

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Message withdrawn at poster's request.

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