jo frost - extreme parenting

[hellospoon]

Aibu to think she should be prime minister? She's fantastic!

[Orbinator]

Yes, I agree that she shouldn't undermine the parents in front of their kids and she does belittle them regularly. It is sometimes like she is mothering the mother and father herself...odd.

Saw Dr Tanya on a few things and agree she seems more scientific. Not sure if you can say one way is 100% right or the other wrong though. Surely it's up to us as parents to decide which approaches suit our families? I think some families genuinely need this help and hadn't realised the full extent of being a parent before embarking on it. For that I am grateful these progs exist as I think a few kids may actually end up with manners who would otherwise sadly be short changed.

[lisad123]

maybe we should invite her for a live chat on MN

[exoticfruits]

It is always easier for someone who isn't emotionally involved. I read post on Mn about eating problems and I think they wouldn't be a problem with me (and they wouldn't) but it isn't so easy when they are yours.
I think that Tanya Byron was very sensible to stop exposing DCs on TV-I have a lot of respect for her.

[ouryve]

The superhero boy and his family were lovely, weren't they?

The superhero clock is pretty much what I would have suggested. My eldest child with ASD/ADHD has always had real difficulty transitioning between activities, but having an idea of when he'll be allowed to go back to using his computer, playing with his lego or whatever makes it much easier for him to accept turning it off or putting it away for a while so he can do something different.

I meet a lot of parents like some of the ones she deals with - they just don't seem to have the first clue about setting boundaries and in some cases, seem to think the only discipline that is any good is of the shouting/whacking sort. Others are just total wet blankets with their kids and then wonder why their kids just constantly run out into the road and don't come back when they're called. If your kid can't walk alongside you nicely, hold his hand, for goodness sake. If he wouldn't be seen dead holding hands, then the threat would probably be enough to keep him safe!

So yes, sadly there are a lot of parents in need of really basic advice, unfortunately.

[FreudianSlipper]

and have you heard her discuss emotional development, she seems to have no or very little understanding of this but she is referred to as a child behavioural expert

[FreudianSlipper]

i can not stand the women her attitude towards the parents is terrible, she often belittles them in front of their children what message does that give

i do not like her approach, but then i do not use time out, naughty step (ffs naught mat for little children), start charts for everything. i find her approach very victorian

and she is so fucking smug

[lisad123]

Dr Tanya Bryon who i have met and is very nice :), and she IS a doctor and trained to deal with kids with issues, where as Stupid nanny, hasnt a clue, and Im so her voice is very anoying

[nethunsreject]

Yabu.

The families featured are so far gone that pretty much any boundary setting would lead to a massive improvement in things. Plus they are edited/set up.

Behaviourist training has its place, but is not the be all and end all.

[girliefriend]

jeee I think for some of the kids seeing what they are like when they loose it would be a good thing - maybe put their behaviour in perspective!!!

[Orbinator]

So funny - I've literally just started watching the series on 4oD. Love it! Just seen the one about sleep deprivation and am totally at how a full 11hrs sleep can give kids an extra 2 yrs intelligence advantage whereas just 8hrs takes 2 yrs off! Amazing.

[jeee]

Dr Tanya Whatshername refused to do any more of this type of programme because she believed it was detrimental to the children. And I think she's got to be right. How can it be in a child's interest to have their bad behaviour shown on national television?

[girliefriend]

Love Jo Frost!!! YANBU!!!

I am always amazed when I watch her programmes at how much some parents put up with, I know its hard at times to discipline your kids but omg that little boy was out of control and all I could think was he will grow up to be a thug if this is not sorted out now.

I think Jo does look at reasons behind the behaviour and is an expert at sussing out what is really going on. She also knows what kids need to be happy and relaxed ie parents that are in control, routines and having some good quality time with their family.

My only criticism of last nights programme was the guilt I ended up feeling after the whole 'the average child only spends 49 mins with their parents in a day' on the days I work this is probably true

[StayingDavidTennantsGirl]

I had a lump in my throat at the bit about the little lad wanting/needing to be a superhero so he could fix his sister's brain - what a sweetheart.

[LineRunner]

I used to watch Supernanny with my two kids when they were younger, and I think it made them realise just how tough it was being a mum sometimes. I'm sure it made them more considerate towards me.

[girlywhirly]

I think a lot of the parents in these programmes think it is too much like hard work to start as you mean to go on with discipline, routines etc. It is easier to let the DC do as they like. Some even think they should be pally with their DC, and if they aren't, the DC will hate them or something.

IMO it is always worth putting the effort in, and sticking at it, because ultimately it will make their lives easier, and happier, more secure DC. They need their parents to be in charge and control of them for this to happen, and to be consistent in their approach. Maybe Jo Frost has to push some of these parents to make them understand just how dangerous lack of discipline can become, as with the first little boy, who knows what he would do to his mum when he reached teenage, without help.

[gotolder]

I didn't see the programme under discussion, but have caught some of the earlier series. I loove Jo because she and I share so many ideas about the raising of children although I did my childrearing 40 years ago when there was no such thing as a "naughty step" but I did the same thing without naming it.

We tried to bring up the children with few rules, but those we had were adhered to "come hell or high water". The most important rule was strict bed times with the only exceptions (for special occasions etc) being explained to the DC as exceptions. This didn't mean that it was always easy but at least DH and I were on the same page for all rules and DC always understood. Meals were always taken as a family sitting at the table and no one left the table before everyone was finished (this could be very frustrating for the adults as DCs could often take what felt like "hours", but we all learnt that that time could be usefully used in chatting.

I could write an essay but I think this gives a flavour and we all kept sane.

[BettySwollocksandaCrustyRack]

I love it - her programme makes my DS look like an absolute angel!

[HeyYouJimmy]

I thought Jo Frost was a nanny/childminder for a good lot of years before her series. I think she had been in childcare for around 15yrs or so.

[mandoo]

I think you could find a million nannies just like her across the country. Nannies always seems to have a better grip on child behaviour than mummy's do. I should know I nannied for years before I had my DS and my discipline was always more effective with my charges than it is with my own son. You children know you have unconditional love for them where as children who aren't yours always know there is a line that should not be crossed.

mummee, I am sure Jo Frost was a nanny before she became super nanny she was recruited from the same agency I was listed with. Your right about the qualifications though.

[RockinSockBunnies]

I think she's brilliant. She talks sense and gets results. Which is more than a lot of the parents on the show (for whatever reasons). She is able to see what the problems are from an impartial standpoint and provide practical solutions that work.

I see no problem with naughty steps, reward charts or any other useful suggestions that she makes.

[wrongdecade]

It was on last night?? and I missed it??

[LoveBeingAbleToNamechange]

Yella, seriously? Not to me.

[LoveBeingAbleToNamechange]

The superhero boy made me cry, "when I grow up I'm going to fix my sisters brain"

the clock worked as the hour slots where given to dress up and the rest was mild mannered reporter normal clothes.

[maypole1]

If you learn anything from being a foster carer is that just because you can give brith dose not mean you know anything about children.

[yellabelly]

Jo is unconconvincing for several reasons. Some of the child violence seemed staged