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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

to be annoyed with supernanny ?

40 replies

elfsmum · 11/09/2007 16:54

watched a bit of this the other night, and it was a family who still had baby things for their toddlers and 5 year olds (twins)

The 5 year olds were wearing nappies at night, she had a conversation with them about getting rid of them - fine.

Takes them off them, they go to bed and they show them getting up the next morning and going to a treasure chest for a prize.

now admittedly they didn't say how many wet nights V's dry nights the children had, or if they were a support for the parents.

but I'm annoyed watching this when my 5.6 year old still wears dry nights, I've tried rewards for dry nights, cutting out drinks after a certain time, letting him wet the bed and changing sheets night after night - discussed my concerns with HV - discussed this on the development board.

had finally got to a point where we don't make a big issue out of it, we praise dry nights, and then supernanny comes along and hey presto one set of fairy wings and I've forgotten the boys prize and she can do away with dry nights - without a single problem.

I know it's TV and it wouldn't make good viewing if it showed mum and dad bleary eyed changing beds, children etc at 3.30am in the morning ...

OP posts:

MrsMarvel · 12/09/2007 00:41

I think Mum wasn't as much the victim as she seemed to be. She was clinging onto their babyhood as long as she could. And she was definitely trying to sabotage the seaside trip by having a sudden appointment at the hairdressers!

ScruffyTeddy · 12/09/2007 00:49

It was the bigger picture in the program, the parents seemed to be keeping the children babies because they wanted to, not because the children needed, or demanded it.

The little girl admitted she didn't want to wear nappies at night. Pretty sure the twins didn't want to sit in highchairs and be force fed pureed food while their parents held their heads in a vice like grip either!

It was a combination of things, it didn't seem that bed wetting was a problem for those particular children, it seemed more that the parents didn't want to try anything that would be a bit difficult at first. I think that was the point, the parents weren't even trying. It seemed all about convenience for them.

Sianni · 12/09/2007 15:04

These programmes are shown as though every problem has a magic solution, no matter how bad it is. I think these are more for entertainment than for any genuine childrearing advice.

Lorayn · 12/09/2007 15:18

How is supernanny so bad when she manages to get these children doing what they should be doing?? I think its good that she concentrates on the parents behaviour to change the children, I too watched that show and was disgusted with the way the children were being treated, it wasnt because the children were not dry by night that they were wearing nappies it was because the mum was finding it too hard to let go of their baby-ness. The children were shown to be quite upset about having to wear nappies. Children are often happier when they know their boundaries, and most of the parents on these programmes have made a rod for their own back because of (not always but often) laziness, many a time I have seen these types of programmes where the parents just give up because it is 'too hard' I think continuously and consistently taking a child upto bed/closing the door on them/ignoring them etc, can be extremely beneficial when for example, it comes to getting them to sleep. Sleep and a stable diet are important, and that was something they weren't getting properly.

dejags · 12/09/2007 15:22

Well I quite like Supernanny.

She's consistent, firm yet kind and interested in her charges on many levels.

Having said all that - she's a TV Nanny, there is only so much she can do on the creativity/personal touch front.

3andnomore · 12/09/2007 15:28

elfsmum....I hear you....

my almost 5 year old is still in nightnappies, as he has constipation issues, and when we tried to get him out of nappies fully...well, things got worse again...and it's just not worth it...even though, he actually didn't wet the bed at night or anything...

bozza · 12/09/2007 15:28

TBH in that episode I think the Mum had psychological problems. The older twins were at school and she was saying that she must let them grow up and stop treating them like babies when they are toddlers. And I said to DH that these were school children, it was the younger children that were toddlers.

3andnomore · 12/09/2007 15:30

oh, and the only reason I actually ever watch these sort of types of programmes its, because they make me feel better about my own deficiencies as a parent, lol...I always come away thinking...well...at least I am not doing that, and yeah, my Kids aren't that bad...

DulwichDolly · 12/09/2007 16:14

Lorayn, how can you see what's happening in the house once the cameras are swithched off, no crew arround, and no supernanny....

i've worked in a similar programme... and trust me.... don't believe everything u see in telly!

TV programmes need a begginning middle and end.... normally a happy end... especially if an "expert" is involved!

don't like the tone of then new series at all...

3andnomore · 12/09/2007 16:18

Dolly, indeed....

Lorayn · 12/09/2007 16:26

True dolly, we cant, but when I saw the beginning of the programme I was distraught at the violence between the siblings, any child having to live in such an environment cannot be happy and if through the programme the mother managed to take some control then surely it is for the best, and as for pureeing a 3 year olds food!!! I also understand that the programme makers are going to choose the worst case scenarios, its not as interesting if the kids are generally well behaved, but if some parents watching are able to take tips and improve their parenting skills isnt that enough??

DulwichDolly · 12/09/2007 16:43

Keep watching... it will only get better every week!

Lorayn · 13/09/2007 12:17

I have to say I watched Supernanny again last night, and was appalled at the lack of discipline in the family, the ten year old son was physically hitting his mother and the dad just stood and watched I still think that it must do some good!!!

3andnomore · 13/09/2007 12:28

Hm..then again....wouldn't it be great if parents would get this kind of help without having to turn to trashy TV?

Lorayn · 13/09/2007 12:46

Definitely! But to be fair, I think most of the parents I know either watch it and say 'thank god my kids aren't like that' (and they really aren't) or don't see what is so wrong with the family in the first place and aren't likely to try the techniques, which is quite sad.

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