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See all MNHQ comments on this thread

MNHQ

Put your questions to Supernanny, Jo Frost, here

203 replies

JustineMumsnet · 06/01/2010 22:32

Jo Frost has been being Supernanny in the US for the last five years but she's shortly due back on our screens with a new show on Channel 4 - the Jo Frost Roadshow - a six part series sees Jo talking to Britain?s parents to find out which issues are really worrying them and which conundrums are driving them mad.

Ahead of the new series the Radio Times thought they'd like to field some real-life parental dillemas to Jo, to make sure she hasn't lost her touch and who better to come up with them than Mumsnetters? So if you'd like her take on any aspect of child-rearing or to hear her suggestions for solving any difficulties you are having with your child's behaviour (and please be as specific as possible) then fire away. We can't promise every question will get answered but we'll try for as many as we can.

Thanks
MNHQ

OP posts:
PuzzleRocks · 07/01/2010 09:50

Ooh yes TAFKA, that's been bugging me.

lucykate · 07/01/2010 09:51

dear jo,

i know you may not be able to answer this in a blanket fashion, but on the whole, which parents were the easiest to work with?, the brits or the americans?, am intrigued to know how well people were able to take criticism of their parenting.

VinegarTits · 07/01/2010 09:58

God i can't believe how childish and pathetic some of you are

So you might not agree with the methods she uses, but theres no need to get personal about her clothes, speech and appearance

I think the jokers who have tried to be funny on this thread have just embarrassed themselves

VinegarTits · 07/01/2010 10:00

Oh and the snipes about her not having children herself are pathetic too

memoo · 07/01/2010 10:09

Erm excuse me vinegartits, it was a genuine question!! I know myself as a TA that is a lot easier to deal with another persons tantruming child because you aren't as emtionally involved. When it comes to my own kids though its a lot harder because when your own child is crying your stomach churns!!

StayingDavidTennantsGirl · 07/01/2010 10:15

I couldn't agree more, VT. I saw this thread yesterday, and was tempted to post a question, but was totally put off by the unpleasantness, and felt worried that by posting a question I'd be seen as a creep and would get something nasty said to me too.

But I have a bit of backbone now so here goes:

Do you have any suggestions/techniques for dealing with stroppy older children? Ds3 (12) loses his temper at the drop of a hat, thinks he should get everything he wants (despite the fact that we say NO and mean it to him as much as to the other two), and can become incandescent with rage if told off? He's stolen money from us, and plays with fire - the latter we have just dealt with by grounding him, banning him from the xbox and making him research and write an essay on the dangers of fire.

VinegarTits · 07/01/2010 10:19

i apologise memoo if yours was a genuine question, i just cant believe the rudeness on this thread

Ronaldinhio · 07/01/2010 10:20

but it is odd to me...the clothing thing

obviously she is styled in some fashion by the TV production company but is constantly resticted by too tight clothing...why??
I'm sure she doesn't dress like that at home/on weekends etc

is it a subliminal good parenting = buttoned up or restrictive message aimed at pj wearing slatterns like me?

SilverBoots · 07/01/2010 10:21

Jo,

Do you ever get it wrong?

SilverBoots

memoo · 07/01/2010 10:23

Despite the fact that i seem to be public enemy number 1 on here couldn't ignore your post SDTG, My cousin had problems with her teenage son playing with fire.

In the end she contaced the local fire brigade who were more than happy to speak to him and show him some pictures of the hoffic damage fire can cause. He never did it again after his visit to the fire station

memoo · 07/01/2010 10:25

Ah no problem VT, I guess its hard to judge the tone of a post sometimes

Ronaldinhio · 07/01/2010 10:27

hey memoo t'was more directed at ejjits like me and anyone mentioning asseptable

we had the same sort of thing for stealing...my brother was shown around the police station for taking another boy's toys...hasn't repeated after seeing a cell

Bicnod · 07/01/2010 10:33

Ok, I have a question for Jo, or anyone else for that matter [desperate emoticon]

How can I get my 8 month old to sleep better at night without using controlled crying/cry it out or any form of crying?

He no longer feeds during the night and goes down for naps awake during the day and he's usually awake when first put to bed.

Very occasionally he will sleep through so I know he can do it, but more often than not he wakes 2,3,4 or even 5 times in the night and needs rocking back to sleep.

DH and I need matchsticks to prop open our eyes most days so any help in getting him to sleep better (or even right through) would be greatly appreciated.

Ta

StayingDavidTennantsGirl · 07/01/2010 10:37

Thankyou memoo - and apologies if I upset you - I did read your question as genuine, and should have made what I was saying more clear.

I have wondered about ringing the fire brigade to put the fear of god into ds3, and it is good to know that they are willing to do this, and that it works.

bibbitybobbitysantahat · 07/01/2010 10:44

Jo - I have no issues with my 6 year old ds's behaviour, he is a really lovely boy, great company, can concentrate and play well and amuse himself and gets on with his older sister brilliantly. However, he is very quick to tears. He cries over the littlest thing. His teacher has mentioned it to me; she has had to ask him once or twice to stop talking and he has cried over it. I fear the other kids in class will start to tease him (atm he is quite popular). He gets very upset if another child or baby is crying. I suppose he is sensitive but I do wonder if crying has just become his default position now and if there is anything I can do to encourage him not to be such a softie?

coldtits · 07/01/2010 10:50

Jo Frost, please ignore the twattiness and have a nice time here on MN

My question is this - how do you keep your expectations high for a younger sibling of a child with ADHD and Autism?

My boys are 3 and 6 and the 3 year old is becoming very difficult. He won't listen, but sometimes his brother can't listen. How can I sanction Ds2 for ignoring me when it sems to him that his brother is doing the same?

Eddas · 07/01/2010 11:02

I need help getting ds (aged 2.6) to eat. He's a nightmare, just won't try anything. He's been like it since I can remember. He currently has a very limited food range.

How do I get him to EAT?!

hubbabubbababba · 07/01/2010 11:09

Is there in your opinion a gentler approach at helping my 7 month old dd sleep better apart from the cry it out approach? I have persisted in putting her down at the same time every night, when she cries picked her up and settled her then put her back down which could take anything from 20 mins to 3 hours. This continued for about 3 weeks until I gave up! She wakes up now anything between 3 and 8 times a night.
She is breastfed so I think she wants to use the breast as a tool for going back to sleep but she will not accept being rocked otherwise she wakes up properly and will then be awake for anything from an hour to 6. This means that as soon as she rouses now i shove the nipple in her mouth to get her to go back off, I know this is half the problem but i dont know what the alternative is....any advice?
I hope that makes sense....im very tired.

VinegarTits · 07/01/2010 11:09

i have a fussy eater (ds age 3) here too, so would welcome some advise and tips for getting him to try new things

have tried getting him to help prepare his meals and also let him choose a new plate and cutlery when out shopping, but still no joy

StewieGriffinsMom · 07/01/2010 11:10

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StewieGriffinsMom · 07/01/2010 11:16

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TrinityIsFuckingTrying · 07/01/2010 11:21

Hi Jo

How can I stop my 9 year old from 'hating' my four year old

I know all about sibling rivalry but its getting beyond it now.

thanks

WilfSell · 07/01/2010 11:29

I would like someone to answer my question (about UP/HTT vs firm boundaries) esp in relation to my and Trinity's issues of sibling rivalry.... Jo or anyone. All the folks who think 'just talking to and explaining why they should feel sorry' will work with my kids are invited to spend the week with us, free food, to sort us them out.

I am sure we're crap parents, but we're doing our best.

EccentricaGallumbits · 07/01/2010 11:30

OK a real question for Jo.

DD2 is 11. this is a list of things i'd like to fix

  1. eating - she only eats bread and chicken
  1. school - she hates it and frequently refuses to go. no obvious reason, she just hates it.
  1. she swears and shouts and is generally verbally abusive.
  1. she breaks things.
  1. she is grumpy and negative about everything, all the time.
  1. she refuses to do homework of any sort
  1. she won't try new things
  1. she is so phobic about various things it rules her life
  1. i defy you to fix her.

TIA

EccentricaGallumbits · 07/01/2010 11:31

and DD1 who is 13 is none of the above so i don't think it is due to crap parenting although i have nothing else to blame.