Supernanny (Supernanny)

Member Name: rji0907

Product:	Supernanny
Date:	24/06/09 (32 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Great TV

Disadvantages: Can be a bit samey

Supernanny is a fascinating programme first broadcast on Channel 4 in the UK during 2004. It features professional nanny Jo Frost visiting the homes of families with problem children and sees her transforming their behaviour with her 'techniques'. Supernanny became so popular that US tv also snapped her up for a few series over there.

When 'Jojo' first meets the families she looks immaculate. Posh 'power dressing' suit, hair tied back, glasses and you wonder by looking at her how she could possibly have good interaction with young children. How wrong can you be!

When she first gets to work the persona is completely different. Casual, fun and totally on their wavelength. She first 'observes' the family to see where they are going wrong for a day or so monitoring the childrens behaviour. Shen then shows the family a video to explain whats wrong and what needs improving then explains how she plans on implementing the changes.

Her general techniques are the same for most children. The problem families tend to lack discipline and have no daily rountine for their children to follow - a must in supernannys eyes! Some also lack attention if parents work a lot or if there are a lot of children in the family. Some of her techniques are quite obvious but I cant deny they work.

The only slight downside to this programme is that they can all be a bit 'samey'. Obviously its a different family each episode but it always follows the same format. Supernanny observes, changes the childrens behaviour, leaves the family, they descend into utter chaos again, then she comes back and helps them out again leaving the family totally satisfied in the end stating that Jo has 'changed their lives'.

I do find this programme really fascinating and I do believe that Jo has an amazing knowledge of childrens behaviour. What you see is what you get and for parents out there you can pick up some handy tips to use with your own children.

However I also cant believe that in each episode every family follows exactly the same pattern. Some parents must pick it up quicker than others and there must be the odd few that her methods dont work for but you never see these. It always takes her the complete episode to sort the kids out so I presume some clever editing takes place.

Well worth a watch though.

Summary: Watch it!!