Does anyone think it's strange that child experts such as supernanny never have children of their own?

Question

I don't know about the other nanny's, but I think Supernanny, Jo Frost does not have any children, and she's really good at what she does. Or do maybe the kids just behave until the end of the show. lol

Answer 1

What I'd really like to see is Supernanny tackle some rowdy teenagers.
But really - I worked as a preschool teacher for years before having my son, and, not to sound immodest, but I was really good at it. Daily, I handled tantrums, whining, violence, and the normal array of activities that generally occurs in a room filled with three year olds. (P.S. - That makes it sounds much worse - the kids were also constantly making me laugh and smile, and I loved being there) But, I found it much easier to discipline my students than I do with my own son. I could easily ignore a tantrum or whining from a student. But with my son, he flashes those dimples or sticks that lip out and makes SUCH A SAD FACE that I am like putty. And I know I'm not supposed to give in, but sometimes I just can't help myself.

So, I think it's much easier to have an unbiased perspective on other kid's when you are not their parent. And to come in as an observer, not someone who's been there daily since the beginning. Fresh eyes and all that. But that's just my two cents.

Answer 2

It just depends on who the parent or child expert is. Supernanny has more experience with different kinds of kids with various attitudes and problems. Most parents have children with mostly the same genetics and environments so they deal with mostly the same kind of issues. In addition, child experts usually study for hours about child development, and psychology and therefore they are more informed on why children act the way they do. A 15 year old mom who has never cracked open a book about children or worked at a child care center may not know half as much as someone who volunteers weekly at the local book reading.

Answer 3

There's no way I would take advise on how to raise my kids from someone who never had to experience any of the things they're talking about. You wouldn't take advise from a teenager who didn't have kids would you? So why take advise from an adult with no child rearing experience.

I especially don't like that she applies the same disciplining techniques to all children as if they were all the same. I know that when I was growing up with my brother and sister that we all had to be disciplined differently. My sister, you could just look at her and she would start to cry, and rarely needed to be spanked. My brother and I on the other hand received quite a few spankings (all of which we deserved).

I'm not saying that she's wrong necessarily, but that I wouldn't take her (or anyone else's who hadn't had children) advise.

Answer 4

lol, I love that show. More for the entertainment value. My daughter's love it too. They like to watch the children acting (as they call it) like little monkeys. I mostly like Jo Frost, I respect where she comes from, she's a Nanny, they have dedicated their life's to caring for other peoples children. Her being a Nanny, means she must find ways of enforcing consequences w/out spanking. I think her methods work well for minor stuff, we too have a knotty chair. However you will never see my children get off the knotty chair, why? Because if they do, they will be put back there with a tush glowing in the dark!!! It only takes once. I've seen some shows where it takes them 1 hour or 2 to get the kids to stay in the chair. NO WAY, not in my home. I can do in 5 min. what takes them 2 hours.

Answer 5

I do think it's weird, but the reason is that if they had kids of their own to take care of they couldn't continue their career of taking care of other people's kids because they'd be taking care of their own. Supernanny makes a buttload of money and I don't guess she's ready to resign for motherhood. Or maybe she's seen the bad side of so many kids she doesn't want to take the chance.

Answer 6

I think experts who don't have their own children are sometimes better than those who do. It seems as though those with children only know their own experience, and want everyone to do what they've done. A childless expert is much more objective since they're not trying to push their ways on you.
PS-I use to work as a parent educator before I had children. I don't think I could do the job as well now that I have my own. Like it or not, parenting makes you judgmental on some level and it's definitely hard not to push your views onto others.

Answer 7

I NO but im shore she has failed several times and just not shown the episodes they would be funny to be honest i like to see the shows 4 sometips and to see how vial parents n children can be some times but i like dr tanya byron the house of tiny terras or summit n she has 2 kids and you see some kids that dont changeon there.

Answer 8

I know what you mean. I was actually thinking about this just last night. I think the kids probably just behave until the end of the show just so they can get that mean person who doesnt let them do what they want out of their house! : )

Answer 9

I use to work at this place where CPS would refer these parents to come in for parenting classes and none of the instructors had any kids. I guess they were too busy going to school than making babies. Whatever works.

Answer 10

Yes, Jo is good, but remember, it is just a T.V. program to entertain us. I'd have to see it in real life of one of my own family members to believe it works. She does have some good ideas though.