My friend's kids are out of control. Should I nominate my friends for Supernanny?

Question

My friend's children are out of control. I have a feeling that my friend knows how undisciplined her children are. She was adopted at a fairly young age to a horrible woman that did not treat her like she did her biological children. My friend was practically this woman's slave. She was over strict and my friend has insinuated that there may have been physical abuse, although she choses not to mention her childhood much. During one conversation we had when I tactfully asked if we should bring the kids to play outside so they don't disrupt the woman that lives below me, she said she is afraid to discipline her kids. She is afraid that she will go too far. I hinted that maybe she should talk to someone about that so that they can help her overcome it, but I don't think she will. I have understanding about her fears, but I fear that her children are suffering in the long run. I want to sign her up for supernanny, but I'm afraid she'll be mad at me if she is chosen.

Answer 1

She needs psychiatric help, not a fat British lady coming in to take over her home. Don't sign her up, that's none of your business, but encourage her to get some help (mental health issues are horrible).

Answer 2

She needs to see a therapist, not Supernanny.  Furthermore, if someone nominated me for that show without my permission, I would be furious and horribly offended.

Answer 3

If someone nominated me for supernanny without y permission i would be furious. I understand you have noble intentions. But it will be lost in the translation. Imagine someone thinking your children act horribly and you need help. That they feel you are a bad parent. That someone feels you cant handle your children. Thse feelings would hurt and anger most people. And that is exactly what is going to go through her mind if she hears. Offer her help and encourage her to talk to others. Thats being a true friend and a big help. But dont nominaye someone for a tv show that airs all of your personal buisness and issues.

Answer 4

Why don't you talk to her about it first? Tell her that you think it is a major struggle for her not being able to control her children. Tell her that maybe she should go on the show supernanny. If she doesn't want to, how about you help her.

Here is a really good idea for kids discipline, younger or  even a little older. Take all the kids into the room with a giant poster board. Together, come up with the rules and write them on the poster. If there are children in her house that  can't read yet, print a picture of the rule on the computer. For example, for "No hitting." have a picture of a child hitting someone.

Each time someone doesn't something bad,  bring them over to the poster. Explain what they did and point to the rule that they broke. Say something like, "We are not allowed to ___. This is your warning. Next time you do that you will be on the naughty rug/mat/chair."

If they do it again bring them to the naughty chair. Have them sit for 3 minutes. If they get up from the chair, bring them back. Say nothing and re-start the clock.

This is similar to SuperNanny, but it also teaches something in my opinion and makes them feel involved more.

If it happened again

Answer 5

If she doesn't want to do it, i don't think she would be happy with you nominating her without telling her. But then if she admits that her kids are out of control and she doesn't know what to do and she is afraid to use any discipline, maybe she would secretly be grateful. Or maybe you can find some family counseling that you can recommend to her, since the chances of actually being on Supernanny are slim.

Answer 6

She needs to get help from her doc,not super nanny

Dont knock super nanny she might be from the uk but she is related to me