Supper Nanny - do her theories work?

Rebecca - posted on 06/15/2010

I agree with Sheila. I don't agree with her views on spanking. I have just endured being vilified on another CoM community for suggesting spanking my child...but we won't go there! I'm so glad I found this Christian Moms community now! But I digress...she does have many helpful tools in her arsenal, but I think we can adapt them to better serve us (squeezing a little biblical lesson in there after behavior to teach them what God says about it, asking forgiveness of the parent and/or person they disrespected/hit/hurt/or whatever).

Gina - posted on 06/13/2010

Proverbs 29:15, "The rod and reproof give wisdom: but a child left to himself bringeth his mother to shame."

Darcel - posted on 05/27/2010

If you are consistant any positive routine and discipline will work.

Sheila - posted on 05/27/2010

Let me just say that I loved watching SuperNanny when I had tv service. That being said, I did have a problem with the show making any parent who spanks their children out to be a villian. Scripture teaches over and over the values of spanking, and I believe that there is a correct way to do it that does not break the child's spirit, but brings about the desired result. This is why God promotes it in His word.

I like what several of the ladies said about how it is a secular show, so it won't teach scriptural principles or about Christ. That is something that we all would do well to remember.

I have a very strong willed 3 year old, and the other day, I had to "correct" him for something. Right after the correction and love time was finished and I went back to what I was doing before I had to stop and deal with him, I heard him saying, "I love you so much, Mom!" I believe this is what Proverbs 31 is talking about when it says, "Her children will rise and call her blessed."

I think that you can't start too early with discipline. I discipline my 18 month old twins, and have for some time now. If they are old enough to display bad behavior, then they are old enough to get corrected for it. It may be a tap on the hand and a stern, "NO", but it is still teaching that their behavior is bad, and therefore receives a bad result.

Stina - posted on 05/27/2010

Yes! I love Super Nanny!

Recently however, I read "Drawing the Line" by Michael J. Weiss and Sheldon H. Wagner. They propose a different time out strategy that I have found very useful. Instead of one long time out (minute per year of age), they do several short time outs. The idea being to give the child several opportunities to learn the desired behavior. It is a great read with some good tools.

Super Nanny's methods are great though. And we used her bedtime method for our first two. Our baby is only 13 months and still in a crib so her time to learn to stay in bed hasn't come yet.

In the end, it all boils down to consistently enforcing the rules of your house.

Donna - posted on 05/26/2010

Being consistent is the key! I really think it will work for your 3 yr old, but the 1 and a half, in my opinion is still too young to get it. I teach K-3 and they are very capable of understanding. You would be amazed! But remember be CONSISTENT! Do not give in, stick with your rules. It may take a week or two, but go for it! Good Luck. I have 3 kids under the age of 10 myself and it was something we stuggled with too.

Alison - posted on 05/16/2010

I think the shows emphasis on bed time routine is really good. I also like the simple no-nonsense style of parenting that the show promotes. Some of the tips are useful, but it's good for the Christian family to adapt them because it's a secular show and there is no emphasis on the biblical role of parents at all.

Sheryl - posted on 05/16/2010

i can till you the bed time routine works! we do it with our boys! i am going to try to dis. withn my youngest but not sure if it well work!cause his got sensory processing disorder and i have done spankings they seem to work for the major things but i am going to give her idea's a chance! well just have to see how things go! every family is different i don't know if you notice she changes it some what to each family or child. i am sure you'll find what works for you guys!

Missy - posted on 05/15/2010

If you'll notice the biggest part of her dicipline stategies is that innappropriate behavior has a negative consequence, something a lot of these kids never experienced. If kids are very young the negative consequence can be taking away a toy they are not using properly or removing them from a situation to cool down. I think it's important you start from the very beginning when they are very young establishing yourself in charge and not letting them get their way with everything. It does not hurt them to learn limits-it helps them grow and growing is not always 'comfortable' but it's necessary. I don't mean beating your kid into submission, I mean I've seen parents who let their kids do whatever they want because they don't want to hurt their feelings or be the one to end some obvious fun they are having. These kids grow up to be the ones you see on Super-Nanny that have no respect for their parents, rules, or boundries because they've never been taught any. Our job is to be a parent and guide them to do what is right, not their friend. If you do that they will enjoy you more and feel more safe than if you're only a buddy. I also think it's very important to spend time playing with you children and showing interest in what they do, just not only playing and never showing them boundries.

Cindy - posted on 05/13/2010

I have watched many of the shows and in some ways I agree with her and in other ways I do not. The bedtime routine I think is great but you need to be consistent with it. As far as the discipline, it depends on the child. I have 4 kids and "timeouts" with 2 of them worked and the other 2-NOT so we had to do other things. And I see the same things in my grandchildren. I agree with Heather, that there is NO learning about Jesus in her methods and I did/do want my kids/grands to grow up knowing Christ's Love. My suggestion is to 1.) Remember that this is a TV show and shows us what they want us to see. Realise that we are seeing about 40 minutes of a week or more spent with the family so the negative is not shown. 2.) Not all of her actions are positive and turns the family around. There are "failures" in what she does. 3.) You are the parent and you know your child and how they react to the way you discipline so you need to do what works in your household. 4.) And Most Important of all----Your child(ren) are children of God so Pray, Pray, Pray and God will lead you in His Ways and He will help you and give you the wisdom you need in raising your kid(s).

Susan - posted on 05/13/2010

I agree with the whole supper nanny show but I watch a 18 month old (my daughter is only 10m) and I use the timeout for every year of age i.e. she sits by herself for one minute if she misbehaves and it works very well i then give her kisses and hugs.

Heather - posted on 05/13/2010

I have only seen one of her shows quite some time ago, and it is not for me. My biggest problem is that there is no Scripture in it. I really want my children to know Jesus!!! If they are well mannered, but don't know Christ, they still end up in hell...

Courtney - posted on 05/13/2010

I have followed her bedtime routine since my little one was sleeping through the night. My son is now 11 months old and every time I put him to bed he just goes right down. For bedtime, we have our night time bottle and read a story, the only thing is that he has to have music to fall asleep. so we bought a lullaby CD, one that only plays the music no words, and by the third song he is out.
As for discipline, I havent really tried her method just yet since it is geared towards the older child but
i have used the getting down to the childs level and using the stern tone the tell them no. It hasn't helped yet but it is a good practice to get into! Hope this helps!

Josslyn - posted on 05/13/2010

Just remember her theories are coupled with a complete lifestyle change aswell, like and obese person who has never done exercise and eats junk food all day to controlled diets and an active gym life, It changes all the persons involved and is strenuous in the sense that you will not be the same person in the end, but does have a positive outcome.

This is my view on the subject. If you have the perseverance to go for it then be blessed while doing it, just know you will find complete different characters in the people you love during this journey, as well as a change in yourself.