Experts question 'Supernanny' and 'Nanny 911'

[Forever Xena]

Experts question 'Supernanny' and 'Nanny 911' child rearing methods


Pediatricians and child development experts are questioning the methods used in two nanny-based television reality shows.


"Nanny 911," is a Fox show that began last fall, while "Supernanny," made its debut in January on ABC. Both feature nannies that step in to restore discipline in families where children have run amok.

"I've been working with parents for 25 years, and the families on these shows definitely are not typical," said Nancy Samalin, a parent educator in Manhattan and the author of "Loving Without Spoiling and 100 Other Timeless Tips for Raising Terrific Kids."



"There are times when the nannies use the word 'bad,' and I don't like labeling kids," Samalin told the New York Times.

Dr. Deborah Borchers, a pediatrician in private practice in Cincinnati, said she was concerned about long-term effects on the children.

"As the children get older, they'll watch the videotape of the shows of them being portrayed as brats, and they'll be embarrassed," she said.

[Lesa]

"There are times when the nannies use the word 'bad,'

I've heard Jo say "naughty" but I don't think I've ever heard her call a kid or their behavior "bad."

"As the children get older, they'll watch the videotape of the shows of them being portrayed as brats, and they'll be embarrassed," she said.

Yes, I can see this being a (sad) possibility.

[Forever Xena]

Well they may also look at it and laugh and say what a horror I was :lol , they may not think it so horrible.

They may even say to their own kids , look how horrible I was etc, etc

[Lesa]

Yes, this is another possibility.

I just hope these kids have a sense of humor if/when they watch tapes of the shows a few years down the road.

The ones who should be embarrassed are some of the parents who allow or even praise the kids for their inappropriate behavior, like the kid who always went outside to relieve himself and would never use the toilet. His mother would even walk with him out to the street and let him tinkle there for all their neighbors to see, and when he peed in the garden she'd say isn't that neat how you water the flowers. Now SHE should be embarrassed. The kid didn't know any better. He was only 3 or 4 years old and his mom actually praised him for doing it.