Post by Forever Xena on Sept 30, 2005 23:56:06 GMT -6
Kids driving you nuts? Never fear — Supernanny is here
By RODNEY HO
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Published on: 09/23/2005
When Fairburn resident Cathy Webb met Jo Frost, known to the public as "Supernanny," she expected her to be a standoffish, stern woman who played to the camera.
"She was not anything I imagined her to be," said Webb, whose family will be featured tonight in the second hour of ABC's season premiere of "Supernanny." "She's very warm, on and off camera. She really took a personal interest in my story. She loves kids and wants to help."
BOB MAHONEY/ABC
(ENLARGE)
'She loves kids and wants to help,' Cathy Webb of Fairburn says of Supernanny Jo Frost (above). Her visit to the Webbs' home (airing tonight) helped lay down the rules for Paige (above) and siblings.
BOB MAHONEY/ABC
(ENLARGE)
Tonight's 'Supernanny' premiere addresses problems in the Webb family: Arthur (from left), Josef, Paige, Cathy, Madison.
ON TV
"Supernanny" 8 p.m. on ABC. Two-hour premiere with two metro Atlanta families.
That is the magic of Frost, a 35-year-old professional nanny with a calming British lilt, a special way with children and a knack for pithy commentary. The show — like "Survivor" and "American Idol" a hit import from the UK — drew up to 10 million viewers a week last season on Monday nights.
"I knew it would hit a raw nerve," Frost said from a Dallas hotel, where she was relaxing after spending two weeks in metro Atlanta. "People want information. It's even attracted people who don't have children. I had a man on the street shake my hand. He said, 'My girlfriend and I watch the show. We feel really happy with what we see. We're taking notes for when we have children that slovenly.' "
The show's formula is straightforward: A family's kids wreak havoc. Frost observes the parents and children in action, then offers techniques to fix their problems. The parents give them a try, then she comes back for a final round of reinforcement training. The typical result? A happy ending.
Webb, 42, who works for a financial services company and has three kids (ages 2, 5 and 7), said she hadn't built any structure into the family's days and was using the TV as a baby sitter. Her kids wouldn't go to sleep until 11:30 p.m. She felt stymied because her husband, a management consultant, is gone five days a week and because physical problems keep her from driving.
Frost told her straight out: "Stop playing the victim." Frost gave the family a firm schedule and coached Webb on how to create structure.
"I was very passive before she came," said Webb. "But even the camera guys said I went through a remarkable change. I'm much more vocal now. I stand up for myself."
Frost, who travels the country fixing family problems, gave Webb her personal number for emergencies.
"I haven't needed it yet," Webb said.
With more than 15 years of nanny experience, Frost said she's learned to preach consistency and routine to parents. Most kids value and respect both, she says.
"Sometimes families have a difficult time digesting what I'm saying," she said. "Sometimes they take it on the chin. It often takes someone from the outside to say, 'Stop! You can't run from this anymore.' "
The Minyon family of Douglasville, whose story airs at 8, also needed control. Their 4-year-old daughter, Skyler, refused to get up in the morning or do anything she didn't want to do. She screamed, kicked and punched to get her way. Mom Danielle, 26, had to quit her job when day care refused to deal with Skyler's tantrums.
"My boss suggested I contact the show, and — lo and behold — I got called," Danielle said.
On the show, taped last month, Skyler was placed in the infamous "naughty chair," a British-ism for "time out." But Skyler refused to stay there. So Frost encouraged Danielle to keep putting her back on the chair — literally dozens of times. The battle, according to the show, lasted 90 minutes before Skyler reluctantly said "sorry." For Danielle, it felt like three hours. But it was a victory that helped turn things around. Skyler's behavior has improved.
"I feel a lot better emotionally," Danielle said.
But that doesn't mean Skyler's stubborn streak is magically gone, her mom said. It's just that the incentives have changed: "She'd rather behave than apologize."
Ironically, Frost has no children and no mate. "I'm not feeling, 'Oh my God. I'm 35! I need to have children now.' I don't have that Bridget Jones gotta-rush-to-the-altar feeling. We'll see."
Instead, Frost is happy to be recognized as Supernanny on the street. "It's hilarious," she said. "I'm just grateful I don't have to wear a cape."
By RODNEY HO
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Published on: 09/23/2005
When Fairburn resident Cathy Webb met Jo Frost, known to the public as "Supernanny," she expected her to be a standoffish, stern woman who played to the camera.
"She was not anything I imagined her to be," said Webb, whose family will be featured tonight in the second hour of ABC's season premiere of "Supernanny." "She's very warm, on and off camera. She really took a personal interest in my story. She loves kids and wants to help."
BOB MAHONEY/ABC
(ENLARGE)
'She loves kids and wants to help,' Cathy Webb of Fairburn says of Supernanny Jo Frost (above). Her visit to the Webbs' home (airing tonight) helped lay down the rules for Paige (above) and siblings.
BOB MAHONEY/ABC
(ENLARGE)
Tonight's 'Supernanny' premiere addresses problems in the Webb family: Arthur (from left), Josef, Paige, Cathy, Madison.
ON TV
"Supernanny" 8 p.m. on ABC. Two-hour premiere with two metro Atlanta families.
That is the magic of Frost, a 35-year-old professional nanny with a calming British lilt, a special way with children and a knack for pithy commentary. The show — like "Survivor" and "American Idol" a hit import from the UK — drew up to 10 million viewers a week last season on Monday nights.
"I knew it would hit a raw nerve," Frost said from a Dallas hotel, where she was relaxing after spending two weeks in metro Atlanta. "People want information. It's even attracted people who don't have children. I had a man on the street shake my hand. He said, 'My girlfriend and I watch the show. We feel really happy with what we see. We're taking notes for when we have children that slovenly.' "
The show's formula is straightforward: A family's kids wreak havoc. Frost observes the parents and children in action, then offers techniques to fix their problems. The parents give them a try, then she comes back for a final round of reinforcement training. The typical result? A happy ending.
Webb, 42, who works for a financial services company and has three kids (ages 2, 5 and 7), said she hadn't built any structure into the family's days and was using the TV as a baby sitter. Her kids wouldn't go to sleep until 11:30 p.m. She felt stymied because her husband, a management consultant, is gone five days a week and because physical problems keep her from driving.
Frost told her straight out: "Stop playing the victim." Frost gave the family a firm schedule and coached Webb on how to create structure.
"I was very passive before she came," said Webb. "But even the camera guys said I went through a remarkable change. I'm much more vocal now. I stand up for myself."
Frost, who travels the country fixing family problems, gave Webb her personal number for emergencies.
"I haven't needed it yet," Webb said.
With more than 15 years of nanny experience, Frost said she's learned to preach consistency and routine to parents. Most kids value and respect both, she says.
"Sometimes families have a difficult time digesting what I'm saying," she said. "Sometimes they take it on the chin. It often takes someone from the outside to say, 'Stop! You can't run from this anymore.' "
The Minyon family of Douglasville, whose story airs at 8, also needed control. Their 4-year-old daughter, Skyler, refused to get up in the morning or do anything she didn't want to do. She screamed, kicked and punched to get her way. Mom Danielle, 26, had to quit her job when day care refused to deal with Skyler's tantrums.
"My boss suggested I contact the show, and — lo and behold — I got called," Danielle said.
On the show, taped last month, Skyler was placed in the infamous "naughty chair," a British-ism for "time out." But Skyler refused to stay there. So Frost encouraged Danielle to keep putting her back on the chair — literally dozens of times. The battle, according to the show, lasted 90 minutes before Skyler reluctantly said "sorry." For Danielle, it felt like three hours. But it was a victory that helped turn things around. Skyler's behavior has improved.
"I feel a lot better emotionally," Danielle said.
But that doesn't mean Skyler's stubborn streak is magically gone, her mom said. It's just that the incentives have changed: "She'd rather behave than apologize."
Ironically, Frost has no children and no mate. "I'm not feeling, 'Oh my God. I'm 35! I need to have children now.' I don't have that Bridget Jones gotta-rush-to-the-altar feeling. We'll see."
Instead, Frost is happy to be recognized as Supernanny on the street. "It's hilarious," she said. "I'm just grateful I don't have to wear a cape."