what would supernanny do?

Dealing with a Baby Bunch is never an easy task--at ANY stage. As a result of two closely spaced kids, I feel I often come in last in the great mom race. I usually cave more than I should, or feel I would, if I wasn't always dealing with two of the same thing at the same time. I am often lazy about following through on threats or discipline because I have been worn down by "the twiblings" relentless efforts to wear me down.

In the past few months, I have started finding peace with Supernanny. (In the superficial TV way.) Not the kind of peace like--oh, at least I'm not the world's worst mom (although I will admit I feel that way too)--but the kind of peace that provides me with some concrete parenting solutions/suggestions for some of our biggest issues. Ok, how lame am I that I actually enjoy watching this show?

Even the most seemingly simplistic suggestion like getting down to the kids' level to talk often doesn't pop into my head until after an incident is over and my blood pressure is already over what it should be.

Sometimes when I'm in the middle of a compromising situation, I often think....What Would Supernanny Do?

Case in point...one of biggest issue right now is potty language. It's all the time--in the car, at home, with friends, out and about, at school. It's out of control and I'm not even sure where it came from. I lose count of the number of times I hear the words poop, bottom, underwear, etc. It's to the point where I know they say it just to piss me off.

I finally decided to follow through by actually making this a household rule: No Potty Language. This meant I had to come up with a list of other house rules and post them. Do you know what? It has worked. I can't say the language is gone completely, but now I hear it less frequently, and now they are fully aware of the consequences.

Ohhh...and consequences. I get lazy on those too when it comes to timeouts or losing privileges. But I often stop and think, "What Would Supernanny Do?" Always follow through, I think.

I am fully aware this TV show is a snapshot of American parenting at its worst. My fellow Baby Bunching friend Denise explained to me this afternoon her friends in Norway laughed at how Americans cannot seem to keep their kids under control. Perhaps that is the case since I don't see too many foreign families on this show, but it still makes me think sometimes there may be better ways to get better behavior from my kids, even if it makes bending down to talk to them or taking a break from my chores to find out the root of the problem.

So as I listen to my kids bickering about whose turn it is on the computer next,I think  . . . what would Supernanny do? Then I think, get off the computer, Linda!

Comments

[maria wilson]

If it is any consolation, the kids on the original British supernanny are way worse! Or maybe the British networks just allow them to show cursing three year olds!

I too am a big supernanny fan, I think she is great.

[Liz Miller]

I think Supernany rocks!!!!! i hope she is still around when i get to having my BUNCH!!!