“Supernanny,” the new ABC reality show, sends English nanny Jo Frost to the homes of families whose kids–and their parents–need behavior makeovers. What makes it fun to watch is (1) Being reassured that you’re not the only person with problem children and (2) Feeling superior to people whose children are more problematic than yours.
There may be parents who actually tune in to pick up parenting tips. For them Frost has written a spinoff book (Hyperion, $14.95) that tries to combine general child-care advice with the problem-solving approach she takes on the show. She would have done better to devote the whole book to troubleshooting; then perhaps her aim wouldn’t be so hit-or-miss.
Her sections on discipline and bedtime, for instance, are detailed and useful. And I like the way she applies her “Top Ten Rules,” such as Restraint and Consistency, to everything from eating to sleeping.
But Frost also can be ridiculously vague, as with the “Ages and Stages” chapters. Baby’s first six months get all of three pages of text. Why bother?
If you’re having trouble keeping the kids in line, “Supernanny” the book is worth a look. Otherwise, back to the show.
On showing who’s boss: “If you bargain, he will bargain.”
