Prime Time again decided to show the worst side of parenting. Parents using soap or hitting their children as a discipline technique is unimaginable by most of us parents. This is a form of child abuse using punishment rather than discipline to problem solve.
Way to Go Jo for forcefully telling these parents that soap/hitting is not an appropriate discipline technique. But, where you missed the boat is understanding that this was the perfect opportunity to give these and all parents community resources for parent education. (LCSW, family resource centers, hospitals &/or faith based counselors)
The Supper Nanny’s education on the dangers of video games (it is parents responsibility & learning rating system) and encouraging time and attention from Dad was great!
But, again the missed opportunity was the Supper Nanny not teaching Dad emotional education with his 7 year old, instead of her just being the conduit to tell Dad how the 7 year old was feeling.
It could have been as easy as Jo telling Dad to help your child to label his feeling, which was sadness and then help DAD teach his child how to express that feeling and then how the child gets rid of the feeling, so he can move on.
Please let me clarify something, most 7 years olds are called liars by their parents.
It is definitely a developmental thing as they are practicing ‘story-telling’. So parents can easily help their kids by just telling them the difference between pretend and real. Not telling them to stop lying, but teach them to continue to tell stories but expecting them to say whether that was a ‘real’ story or pretend.
Just another weekly reminder, that kids are not naughty.
When you need to discipline or teach them, don’t tell them during the heat of the moment to go and sit on the “naughty step/mat”. Instead, turn them around facing away from you, don’t ask them to look at you, stop talking and direct them away from the situation. If you want to put them in their room that is fine, but remember to tell them before hand what they can do in their room while they have to be ‘away’ from you, like listening to music.
Word to the wise Prime Time
Take advantage of the teachable moments you create!
Here’s hoping for no more Super Nanny missed opportunities.
Dr. Ann Corwin