I went to abc.c*m and decided to watch yesterday's episode of SuperNanny. I figured it was an "easy watch" and if I fell asleep I would not miss the plot!
Of course sleep was not possible because I was too busy shaking my head in utter disbelief!
All I can say after watching the show is, "Are you kidding me?"
Two arbitrary SuperNanny facts, not related to this specific show, that amuse me are 1.) They have a very classic 'British looking' car that drives Jo to her 'jobs', but it is left hand drive!! Either make it a right hand drive car or use an American car. Be Authentic!! and 2.) Jo comes to America to help us out with our unruly children~~~ I lived in the UK for three years, there are PLENTY of homes that could use her help there!!
Anyhoo...
Onto the most recent episode:
A husband and wife with twin 4 year old boys and a 2 year old daughter.
The boys hit, kicked, cussed at, 'flipped the bird' at the parents. They ran out of the house constantly. They went into other neighbors' yards/garages/houses. They hit the neighbor, threw sand in her face, yelled at her when she asked them to leave...
Seriously! These parents needed someone to come in and tell them their children are out of control?
OH.MY.GOODNESS.
And the parents were "Yeah, they are hyper." We don't know what to do."--in an Eeyore type of voice.
First of all, you shouldn't have waited until they were 4 to decide to try to teach them manners, respect of others, and personal boundaries!!!
Secondly, what are your children being exposed to that they know cuss words and 'finger gestures' at the age of FOUR!
and on and on...
So in order for this post to be more than me rambling on about my utter astonishment about what I just saw on SuperNanny....
Please don't take me the wrong way. I am in no way trying to say I am a perfect parent. I struggle, as do all parents. Parenting is a difficult job that tries your patience on a daily basis, but it is a job with blessings that are abundant and priceless. Blessings that far exceed the frustrations.
To me, the most important parenting tool is CONSISTENCY!!!
Consistency in your love. Consistency in your rules. Consistency in your discipline.
Consistency!
Consistency!
Consistency!
Being consistent in discipline is tiring. It is exhausting at times, but it is the key to a harmonious home. It is the key to raising happy, loving, respectful children.
I remember when my oldest was about 4 years old. I was driving down the road, it was pouring down rain, and she was doing something she knew she was not supposed to be doing (I cannot remember now what it was.) I told her if I had to tell her one more time to stop _______ I was going to pull the van over and spank her. (Yes, I spanked. I did not beat. I disciplined.) Of course, as soon as the words were out of my mouth I wanted to take them back. I knew if she did it again I was going to have to follow through. I just kept thinking, "Please don't do it again!" "Please don't do it again!" Wouldn't you know it, my darling daughter decided she was going to do it again. The van was pulled over, she was spanked, and the behavior ceased instantly~~with both of us a little wetter than when we started out.
It would have been so much easier to just have driven on and given another idle threat. Yet I knew, in order for her to learn consequences, boundaries and rules, I had to get out of that van and follow through with my 'promise' of discipline.
As parents we often feel overwhelmed with the task of raising our gifts from God {Psalms 127:3}. We are unsure about the steps we should take to raise righteous, loving children. But we are not alone in this journey of parenthood. We have been given the greatest parenting 'guidebook'~~the inspired Word of God.
Proverbs 13:24 He who spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him is careful to discipline him.
Proverbs 22:6 Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.
Ephesians 6:4 Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.
Titus 2:4 Then they can train the younger women to love their husbands and children...
Deuteronomy 21:18 If a man has a stubborn and rebellious son who does not obey his father and mother and will not listen to them when they discipline him...
Job 5:17 "Blessed is the man whom God corrects; so do not despise the discipline of the Almighty.Deuteronomy 4:36 From heaven he made you hear his voice to discipline you. On earth he showed you his great fire, and you heard his words from out of the fire.
Deuteronomy 8:5 Know then in your heart that as a man disciplines his son, so the LORD your God disciplines you.
Our heavenly Father is unchanging in His discipline, unwavering in His love for us, and steadfast in the promises He has made for those who remain obedient to Him.
He is our perfect example.
The example that we, as parents, are to strive to be like.
If more people asked God for the wisdom to help train up our children; prayed for guidance to parent with love; asked God to help with our routines and discipline, SuperNanny would not be needed in our homes!
