Ask Supernanny

by Jo Frost

Supernanny Jo Frost is back, with a new book to give parents the step-by-step help they need to put her tried-and-tested techniques into practice. As viewers around the world can testify, Jo tames the wildest toddlers, sorts out the bolshiest kids and turns warring tribes into loving, relaxed families. Her methods really work. Ever since she first appeared on our screens, thousands of parents have written to Jo to ask for help, Mums and Dads -- often at the end of their tether -- who need in-depth advice to implement her common-sense techniques. This book is the result. In ASK SUPERNANNY Jo addresses a wide range of new issues, from single parenting, divorce and bereavement, to how to take the stress out of the school run. She introduces new techniques to improve family dynamics; and she provides the depth and detail to make sure you can put her methods successfully into action -- right from the word go.

Genres: Parenting, Nonfiction, Reference, Adult

Paperback

First published January 1, 2006

About the author

Joanne A. Frost

"Jo Frost was catapulted to international fame when she became the star of a new reality show, “Supernanny.” She won the role over hundreds of other applicants when television producers were struck by her outstanding childcare skills, her sincerity and candid style that now help her to transform families and instill positive, lasting results. She debuted in the UK in the summer of 2004 with just three episodes, and became an overnight sensation, garnering widespread popularity and acclaim. She made “Naughty Step” and “Your behavior is very naughty!” national catchphrases, and got a rave in the House of Commons on a discussion about preventing the causes of anti-social behavior." ...more

Reviews

[Kayla · Rating 3 out of 5]

After I got this book I went onto Hulu and watched a bunch of Supernanny episodes and I have to say: I like Jo. I like her methods, I like her ideas and I like her advice. Watching the episodes made this book easier to read. you can read it on your own, but you understand so much more if you've seen the techniques work.

As much as I love her advice when it comes to children, parents, teenagers and toddlers, it only earned three stars because this book proved that Jo has no idea when it comes to babies. She says things in this book that are just plain wrong. It's not her opinion vs my opinion, it's her stating incorrect facts. For instance, she says that breastfeeding babies under 6 months of age should be given cooled boiled water to keep them hydrated. That was the popular theory 20 years ago, but today, ALL doctors say that's just crazy. Since this book was published last year, I have to say I'm really annoyed.

So, skip all advice about babies and just read the parts about everything else. I really liked the techniques in this book and will be using them on my LO.

[Elise · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is actually a pretty great book with lots of practical advice. Some of the techniques/methods are probably things you already do; however, she breaks them down step by step which really makes them seem not only manageable, but easy to remember in the "heat of the moment" ;). A lot of it is just plain common sense, but it just helps to reinforce things you already know sometimes!

Advice I want to remember:
-Only give ONE warning to a child misbehaving. More than one warning will teach them that you don't really mean it.
-Be a "Speaking Clock" to a child who has issues with coming and going
-The "Naughty Chair" technique
-Use a timer during Time Out and let the child see it (not hold it).
-Establishing ground rules for mealtimes
-Your toddler/preschooler won't eat dinner? Stop giving snacks! Only 1 - 2 cups of juice per day (this is common sense you probably already know, but I have a hard time enforcing it, so it was good to hear it again). Violet would live on juice if she could.
-Picky eater? Let them help prepare the food, explaining how you need different foods from each food group

The ideas for different Reward Charts are creative but simple. I like the one where she used a picture of a castle and a cut-out princess for the child (obviously this is a girly one). The child gets to move the princess towards the castle when she behaves well, away from the castle when she misbehaves. Reaching the castle means she gets a treat.

I skimmed over the baby and newborn sections--but there really weren't that many. I think this is meant more for toddlers, little kids, and big kids.

I didn't agree with absolutely everything (e.g. leaving a child in the crib till the age of 3), but for the most part, Jo Frost gives great advice. A "no-nonsense" approach to parenting :).

[Negin Hdzdh · Rating 3 out of 5]

اگر فرزندانی غیر قابل کنترل دارین و از هیچ راهی در تربیتشون موفق نشدین جو فراست برای شما است و حتما یک راه حلی توی کتابش پیدا میکنید که بچه را سر به راه کنید تا با قانون شما رفتار و زندگی کنه. ولی من اصلا ایشون رو نمیپسندم. به نظرم فقط در شرایط بحرانی و در مورد کودکانی که کار از کارشون گذشته باید از راهکارهای ایشون استفاده کرد، مگر اینکه شما هم به یک سلسله قانون های دیکتاتوری توی خانه پایبند باشید یا شرایط کاریتون طوری باشه که راهی نداشته باشید به جز اجبار بچه به مثلا هر روز سر ساعت مشخص بیدار شدن و سر ساعت مشخص غذا خوردن و دستشویی کردن و حموم کردن و مطالعه کردن و بازی کردن و خوابیدن! یعنی کلا از صبح بچه های خردسال طبق برنامه بلند بشن و به ترتیب لیست تعریف شده مرتب و منظم کارهاشون رو انجام بدن که به نظر من خیلی دیکتاتوریه و بچه ها رو خیلی زود داره سازمانیافته و رباتیک میکنه. دقیقا انگار که صبح به صبح باید ساعت ۸ تو اداره انگشت بزنند. یا مثلا اینکه صندلی تنبیه وجودش تو همه خونه ها طبیعی باشه رو من نمیپسندم. انکار نمیکنم که تو فرهنگ غربی خیلی روش موفقی از آب در اومده و خوب کاملا قابل درک هست که وقتی پدر و مادر هر روز از کله سحر تا شب سر کار هستند و یک بیبی سیتر نهایتا چند ساعتی خدمت بچه هست تا مادر برسه خونه و تازه کار خونه شروع میشه این روش ایده آل به نظر میاد که بچه ها صبح به صبح بیدار بشن صف بکشن و روتین همه کارشون رو طبق برنامه‌ریزی اولیا انجام بدن.
ولی من در مورد بچه خودم فقط اگر روزی احساس کنم که به یک بچه وحشی و رام نشدین تبدیل شده ممکنه از توصیه های ایشون استفاده کنم.

[Shelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this book. I pretty much read it cover to cover, which I usually don't do with this type of book. I admit I did skip a couple of small sections that didn't apply to me at all (like the one on nursing). I think she has a lot of great parenting advice. Now if only I could put it into practice, and whip my kids into shape.

[وضحى · Rating 4 out of 5]

one of the greatest book i've ever read to help parents raise thier kids :)

[DrieKopDraak · Rating 3 out of 5]

Er is geen echt overzicht/inhoudstafel om gemakkelijk te zoeken. Wel een trefwoordenregister maar ik vind het persoonlijk niet zo goed. De "technieken" staan ook niet duidelijk aangegeven ̈. Staan lukraak tussen tekst en je hebt niet echt door dat je al de techniek aan het bekijken bent.

[Aisha Alsoulah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful parenting book

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amazing book with great advice. Just don't like the water advice but it's also almost 20 years old

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

It used to be when I found myself losing it in the discipline department I would watch a Supernanny episode and find myself reinvigorated. Often the show would have a sequence where a parent would spend and hour or more constantly putting their child in their "naughty spot". I thought If they could do that without losing it then I can do it for 10 minutes. Anyway I always thought that a Supernanny parenting book would be helpful to read. I did like the book, as she says herself what she teaches is nothing new, she has just packaged and presented it differently. One thing that I am applying now is making different fun charts for encouraging good behavior. Right now we have two charts, one is a general good behavior and helpfulness chart and the other is a clean room chart and so far they are working.

[Dana Veron · Rating 3 out of 5]

We originally read this book to help us with some bedtime issues with our nearly 4 year old. Jo's techniques work well, and are explained in terms all parents can understand. Not only that, she answers many of the "what if" questions that often arise when trying a new technique out. I enjoyed her dialogue in the book so much that I read it cover-to-cover. I'll be keeping this one on my shelf for reference!

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

I borrowed the SuperNanny books from a friend to help with my willful toddler. They were great! I highly recommend them. I have started using the Naughty Spot she talks about and various other parenting strategies to help with troublesome areas. It seems to help, but I have only been using them for a week or so and don't expect immediate results for a while. But my daughter is showing an improvement on some days.

[J.C. · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book had some good suggestions but often left me wanting to ask more specific questions that applied to my son. Sort of like the "What to Expect" books in that it has a parent's question followed by Jo's answer, but it also has some general instructions in her techniques. Maybe my son is just more curious/stubborn/active than other kids but most things don't really work for him & those that do just take forever...

[Colette · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think this book has some very good ideas. I like Frost's style... no nonsense, but still loving and fun. I think I might buy this one to refer back to as my children get older and go through different stages. She covers all ages, from infancy to teenagers. It's not super in-depth for all ages, but I think it's more of a style guide than a "here's exactly what to do in every situation and stage" book.

[Elasha · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read two books by Jo Frost and give them both a 3-3.5 star rating. Easy to read formats with helpful hints. What I take away from the Supernanny is this: discipline your children with firmness and calmness; to solve a discipline problem, make a plan and follow through; give your kids the structure they crave; and if you have more than two or three of them, good luck! :)

[Leigh Shaver · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just like the TV show, Jo answers questions, and describes her "techniques" for parents. Helpful ideas for lots of different parenting situations. Easy to read and very positive, hopeful! Also, nice to read about households much more crazy than mine!

[Theresa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a pretty great book. It deals with ages 1-15, so there's not a lot of emphasis on toddlers, which was sort of what I was looking for. But, it provides information for this stage, as well as others down the road. So, overall it's not bad. A lot of what it says makes sense.

[Kari Moore · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love Supernanny, but I just wish I could have her come to my house for a day, instead of having to read her book. A lot of the information she gives we don't need yet, so I am sure I will keep referring to this book over time.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

really LOVED her frst book 'supernanny'! read it in 2 days!! have just begun this one....am hoping to find specific answers to certain questions i have! sure wish she had a website so that i could email her direct when needed!!

[Elsha Haberle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent, excellent book that any parent who has or ever will be concerned about providing structure, discipline, encouragement and praise in their child's life should read. I'm sure I will be re-reading in the future.

[Summer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Overall well written and easy to read with lots of great suggestions. I personally find parenting in the area of preventing bad behavior more beneficial, whereas this book mainly talks about tactics to stop bad behavior. It was still a good read and I love her show.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love watching her show on tv, and have used a lot of her techniques for time outs and bedtime routines. I really liked this book, because it took questions that parents often ask and explained her technique step by step.

[Cori Cooper · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book wasn't quite what I had in mind but it has great references for tips and charts online that I found invaluable. Overall I'm glad I read it but it wasn't really anything new or life changing.

[Mandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. It gives so many practical, logical ways to deal with a child's behavior. I definitely recommend reading "Scream free Parenting" first. I think it gives you the patience and perspective to use the Supernanny's techniques.

[Tricia · Rating 2 out of 5]

Most of the information I already do and know....While this might be great advice for parents who have never read any kind of book of this nature, for those of us with "experience" reading parenting help books, this was not much help....

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

good practical tips for parents with young children.

[Lain · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved the Supernanny show, but I found this book hard to navigate. While it was well-written, it was hard to follow and difficult to find the information I wanted.

[nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have to admit that I really loved this book. So practical and straightforward with advice I know I will one day use.

[Joanna · Rating 2 out of 5]

It's ok, but she tries to cover too much in one book. I've read better parenting books.

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Actually quite a good no nonsense parenting book.

[Rivka Abramowitz · Rating 4 out of 5]

never watched the show, but this book is full of useful advice!