Parenting Information

You Dont Need a Supernanny to Be an Active Parent


The hot new reality TV show "Nanny 911" has been joined by a similar nanny-to-the-rescue show called "Supernanny." These shows depict families in which the children are extremely out of control, rebellious, spoiled or otherwise quite a handful. The nannies come in for a week (from sunrise to bedtime each day), helping the family get back on track by teaching the parents effective parenting skills and modeling these skills firsthand with the children.

I have to admit to having only seen one episode of "Nanny 911," but, speaking as a parenting educator, I was impressed. The nanny sent to the rescue knew her stuff. She taught the parents to set limits, how to discipline using logical consequences and how to be firm and calm at the same time. She was good enough--and here's a huge compliment coming--to have been an Active Parenting leader. In fact, at one point, as the passive father is learning to be more involved, these words appear on the screen: "Father is becoming a more active parent."

Although I'm not a big reality TV fan in general, I think these two particular shows can be of real value to a lot of parents. They provide useful information and teach good parenting skills. Let's face it--if it works with these dysfunctional families, these skills will probably work for you, too!

And here's the good news: you don't have to be on a reality show to learn effective parenting skills. Parenting classes are available all over the country. You can watch the videos, consult with a parent educator, and share ideas with other parents just like you. To find one in your community, check with your child's school guidance counselor. Many classes are also listed on our web site.

But however you decide to improve your family life, please keep making the effort. Parenting is not the only influence on a child's life...but it's the one you can do the most about.

Dr. Popkin is a former child and family therapist in Atlanta. He founded Active Parenting Publishers in 1983 to help parents raise responsible children who are able to face life's challenges. His free, online "What's Your Parenting Style?" quiz is a popular way for parents to spot the strengths and weaknesses of their style. http://www.activeparenting.com/parents.htm


MORE RESOURCES:

Expo conference on parenting draws 350
Indianapolis Star, United States - 55 minutes ago
By William J. Booher About 350 people attended today’s Parent Empowerment Conference held by Indiana Black Expo. Talks, workshops and booths provided ...


Examiner.com

(ie San Francisco hiking, San Francisco parenting)
Examiner.com - 8 hours ago
by Sherrill Fulghum, New York Music Examiner When artists record an album there is often more songs written and recorded than make it onto the album. ...


Examiner.com

(ie San Francisco hiking, San Francisco parenting)
Examiner.com - 8 hours ago
by Michelle Flannigan, DC Metro Area Parenting Examiner Last month, a mother abandoned a newborn girl in a garbage sack in Tacoma Park. ...


Examiner.com

(ie San Francisco hiking, San Francisco parenting)
Examiner.com - 8 hours ago
by Kathleen Milazzo, Chicago Special Needs Examiner We all know how great holiday leftovers can be, however these leftovers do not consist of food not eaten ...


(ie San Francisco hiking, San Francisco parenting)
Examiner.com - 8 hours ago
by Brian Trent, Independent Examiner While his mother screamed and begged for mercy, a 15-year-old Indian boy was beaten, his scalp shaved, ...


Examiner.com

(ie San Francisco hiking, San Francisco parenting)
Examiner.com - 8 hours ago
by Sherrill Fulghum, New York Music Examiner In 2007 former Vice-President Al Gore launched a campaign for awareness of Global Warming. ...


Getting Tough on Bullying
Washington Post, United States - 15 hours ago
Adults need to take it seriously and try to understand why kids are involved on either end of bullying," said Richard Gallagher, director of the Parenting ...


Queer parenting: more than cute baby photos
Lawrentian (subscription), WI - 21 hours ago
After speaking with Wall, looking into co-parenting and reading different books, Buenzli and her partner decided that "we wanted the kids to be ours, ...


Mark Wahlberg shares parenting advice
Great Dad, California - 13 hours ago
Fatherhood can be a wild ride, whether you are an average dad or a high-profile star who is balancing parenting skills with the pressures of the celebrity ...


Thousands to get lessons in parenting
Stuff.co.nz, New Zealand - Nov 21, 2008
A Government scheme that sends parents of violent or misbehaving children to parenting courses is to expand to up to 15000 more families. ...

Parenting - Google News

home | site map
© 2006