Global parenting expert and child advocate Jo Frost, previously known as the Super Nanny, wants to come to Australia to help us with our toddlers.
With a new show, Nanny on Tour, starting in Holland, Jo intends to travel the globe and has Queensland firmly in her sights. With more than 25 years of teaching parents how to navigate tricky milestones, she is more than welcome here — and can she start with my tricky ‘three-nager’, Millie!
I caught up with her for some practical and much needed advice.
Jo hopes to bring her world tour to Australia soon.
You have a brand new book called Toddler Rules. I have a toddler who certainly rules my house. Can you help me?
Of course! Really, the inspiration of this book came from watching airplanes turning around from children having temper tantrums, continuous emails and people stopping me in the street saying to me, ‘I feel like I don’t know what to do when my child has a tantrum’. The book helps you identify the three types of tantrums all kids have. If you can do that, you can eliminate the tantrums and you can learn how to respond rather than react to them. We need to learn how to communicate better with them.
How do we do that?
We need more discipline and to get over the stigma of that word. We as parents are the ones that need more discipline. If we are more disciplined as human beings, we are able to give our children what they need so they can function well and we can be proud that we can follow through and they can meet their best potential.
The book talks about the five steps. What are they?
The five steps are Sleep, Food, Play, Early Learning and Manners. They are really what helps us to be able to shape better behavior from our children as parents, and they are all interconnected. If we are disciplined in realising that children need 10 to 12 hours of sleep and rest, and if we are disciplined in their food practices and recognising what they need and what is best served to them, everything else starts to fall in place and we will have a more rounded family life.
Jo, what do you think of phrases like ‘terrible twos’ and ‘three-nager’?
I take them with a pinch of salt. The terrible twos are no longer the terrible twos, children are showing more combative behavior a lot younger now, three years olds are being given too much control. Those phrases are being used in a destructive way rather than channeling it in a more positive, instructive way. Now it is about labeling these kids, and it’s a fickle saying. If you understand your kids better, these phrases are not necessary. We need to bridge the gap to understand our kids better.
Is the number one way to help our kids to spend more time with them?
I don’t think there is a number one. The parenting journey is about knowledge and understanding and education. The more we can work alongside our own paternal and maternal instincts and then make educated decisions, that will ultimately lead us to feel confident in the parenting arena.
You can visit Jo online at JoFrost.com or follow her on Twitter @Jo_Frost.
Parents ARE the ones who need discipline….that is what rubs off on to the kids. We must act the way we want our kids to act – because that is exactly what happens. It’s no use telling your kids to get off their lazy behinds and do something when you are are an ovaloid couch potato with eyes glued to an electronic device of some sort. It’s no use telling them to stick at working on an assignment or sports training when you have ’employment deficit disorder’. If you put limits and boundaries in place – and enforce them regularly and consistently, you will create a young person who learns respect – for themselves and for others. Sadly too many parents are ‘too busy’ to do this and delight in blaming all and sundry for their kids’ failings….
So sad that actual parenting is a dying skill! Bring on some common sense and parenting classes to every hospital and maybe the kids won’t get to the point where they need to call in a professional!
Jo Frost was meant to visit the GC back in 2012 and I had purchased ticket back then in the hope that she could give me some advice for my then toddler. But, the tour was cancelled, sadly and never rescheduled. I hope she does tour this time and doesn’t have to cancel. I would of loved to hear her in person to provide some tips.
Jo my friend need need needs your help we live on the gold coast in qld she has one teenage boy and 3 wild ones under 8 pretty please xxxx
yes I do!!!!! Thanks sue! You can’t believe how many people have told me over the years that I need the super nanny! The boys are out of control! Two have never even slept in there own beds! My six year old doesn’t fall asleep until 11pm and the 3 year old wakes about five times a night. They swear, they fight, they kick, they bite! And nothing I do seems to work! I have panic attacks and anxiety always and I’m pretty sure it stems from there crazy uncontrollable ways! Yes it is probably my fault as I’m too soft but I do try…please help me! ❤️