Nanny Television

I was recently watching one of those shows on television that is supposed to teach caregivers techniques to help unruly children.  This particular show has an "expert" giving advice and delegating the discipline process.  I found myself disturbed after a few moments at how stern and sometimes mean she was to the caregivers and the children.  There definitely needs to be a reality check if your kids are running amok out of control, but the punishment needs to fit the crime.  Why would someone want to listen to a so-called-expert that never acknowledges how much they love their children or what positive things they teach their children?

I found myself feeling somewhat disgusted after seeing most of the show.  The expert was yelling at these caregivers in front of the children.  What kind of behavior model is that?  Doesn't that just teach the opposite of what the parents want their children to learn?  She seemed determined to whip the parents and the children into shape like a childcare drill instructor.

I also found her "techniques" to be somewhat odd.  Discipline does not just mean punishment.  It means teaching.  So, if the child continues to get up from bed when it is time to go to sleep, why are you taking them into another room to sit in a time-out corner?  Why not gently place them back in bed as many times as it takes?  I think it's because she wanted to punish, not teach.  The children eventually fell asleep in bed, not because they learned something, because they were exhausted.  Shaming should never be a form of discipline.

There are some wonderful caregiver educators out there that I have seen demonstrate creative and effective techniques for helping children behave appropriately and more fully reach their potential.  I actually enjoy watching these people interact with families due to their knowledge and approach.  They want the best for that family and those children, not a pat on the back for themselves.