I have very few principles when it comes to my reality television vice.
Anyway, this week's episode was about another mom of 4 boys, the youngest of whom was a newborn. (You know, I never realized that there may be a connection between my Supernanny viewings and the fact that I'm sure I could never handle having more kids. But she does seem to visit a lot of people with 4 or more.) So Jo was all like, "Oi! How can she control these rascals when she's got a newborn in her arms!"
Okay, she didn't say the "Oi!" part.
Did Jo buy this woman a sling? A Baby Bjorn? The inventions that have allowed millions of women to prevent their toddlers from running into traffic while still cuddling their newborns? No, she did not. Though she did make her and her husband fill out a baby log to track the baby's feedings and diapers. Is it just the fact that I breastfed on demand, or is that a hell of a lot of extra work for a healthy baby? I mean, do people normally do that with the 6 week olds? Was I horribly remiss?
I mean, okay, possibly these people should have figured out the sling thing for themselves, but since they were also using hot sauce as a punishment (seriously, when the kids were really bad they had to eat some hot sauce) I'm going to guess they weren't big on reading parenting books and blogs. But Jo not suggesting it tells me that she is not used to handling a newborn and older children, at least not by herself.
To which I say - that's why it's a lot easier to be a nanny! Hah! I've been a nanny, so I can say that. What they should really develop is SuperMommy, where a woman with grown and well-adjusted children goes around and helps overwhelmed parents. All I can say is that if my passionate children become unruly teenagers, I will not be calling on the Supernanny.
What do you think?
12 comments:
I'd have been lost without our sling, and my kids were 13 years apart! And I agree: if you're going to take preschoolers anywhere it's important to bring things to keep them quietly entertained. If parents can't remember to do that, then they've got no business leaving their homes with kids in tow no matter HOW cooped up they feel.
I like that idea of a supermommy coming in....more realistic! I've not perfected either the nanny part or the mommy part, but being able to deal with the realities of day to day living are essential!!!
LOL I went through a particularly rough spot with my two younger kids when my mom suggested watching Super Nanny. I got a few helpful hints from her but mostly made my kids watch her and told them if they didn't shape up she would be their new mommy :)
Michelle- you made me LOL!
YES!! SuperMommy!! You are so right on about this! And, I have four kids, one of which is a two month old newborn whom I'm breastfeeding so I have direct knowledge of this type of situation. I can tell you that keeping a log regarding the baby is totally unrealistic. Totally. And, not only is the sling a mom's best friend, so is a responsible-wiser-than-her-years-lil'-momma 5 year old. Seriously, I wouldn't get by without the help of my oldest daughter.
Venomous Kate - I agree. And the sling is pretty much essential if you don't want to sit on the couch for 3 months!
Silken - But your kids are older and happy, so you probably know a lot more than supernanny. You're just more modest than she it.
Michelle - My husband, aka Scandalous Rogue, wants to steal that idea. I watch it with my kids too, and mostly they just talk about how horrible the kids on the TV are.
Lunanik - I seriously don't know how you do it. And I'm so glad I'm not the only one who didn't keep a log! I too am lucky because my older 2 are wonderful friends and take being good to their younger brother very seriously. Otherwise I'd be a mess.
I could of used a "super mommy" when my kids were in 6th and 7th grade.
Those two years aged me seriously.
I also do remember a particular moment where I drove my kids by the childrens home (the one for troubled teens) and told them I would be dropping them off there to live if they didnt shape up.
Is that bad?
I agree...and at the end of the day, Jo goes home. 'Nuff said.
Great post!
I couldn't agree more. Each time I had another child (I have four) it became more difficult to manage the other children. If it weren't for the sling/bjorn thing, I don't think any of us would've survived! :)
You are my new favorite blogger!
thanks for your help!
Mitch
www.gaynycdad.com
Michelle- you made me LOL!
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