Article July 25, 2005 Issue

The Children OF LAW AND ORDER

By Beverly Goldsmith

In households around Australia, the issue of how to deal with tantrum-throwing children is a hot topic of discussion. This is due to the success of the reality show Supernanny, starring English childminder Jo Frost. Such is Frost's popularity Down Under that the sixth episode of Supernanny scored 1.86 million viewers around the country — just a fraction behind Desperate Housewives. And 38,000 copies of Frost's book How to Get the Best from Your Children were sold in just three weeks.

According to newspaper reports, Supernanny viewers in Britain, Australia, and the United States, have been impressed with Frost's sensible tips. Britons also loved the television series Driving Mum and Dad Mad, starring "Australia's own Supernanny," Professor Matt Sanders, a child behavior specialist at Queensland University's Parenting and Family Support Centre. And now, there's Nanny 911.

The popularity of these TV shows indicates that many parents are looking for ways to reduce the stress levels associated with parenting.

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