would YOU do this??

[carolfoy]

Learnt last night that friends of mine are off tomorrow to go on 'the house of tiny tearaways' got me thinking that it would be awful for the child in years to come to always be known as 'that horrific child on the telly' seems like a pretty desperate measure, he's only 2 and I know he's a handful but would you want your child and your parenting skills to be as public as this?

 

[Kernow_Clan]

Learnt last night that friends of mine are off tomorrow to go on 'the house of tiny tearaways' got me thinking that it would be awful for the child in years to come to always be known as 'that horrific child on the telly' seems like a pretty desperate measure, he's only 2 and I know he's a handful but would you want your child and your parenting skills to be as public as this?

A small percentage of these people are so desperate for help that they will do whatever it takes to save their family life, However the pessimist in me believes that a lot of the people on these shows, add in the likes of holiday showdown etc, are trying to achieve the "celebrity" status that is given so easily these days.

If that is the case, they should be ashamed at using their children/family as a tool for their own greed.

If you look at it logically, as our society is moving towards seeing children as a "right" rather than a gift of nature, then their importance is diminished to that of an accessory, akin to a sports car.

Sorry, very down hearted with our society at the moment. This is the tip of the iceberg.

 

[carolfoy]

Coincidence Ade - you used to go to school with father in question!! not that that alters your opinion, (will pm you with details) I'm not convinced they are doing it for the celebrity just out of desperation but am confused as to why they didn't ask friends or family for help and advice rather than be subjected to the ridicule they are already getting - him from guys at work and football and her from mothers at the nursery school and neighbours. would anyone want their child labled as a 'tiny tearaway' in such a small town for years to come?
Am not suggesting they should have come to me for advice I'm hardly Jo Frost myself but surely its asking for a reputation?

 

[Ware Bears]

A small percentage of these people are so desperate for help that they will do whatever it takes to save their family life, However the pessimist in me believes that a lot of the people on these shows, add in the likes of holiday showdown etc, are trying to achieve the "celebrity" status that is given so easily these days.

If that is the case, they should be ashamed at using their children/family as a tool for their own greed.

If you look at it logically, as our society is moving towards seeing children as a "right" rather than a gift of nature, then their importance is diminished to that of an accessory, akin to a sports car.

Sorry, very down hearted with our society at the moment. This is the tip of the iceberg.

I tend to agree with you Ade. The primary school that my younger DD's goes to runs a couple of free courses each year for parents who are having any problems with their kids. Admittedly, this is only for one afternoon a week for a few weeks, not as intensive as with the TV shows, but I always wonder how much these are staged for the cameras.
Luckily, my DD's have never given us too much trouble and I am sure some parents must really be at the end of their tether, but help must be out there from relatives/friends/professionals rather than resorting to "washing your dirty linen in public". On saying that, I am now feeling very guilty for typing this because I do watch Supernanny every week.

Carol, hope you don't think I'm criticising your friends but I do agree, the number of times these programmes are repeated on the satellite channels, he is bound to get labelled as that naughty boy from the telly.

 

[carolfoy]

I don't take that as criticism at all Elaine, I was aghast when I was told about it! The little lad is a handful - what 2 year old isn't? and my honest opinion is that a lot of the 'faults' (waking constantly in the night asking for bottles, not being able to settle when his dad tries to put him down etc) are of the parents own making sorry feel guilty for even suggesting it! but the BBC has been round and interviewed the family at length and stayed during the boys troublesome moments so I'm presuming they must beleive he's 'bad' enough to be worthy of going on the show but I'm still thinking this must be a cry for help and I feel a little ashamed I haven't tried to intervene as much as I perhaps could have.

 

[Joanne UK]

Off topic I know but a couple who live in my road went on wife swap last year. They came across appallingly and sure enough were then in the local paper bleating "wife swap ruined our lives" etc etc. I think these people want their 15 minutes of fame and it seems so easy to get it these days with the amount of reality tv on at the moment.

If I was having difficulty coping with either of my children I would try to remedy it discreetly.

 

[arieliwish]

Hi all,
I know one of the women who was on the holiday programme where 2 families go to 2 very different holidays (sorry can't remember the name, hers was the only one I watched), she's not a close friend just an aquaintance. She came across as horrible, and I have to say she is an attention seeker in real life. And she had already split up with her husband before the filming started, but made out that the show had caused a rift. I feel sorry for the kids being put through that sort of thing.

 

[Scottish_Maleficent]

I'm a big fan of 'Supernanny' on Channel 4 and I like Jo Frost's techniques - having used some in the parenting of my own children (yes, we have a naughty stair) but I'm not sure I would want to be the subject of a programme myself.

While some programmes like Wife Swap and Holiday Showdown might be targetted by those wanting their 15 minutes of fame, I'm not so sure that the 'parenting skills' ones like Tiny Tearaways and Supernanny. I think these people are really desperate for help - but as Elaine says...why not seek professsional help from a family therapist or the like.

 

[Miffy2003]

Would I go on something like this? Absolutely, categorically not. I can't think of anything worse than exposing myself (not literally ) in this way.

But I have been blessed with children who are well behaved (99.99% of the time, anyway). Maybe I would feel differently if I had not been so lucky.

 

[Laurajean1014]

No. I like my private life, private.

 

[diberry]

Would I go on something like this? Absolutely, categorically not. I can't think of anything worse than exposing myself (not literally ) in this way.

But I have been blessed with children who are well behaved (99.99% of the time, anyway). Maybe I would feel differently if I had not been so lucky.

Or maybe you've just brought them up right!!! I know there are always exceptions but if a child knows it's loved and knows where the boundaries are they generally turn out ok. I don't know how anyone thinks that turning their world upside down and having even more attention paid to their bad behaviour is going to help the poor kids. The television companies should be ashamed of themselves.

 

[Cyrano]

I have to agree that when someone is that desperate they will turn to anyone for help.
Karen, I'm right there with you. To let others see you on national tv is not my idea of fun
Although I have to admit when I've come across the programme they make compulsive viewing. Not sure that is something that makes it right. Probably shows how clever the tv is a making something

Reid

 

[alisonbestford]

I don't watch reality tv (or much tv at all actually ) but I was fleetingly tempted to apply for the programme where someone comes and does your house up
DH has a brain tumour and spare cash goes into holidays / memories rather than the house (which is now showing definite signs of neglect )
However, I couldn't air our entire life on tv.
DH did 'Weakest Link' in an attempt to earn some cash but that's not quite the same is it?
I'm not sure DD (almost 7) would ever forgive me

 

[jen_uk]

No I would never go on anything like that (I dont have kids so it wouldnt be very interesting if I did!), my family would be so angry if I did it that I would never dare to!
I love watching those shows like Supernanny, I dont want to sound judgemental but alot of the time it seems to be the parents who have caused the problems to start with, for example last night that woman trying to force feed her son, not good!

 

[leise]

Funnily enough I was approached to go on Little Angels this year ; how shameful is that ? I said, er, no thanks.

Well I wasn't approached in person but I help run a local support group for parents of kids with ADHD and/or Autistic Spectrum Disorder, and they approached me looking for a family with children with ASD. Luckily my son didn't fit the criteria so I had a quick excuse, but I did talk at length to the producer and she was really nice and genuine, and the idea is they help solve problems and challenging behaviour in your kids, in a positive way, in a way that viewers can pick up and use themselves. If viewers use their techniques yourself then the programme has worked.

We were quite keen that someone from our group do the programme to help show people what it's like to have one of these kids who don't necessarily behave as they should for reasons which don't necessarily have much to do with parenting. But I don't think anyone from our group was very keen...can't say I blame them.

No way could I have done it, too intrusive, and I think probably difficult for most children. I agree some people do these programmes for their 15 seconds of fame, but I'm sure there are people who are desperate, and sometimes it's easier to ask a complete stranger for help rather than someone you know.