…whenever I watch it I see the British flag flashed several times while one (or a few) British nannies watch a tape of a family with ridiculously ill-behaved, bratty children, shaking their heads and rolling their eyes in disapproval the whole time. Then, you see the nanny come in to the home to save the day. I enjoy the show and I have learned many discipline techniques I may choose to try with my own daughter when she is a bit older, however the fact that the show portrays Americans as bad parents and we need the British nanny to come in and save the day. Does that turn anyone else off at all? Why couldn’t they have a few American nannies?
To Americans -
Do you think that since all the nannies are British, it makes it look like we American’s can’t control our own children? That’s one thing that always bugged me about the show. What do you think?
To people around the world –
Do you feel like American’s are worse parents than the parents in other countries? Do you think shows like the Supernanny propagate those thoughts? – Please feel free to be very honest. We are online so no one knows who you are 
Thanks everyone!
Heather – Thanks! You’re right, I did have the 2 shows confused. BTW, I’m not offended by any part of it. I like the show – or both shows, LOL!
I was just wondering if anyone else ever thought that the concept of having British nannies come in and fix messed up US families made other’s think US parents can’t control their kids. That’s all.
Shawn – Where are you from? I don’t think southerners are the most strict American parents. Maybe some but for instance, many redneck families have little to no discipline. I know. I lived in GA for 3 years while I was in the Army.
4 comments
Comment by Meghann on November 9, 2009 at 8:19 pm
It has never bothered me. I think that she is British so they wanted to capitalize on the Mary Poppins gimmick. Also, I have seen a few episodes where she helps families in England so I don’t think that bad parenting is exclusive to Americans
Comment by Shawn on November 12, 2009 at 9:50 am
no just the really good nannies apparently come from great britain. actually my belief would be people from south in the us are the most strict people and best nannies.
Comment by Amy on November 14, 2009 at 11:36 am
I happen to really like super nanny as well, and when I got my job as a nanny I actually started recording the show just so I could watch her methods.
Do I think that other countries think we can’t control our children, it depends on the country, and where they are located. Children in China are taught that respect is not negotiable, but Germany is known for its rebellion in the younger generations. America does have a problem with their children, parents are to lax when it comes to discipline and we are getting further away from the ideals that telling a child no and setting solid boundaries is a good thing. The child that I take care of is a holy terror for his parents because they do not ask for respect, where as with me, he is the picture of sweetness because I will not allow him to hit me, kick me, tell me no, so one and so forth.
As for the show, nannies are primarily used in Britain, thats where the concept originated and it never really caught on over here. We have nurses and babysitters, so they play up the fact that super nanny is British because its cute, and expected. I have seen her taking on British families, and all of them just as desperate as the US parents. Some were even worse.
The idea that Britain is laughing at us over a show, is a little beyond the radar, considering that they have so many other things to point the finger at. As a nanny I do know that American nannies do exist, and in large numbers, but we don’t always go by that term. Babysitter, In home child care provider, nurse, girl that watches my kids, you name it we get called it.
Hope thats what you were looking for. Hats off for wanting the truth by the way.
Comment by Heather on November 15, 2009 at 9:58 am
Ok, i think you are getting your shows mixed up. Supernanny has Jo as the nanny. It is always her. That is the show with the British flag. Nanny 911 is the show where 3 or 4 nannies watch a tape of the family in need. Both shows have shown British families as well. I love watching supernanny. It is a great show and she is strict yet she does not beat the kids. I am not offended by the families being mostly American. They help whoever needs it. If you think about it, in many other cultures the children are raised so strictly that they do not act out. With America there is so much talk about children being their own parent. Child lead parenting. I think its stupid. We are parents for a reason. If you watch shows such as Wife Swap or Trading Spouses you see families that look so perfect to everyone else but when you get into their how and delve into what really happens, some of the kids are so controled its like a prison and then some kids have so much freedom. In America, there is no set way to raise children. So, yes I think that we have more problems. I have a 4 year old boy and a 2 year old boy. They have little attitudes, but i have used many of the techniques that Supernanny has shown. Again, I am not offended and I have no problem with them showing an British flag. I feel like I can not be offended when someone takes pride in their nationality. We have American flags everywhere and we could easily say that we offend people but this is our country so I dont care. If i went to Britian, I wouldnt care if someone was offended at the sight of the American flag. We all need to be proud of where we come from. If someone (not saying you) has a problem with the flag shown or the families shown, watch another show.