SUPERNANNY - Wipe out!

This week Supernanny intervened in the Addis family home, where the four kids (2, 5, 6, and 6 years old) don’t act their age and are prone to volcanic temper tantrums among other issues.

OK, I take that back – the 2-year old acts his age.  The other kids are a little behind the curve.  They throw fits over the slightest things, drink from sippy cups, and need help wiping their bums.  The entire family is coping in different ways with the death of their beloved live-in grandfather, but mom Leslie has sort of given up.  As a result, the kids don’t have any incentive or motivation to act in an age appropriate way.

Jo “Supernanny” Frost straightens them out big time.  She is aghast at the presence of sippy cups and can’t believe that little Eden needs help wiping.

Typically, a child starts wiping their own bottom between 3 and 4 years old, according to Jo.  Yet in her experience, kids start wiping late over here in the States.  “Do you know how many American houses I’ve been into where the kids don’t their own bum?”  Jo says at one point.  “It’s quite interesting.”

By “interesting” I think she means “disgusting” or “inappropriate.”  Jo has clearly had a lot of nanny experience in the UK as well as the USA, so she’s drawing a direct comparison here.  Do kids in the UK really wipe their own bums before kids in the States?  And if so – what does that say about American culture and our chances of survival as a society?

I don’t know the answer to that, but I’m a little chagrined that we’re behind the UK in the Wiping Race.  Once we cede leadership in bum wiping to other countries, what’s next?  Soon other countries will be passing us by in nose-blowing and shoe-tying as well.  I think Supernanny has an important wake-up call for all of us.

Wow, that is the most I have ever written or thought about bum wiping in one er, sitting.  Thanks, Supernanny!  I think...

--Dave Campbell

Comments

[blanches37]

listen when a kid turns 3 they can wipe with a wet wipe and that will at least keep them until they take a bath. It is no need for a parent to wipe their kids bum for them at the age of four or five that is crazy, What type of kids are you raising here. If you teach your kids at a young age they will know. Things are much easy today then back in the 70's.