SUPERNANNY - Uncheerful servitude

This week Supernanny answers a call for help from a desperate family - only this time the kids are asking for Jo's help, not the parents.

Whaa--?  Have the laws of physics in the Supernanny Universe suddenly changed?  Since when do kids call Jo Frost for help? 

In the case of the Chapman family, the two teenage girls, ages 17 and 14, were tasked with taking care of their three younger siblings by their busy parents.  While Mom and Dad work, these girls are expected to babysit their tempermental toddler brothers, do housework, and keep up with their homeschool education program.  The work load for the girls is punishing, and all of the kids are suffering from the lack of parental involvement.

During the observation day Jo is stunned by the girls' situation.  Normally Supernanny lurks in the background and sort of rolls her eyes or shakes her head disapprovingly at the parenting disaster unfolding in front of her, but this week she was reduced to tears by the plight of the overworked and stressed out teen girls.  It's like something from a Dickens novel.

As you might imagine, Jo lays into the Chapman parents, who are initially a little defensive about their child care system, or lack thereof, but soon get with the program.  When the oldest Chapman girl faints from exhaustion right in front of everyone, that sort of drives the message home.

Jo advocates for the girls' rights to have a normal adolescence and thrusts some parental responsibility back at the parents themselves.  They develop a fair schedule that allows everyone in the family to get their needs met - which means hiring a babysitter when needed instead of relying on their oldest kids.  In the end, balance and some sense of harmony are restored to the Chapman household and the girls get to stop being parent/siblings and just get to be girls again.

--Dave Campbell

Comments

[Jammie from Florida]

This episode was so heart wrenching, all I did was cry. I am so worried about these girls. I hope that there will be another update to make sure this family doesn't resort to their old ways. Please Jo go back and check on this family.

[Jns]

I think Childrens Services should be called in to make sure these parents follow the plan... That was beyond UNBELIEVABLE!

Also, a computer is homeschooling the kids? What was that all about... neither one of those parents looked qualified to homeschool even if they were around... SEND THE KIDS TO SCHOOL!

[M in NYC]

I hope someone steps in further. It was horrifying. Those girls are headed toward an uneducated, abusive life if they don't get more intervention. The boys deserve school too. I hope their neighbors watched and will do something.

[Sandy Atlanta]

I still worry about those girls, especially the older one who is so weak. They need to go to school and have friends. I doubt the parents will
follow the rule. Poor girls, they need help!

[Renee, CO]

Last nights episode was heartwrenching and so difficult to watch. My husband and I watched in horror as those poor girls were left to run the house and raise three boys and have their spirits broken. I unfortunately don't believe either parent will see the light and free those girls. I'm surprised that social services wasn't called for the abuse. If the older daughter should ever decide she would like to go to college out of state, we would like to offer our completely furnished basement for her to call home while she studies and rediscovers life, again. I'm very serious about this offer.

[Marti]

I was appalled by what I saw on Supernanny. That family doesn't need a nanny they need social services! I am very concerned about all five of the children. They are being raised in an abusive household. They need immediate intervention. I hope those children get the help they need.

[Sierra]

This was not a case of behavioural antics from young children. This was a clear example of child abuse! Those two girls were treated like servants not members of the family.
I was not happy by the update either. People can act a certain way for a camera. I hope that there is further investigation into this situation. These girls need friends, fun, love and proper schooling!!!

[Connecticut]

This episode was gut wrenching. What selfless, selfish, lazy, abusive parents. I have never seen anything like this in my life. This was nothing but modern day slavery at its best. This is child abuse in the worst way. I commend ABC, and Suppernanny executives for selecting the letter from these two teens crying for help! I taped this episode to show my children and their mouths dropped wide open. I am still talking about it. I hope the authorities keep tabs on this slave ring. Yes, I said it, these parents think because they have a home and working that they are not abusive parents well guess what YOU ARE! I hope the girls have no regrets sending their letters because you did not set-up the situation you are in, you parents did this all by themselves. Please do not regret sending the letter no matter if your parents get mad. You did the right thing. Of course I wish the family the best but if this continues I hope for the sanity of the girls when the 17 year old turns 18 leave and do not look back. You need to get your education there is help out there for you and there is nothing your parents can do. You continue to strive to be your best self and do not turn your situation to a generational mess. Break the cycle and that starts now with the both of you. You deserve better. Your parents chose to have more children, these are not your responsibility, by the time you are able to start having your own family you will be burnt out! Stop the madness in that house. I commend you both for writing into the show and Jo you are the best it was obvious you were holding in your anger, this was very upsetting to me and my family to see

[spaz]

I was thoroughly appalled by what I witnessed on supernanny. I am a pediatric nurse and have seen many unbelievable cases in my career and the plight of these girls is right at the top.
These girls need some help!!! especially the older one. She has obviously been beaten down all of her 17 years and seemed so frail and ill.(Could she be anorexic or bulemic due to her situation or should I say her mother)Her sister, I believe, appeared stronger emotionally and will hopefully be ok
Do they have any friends? What do they do for socialization?
That mother is a disgrace to mothers everywhere!! she is extremely selfish as evidenced by her response to Jo that "this doesn't give them free reign to walk all over us"her daughter didn't disrespect her she's tired of doing her mothers job at home! Why didn't her mother pick up a broom (fitting for her) and sweep the floor....HELLO...how about being concerned for your kids!!!!!!!WHy did she have kids anyway????
I hope and pray that there is some further follow up and social services intervention in that household.
What can anyone do to help?

[DJ in Scottsdale]

I have never seen anything like this in my life.
These parents are horrible. I want to take those kids and bring them to my home and let them see what being teen agers and toddlers are about.
These parents should be visited by CPS. The parents are so selfish and clueless they should have never had one child more or less than 5.
I pray that someone follows up and I believe the Supernanny show has an obligation to follow up also.
I pray that those kids are okay. My mother always says you can see how a child feels by their eyes. The poor 14 Yr old I just want to rescue....

[Stephanie Austin]

I hope that CPS gets a call about this family. I can't believe that those parents think that that is a normal way to bring up children...why did they wait 10 years to have three more if they weren't able to raise them themselves...were they waiting until their older daughters were old enough to be indentured servants? This is just pathetic and I hope that Jo follows up but that CPS gets involved too. I just know that when the cameras leave they are going to go back to their old ways. Those poor poor girls. If the 18 year old runs away, where will that leave the younger sister...she will become the only slave.

[Stephanie Austin]

I hope that CPS gets a call about this family. I can't believe that those parents think that that is a normal way to bring up children...why did they wait 10 years to have three more if they weren't able to raise them themselves...were they waiting until their older daughters were old enough to be indentured servants? This is just pathetic and I hope that Jo follows up but that CPS gets involved too. I just know that when the cameras leave they are going to go back to their old ways. Those poor poor girls. If the 18 year old runs away, where will that leave the younger sister...she will become the only slave.

[Anonymous]

Forget all this talk about what should be done. I am calling CPS and I think that everyone else who saw this episode should as well!

[Dana, Houston, TX]

This was the most appalling show that I have seen. I do not think these people deserve to be parents. They are the most selfish parents I have ever seen. These girls are not allowed to be teenagers. These parents are beyond lazy and are expecting the girls to raise the boys. It was not the girls decision to have the boys. This is really a case of child abuse. I beleive that kids should have some responsibilities, but this is ridiculous. Jo, please check back on these girls they need someone on their side.

[AKC Clermont, Florida]

Supernanny you do such great work you are so kind to parents that are such idiots...although I must say the show with the 2 teenage girls raising their 3 brothers was distrubing...those parents are evil they really showed no emotion or regret for their actions. please please please follow up with the children they in the future. I believe the girls fear of things going back to the past is a very real fear. That is such an unhealthy environment. They can come live with me. They are in my prayers.

[stace]

I am so upset about what I saw on this episode. PLEASE have someone follow up on those two girls. They need social services to step in and help. They are in an abusive situation. PLEASE do the responsible thing and make sure those girls are safe and getting what they need in life to be healthy, happy and develop as normal teenagers.

[LMRG, ALB NY]

I am speechless and in utter disbeleif after watching this episode!!! I can't get this family's situation out of my mind...and those poor girls!! With the parent's acting like total self absorbed jack***es and the eldest daughter passing out....HELLO!! CPS and Dr Phil where are YOU!!!!!!?? I certianly hope that there is a follow up with this family as I believe that the childrens' future outlook is grim if they continue to live with their parents!!

[Mary]

My heart broke as I watched those teenage girls fighting down feelings of frustration and isolation. The older girl faints on the show, and looked anemic. The mother didn't even seem upset. I would have broken down and cried, on the way to the hospital. Jo, you did your best to rectify this problem, I wonder how long it took mom to get the girls back to the same ol. The mother was verbally abusive as well. That poor oldest girl, she had no power, no voice. This was a pyschological nightmare. I am praying today, these girls are doing well. Do you ever check up on people after?

[Marie]

I can not believe this episode. It has been several weeks since the episode and I am still deeply disturbed by what goes on in that household. It is child abuse! I need to know that these children are going to be ok. I can not stop thinking about how they need to get out of that abusive lifestyle. Please, Supernanny, give viewers an update and I feel it is your obligation, (like any teacher, or psychologists), to turn these parents in to CPS!

[Lulu]

When will Supernanny wear a seatbelt?