Ep 8. Sterneman Family

The show Nanny 911 is a reality TV series that centers around families with unruly children. Each episode features a different family struggling with various behavioral and disciplinary issues with their children. Season 1, episode 8 focuses on the Sterneman family.

The Sterneman family consists of Jason and Kristin, who are parents to five-year-old triplets, Ethan, Garrett and Sean. The triplets are extremely energetic and have a habit of running wild around the house, much to their parents' chagrin. The couple is at their wits' end trying to manage their kids, as they feel like they're constantly outnumbered.

The episode starts with the Nanny 911 team arriving at the Sterneman household. Nanny Stella, a veteran British nanny with over 30 years of experience in child-rearing, leads the team. She is joined by Nanny Yvonne and Nanny Deb, two other experienced nannies. The team's first step is to observe the kids and assess the situation, so they can come up with a plan of action.

In their initial assessment, the nannies notice that the triplets are in dire need of structure and routine. The kids have never been on a schedule, and their lack of routine has caused them to become restless and unruly. The nannies decide that creating a schedule will be the first step in disciplining the kids.

The nannies also observe that the Sterneman kids have too many toys and gadgets, which is contributing to their behavior. Nanny Yvonne points out that kids tend to act out when they have too many options, as it confuses them and makes them indecisive. To solve this problem, Nanny Stella proposes a toy rotation system. The toys are divided into categories and are rotated every few weeks, so the kids have fewer options and can focus on playing with what's available.

Next, the nannies decide to tackle the issue of discipline. The Sterneman parents admit that they often give in to their kids' tantrums and demands, which sets a wrong precedent. The nannies suggest a reward system, where the kids can earn stamps for good behavior and lose them for misbehaving. Once they accumulate a certain amount of stamps, they can exchange them for rewards like a trip to the park or a playdate with friends.

Another problem that the nannies notice is the lack of communication between the parents. Jason and Kristin often have different approaches to discipline, which confuses the kids. The nannies propose that the parents should have weekly meetings to discuss their parenting strategies and make sure they're on the same page.

As the days progress, the nannies work with the Sterneman family to implement the new routines and disciplines. They conduct mock drills to simulate different scenarios, such as dealing with tantrums and sibling fights. The nannies give the parents tips on how to handle these situations, so they're better equipped to handle them in real life.

Towards the end of the episode, the Sterneman family is shown to have made significant improvements. The kids are calmer and more disciplined, and there's a visible reduction in tantrums and fights. The parents are also more confident in their parenting abilities and are relieved to have the nannies' guidance.

In conclusion, the Sterneman family's episode of Nanny 911 demonstrates the importance of structure and discipline in raising children. The episode also highlights the need for communication and teamwork between parents. With the nannies' assistance, the Sterneman family was able to make significant changes to their household's dynamics and create a more harmonious environment.