Ep 6. Fernandez Family
- TVPG
- December 17, 2010
- 42 min
The episode "Fernandez Family" of season 7 of the popular parenting reality show Supernanny follows the challenges faced by the Fernandez family in managing their three children – seven-year-old Rick, five-year-old Maria, and two-year-old Cruz.
The episode starts with the parents, Maribel and Bernardo, expressing their concerns over their children's disobedience and poor behavior. They reveal that their eldest son Rick had been diagnosed with ADHD and had been struggling in school. The family is shown to live in a cramped apartment, which adds to the chaos and stress.
Supernanny, Jo Frost, arrives at the Fernandez apartment and is given a tour of the house by Maribel and Bernardo. Jo observes that the children have no set routine or schedule and are allowed free rein to do what they want. Rick is shown to have a severe problem with listening and following instructions, while Maria appears to be the dominant child of the family. Cruz, the youngest, is shown to be clingy and difficult to manage.
Jo observes the family's mealtime routine, which is chaotic and disorganized. The children fight over food, refuse to eat, and jump around the table. Jo also notes that there is no time set aside for the family to sit down and eat together.
The next challenge Jo takes on is bedtime. She observes that the children have no set bedtime and their sleeping patterns are erratic. The parents spend almost two hours putting the children to bed every night, and Cruz still sleeps in their bed.
Jo tries to establish a set bedtime routine for the children, starting with activities that are calming and relaxing. She works on teaching the family how to communicate with each other better and sets up a reward system that incentivizes good behavior.
During her time with the family, Jo also works with Rick's ADHD medication schedule and gives the parents some tips on how to manage his symptoms better.
The episode shows how Jo teaches the family to discipline the children without resorting to shouting or punishment. She introduces a system of time-out, which is used to give children a chance to calm down and reflect on their behavior. Jo also works on reinforcing positive behavior by praising the children when they follow instructions and behave well.
Another aspect of the episode deals with the children's sibling rivalry. Jo encourages the family to spend more time together as a unit, and to set aside time for individual attention for each child. She works with the children to establish boundaries and encourages the parents to listen to their children's needs and desires.
Throughout the episode, Jo works tirelessly to instill a sense of structure and routine in the family's life. She also teaches the parents how to be more involved in their children's lives and to have better communication with each other.
The episode ends with a transformed family that is more organized and united, with a set routine for meals and bedtime. The children are more disciplined, and there is less disobedience and fighting. The parents appear to be more confident and in control of their parenting tasks.
Overall, the "Fernandez Family" episode of Supernanny takes viewers on an emotional journey through the challenges faced by a family struggling to manage their children's behavior. The episode shows how Jo Frost's patience, persistence, and expertise help transform this family's lives for the better.