You might think you have the naughtiest children in the world, but you'll be counting your blessings once you've seen Super Nanny (Fridays on TVB Pearl at 8.30pm). While many people (mostly grandparents) still believe children should be seen and not heard, that's not the case these days as parents struggle to control their offspring and find a balance between work and home.
If Super Nanny Jo Frost is to be believed, kids of today are on the rampage, ruling the roost with chubby little fists of steel as they dictate to their parents what they want. But, according to Frost, 'That is unasseptable [sic] behaviour.' While Channel Hop believes it is unacceptable to pronounce unacceptable as 'unasseptable', Frost does have a point - even if she does lose some credibility for failing to take diction lessons before embarking on this successful and unique television series.
As any parent would attest, there's nothing worse than battling a toddler in the midst of a tantrum, let alone a stubborn three-year-old intent on having that chocolate bar in the supermarket half an hour before dinner time. Logic is useless and keeping your temper in check is akin to preventing Krakatoa from exploding.
This is where Frost marches in. With more than 15 years of experience as a nanny, Frost is a no-nonsense British native whose aim is to put a 'moratorium on mayhem'. As the opening spiel goes, 'She's cured thousands of tantrums and saved hundreds of families. As each new family screams for help, Super Nanny answers the call. No problem is too big; no child is too difficult. She's Jo Frost, Super Nanny.' Forget Superman, even he couldn't deal with the kids featured in this show.
This week, Frost comes to the rescue of the Wischmeyer family: dad John, mum Melora, nine-year-old Jared and the four-year-old twins from hell, Alaia and Ashlyn, whose favourite catchphrase is 'stinky butt'. Frost thunders into action, teaching the parents how to regain control of their children - and lives. She introduces her favourite weapons: the naughty corner and naughty step, shows John and Melora how to deal with the twins when they need to be disciplined, and coaches them on how to attain the respect they deserve.
The tears and tantrums that follow sorely test the grown-ups and are horrifying to watch, but you'll thank God your children are not so bad after all.