Jo Frost's Toddler Rules

November 18, 2013
Frost (Ask Supernanny), star of ABC’s Supernanny and now TLC’s Family SOS with Jo Frost, sets down the rules for raising toddlers in her latest effort, addressing such topics as “Disciplined Parenting vs. Punishing”; “The Rules for Shaping Good Behavior”; and “Taming Tantrums,” including situation, emotional, and “mock.” Though Frost takes a no-nonsense approach, she explains that discipline differs from physical punishment and strongly opposes spanking. However, according to Frost, even toddlers need to learn how to behave properly—“naughty” is defined as unacceptable, defiant behavior that a child engages in even after understanding the rules. She admits that her use of the word may ruffle a few feathers, but maintains that it’s appropriate to explain to a child that an action is wrong without judging his character. In addition to the “Naughty Step” (a modified time out), she presents a wealth of other pithy techniques, many brilliantly named (“Off the Hip Technique,” “Roaming Technique,” “The Chimes Technique”). Frost gives parents strategies to use in almost any situation, called “SOS” (Step Back, Observe, Step In), which she applies in sections covering sleep, food, socialization, early learning, and good behavior. Pragmatic but compassionate, Frost proves once again that she has an extraordinary gift for pinpointing and resolving the struggles of parents and children. Agent: Yfat Reiss Gendell, Foundry Media.

January 15, 2014
The Supernanny delivers a guidebook to aid parents with rambunctious toddlers. With more than two decades of experience as a London nanny, Frost (Jo Frost's Confident Baby Care, 2008, etc.) has seen just about every kind of behavioral issue a young child can produce and has developed certain strategies that effectively nip bad behavior in the bud. She offers parents of preschoolers and older children five basic guidelines to follow to ensure a child grows "into a happy, healthy, productive adult with good morals, healthy boundaries, and the ability to function well in the world." By meeting the physical, nutritional and sleep needs of a child, as well as providing an environment that encourages brain development and setting clear rules for family behavior, parents can eliminate most, if not all, potential problems. Using a method called SOS, Frost recommends a parent Step back from the situation at hand, Observe what is happening, and then Step in and administer the appropriate resolution. Using clear-cut examples that are common issues with young children, the author provides parents with ready-made solutions that have proven effective, eliminating the need to second-guess a decision. She covers sleeping problems (getting a child to sleep in his own bed or what to do when he cries in the night), food and eating issues (refusing to eat certain foods, establishing good table manners, going out in public with toddlers), the need for safety and interacting with other children. She also suggests activities to stimulate gross and fine motor skills and recommends basic good behavior rules that are the accepted norms for human interaction. A full chapter devoted to handling temper tantrums is an added bonus for parents in crisis mode. Common-sense and practical advice on raising young children by an expert in the field.

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Starred review from March 1, 2014

The indomitable Frost (Supernanny) shares both her wisdom and experience for parents of toddlers. The five rules, while hardly new, are presented in her charming and conversational tone and provide not only a foundation for sanity but sure scaffolding to greater learning and happier parenting. Sleeping, eating, learning, going out, and behavior are all outlined in detail, and she helps parents determine which areas are problematic and the order in which they should be tackled. Their interrelatedness are examined, and she explains how "if you don't provide healthy food, restful sleep, great socialization, and stimulation, behavior problems will increase. And if you don't deal effectively with those issues you will have trouble with bedtimes, eating, getting along with others, and sitting still long enough to learn." Frost is a strong advocate for appropriate discipline, arguing that those raised without proper limits and boundaries ultimately become people without "respect, empathy, and compassion for others." VERDICT Frost is a favorite with many, and her engaging manner carries into her written work. She includes rich advice for navigating the toddler years, which are a challenging yet hugely influential parenting period.

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