Blended families and bad behavior

[SupernannyTeam]

Supernanny's back this Friday, 23rd October, in a brand new season beginning with the unhappily blended Colier family. Find out more about the show, and read on for some ways to redirect bad behavior when it happens in a blended home...

A new family set-up brings its own problems but if a child persistently misbehaves, you’ll have to do something about it. “Discipline should be down to the birth-parent if possible,” says Supernanny’s relationship expert Paula Hall. “And if that can’t happen, you have to make sure that both adults in the house speak to the child together so she can see a united front exists.” Paula suggests some keys to maintaining discipline:

• No overt favoritism Children are very hot on things being fair.

• Be united Children need to know that the adults support each other, even on difficult decisions.

• Be patient It will take time for everyone to adjust

• Have house rules which apply to everyone so the kids will know what’s expected of them even when they’re only visiting for a weekend.

• Spend time with your kids on your own Let them know they’re still special to you and haven’t been ‘replaced’

• Don’t spoil a child even if you feel guilty about the break-up of his family.

Read more about blended family parenting.