SuperNanny – Meet the Swanson’s
In last nights episode, Jo Frost, visited the Swanson family.
The family included:
- Vania – Mom
- Ken – Dad
- Alex – 9
- Dawson – 8
- Myca – 5
- Brandon – 4
- and Christian – 3
From the instant Super Nanny entered the Swanson home, there was a looming negative energy. You’d think with 5 boys, it would be easy to figure out where the energy was located, but this time it was between mom and dad. This negative energy was obviously causing a ripple affect and causing the boys to respond in kind.
The two oldest boys, Dawson and Alex belonged to Vania from a previous relationship/marriage. I did notice their father was never mentioned and I’m sure it was for a good reason – based on the pent up anger noted in Alex. Also noted was the lack of respect Alex had for Ken – this could be a strong indicator that Alex’s biological dad planted the anger and lack of respect and it’s spilling over onto new dad.
Jo’s first order of business was to tackle the conflict between mom and dad. Mom having filed for divorce 6 months prior and the constant threat hanging over dad’s head wasn’t helping matters. The lack of trust was thick and the anxieties were obviously high. Rather than dealing with the issues at hand, Vania and Ken were going about their day’s avoiding one another at all costs.
Some of the tips that Jo Jo shared with the Swanson family that helped get them back on track were:
- Mom and dad listed all the negatives about one another and destroyed them in a symbolic manner as to give way to a new hope for the future.
The lack of trust obviously spilled over onto the kids, so Jo Jo asked them to participate in a simple but effective exercise -
- Each child picked one of their most valuable toys and chose another sibling to care for it for three days. Sounds simple – it is! And what’s more, it worked!
Special time was shared between Alex and Ken to help build a relationship where there had been none whatsoever.
In all it was a great episode. I liked the fact that it shined a bright light on the conflicts that are common in blended families and gave ideas on how to resolve them.
In the final family update both mom and dad expressed their increased level of confidence in their parenting skills, the communication between the two of them had grown so much that now they talk about everything and Ken expressed how nice it was to no longer fear coming home from work.
Congrats to the Swanson family!
Another family healed! Way to go, Jo!
Did you happen to catch last nights episode? What were your thoughts?
I don’t think you really want to know what I thought about last night’s episode. Hmmm.. I feel a blog post coming on. But since you asked…
I do have reply to this post…
The father of the two oldest children is not a deadbeat dad and I resent that the comments are made that he is.. There mother took them out of the state where their father was and he didn’t have the resources to follow them. He does cover there medical insurance and pays child support for both children. So before throwing around statements like deadbeat dad please check the facts because there is a lot more to this story then you all know….
Before you jump on a horse lets first get the story straight. Yes their dad and I both made bad judgements. Infact I respect their dad enough to not come on and air his faults like his sister is obviously ready to do. But who doesn’t make mistakes when they’re young? I NEVER once said that he was a deadbeat dad. Other then that I will not get into on this site. And Sam you do have wrong information about “He does cover there medical insurance”. So if you want to have it out with me then take it else where but you don’t need to embarrass yourself, your brother or your nephews whom this is bound to hurt. Have a little more class then that.
To set my own record straight, I simply gave my personal “OPINION” based on how the oldest children appeared. Having two boys of my own who don’t see their father either, I can recognize the look of ’somethings missing’ in the eyes of kids with an absent parent.
Simply an observation, nothing more.
However, I do appreciate the actual persons setting the record straight.
Thank you Gayla for setting the record straight as to this was your ‘personal”OPINION”‘. However, I do think that it is wrong of you and anyone else to make a judgement call if someone is a deadbeat or not. That simply is not your place. The boys father in my opinion is NOT a deadbeat. So please leave him and his family alone, as well as mine.
I also would appreciate it if you would apologize to him for your hasty judgement when you have no clue who he is and what he is about.
I’ve removed the word ‘deadbeat’ from my post. That’s about as far as I care to take this.
I’m simply posting a review on the actual episode as I saw it and not a judgment on the entire family history. What I write is my own opinions and that’s it. Nothing more!
That’s all part of taking part in a reality show. Lots of people are going to have varied opinions. Mine is only one.
Thanks again for posting
What, we’re not allowed to make judgements about the stuff we watch on television? Look lady, if you don’t want people to judge you OR to share their opinions about how they took that particular episode then don’t agree to go on TV. You’re supposed to be able to take it – right? Were you really looking to get help for your family OR were you wanting to get “special” help via SupperNanny? What we think of you and your family is our own opinions which we are entitled to. I’m sure you’ve heard the ol’ saying “opinions are like bleepity-bleeps – everybody’s got one.” You have a lot of nerve requesting for an APOLOGY. WOW – should we bow down and salute you too? For the good of your family – you’re not supposed to care what other people think anyway, right? Ok, I think it’s time for you to get off your computer and go tend to your kids, ya think?