Supernanny Jo Frost reveals where ‘naughty step’ idea came from & insists it still works wonders for ‘aggressive’ kids
IT became a vital parenting hack for mums and dads around the world.
And now Supernanny Jo Frost has revealed how she came up with her famous ‘naughty step’ concept – and why it still works to this day.
Jo – who shot to fame in the 90s thanks to her programme and tips and tricks – spoke to Jordan Piano and Jason Heron on The Parenting Tools podcast.
And the pair, both of whom are dads, asked Jo where the idea came from, and whether she’d “still recommend it”.
“My version of a time out is modified from what we know back in the 1900s,” she said.
“Putting a child in the corner, asking them to turn their face into the corner. Humiliation.
“Children were not seen, weren’t heard.
“There was no emotional intelligence. The connection there with parent and child. I’m the parent. I’m in charge.
“I’m in control. Very authoritarian.”
But she came up with the idea of the naughty step – where a child is placed on a bottom step for a set amount of time – as a “modification” of the initial hack.
“There was no turning to the wall and no isolating the child (with the naughty step),” she said.
“The child was very present in the room or just adjacent there so they could see the rest of the family.
“And there were very specific steps that created a boundary.”
And that boundary is “most important” to create “better relationships”.
It’s also vital if you’re struggling with an “aggressive” child.
“So the idea, which basically is a timeout, my version specifically with the steps is to create a space, a healthy boundary when unacceptable behavior is being given to a parent or a sibling or anyone else,” she added.
“And that space creates a moment to diffuse this heated aggression.”
People were quick to comment on the TikTok video of the podcast interview, with one writing: “My mum watched Supernanny when I was a kid and used the same techniques when I was younger.
More parenting hacks
IF you want to make your life easier as a first-time mum, here's nine hacks you won't want to miss.
1. Routine Charts
Create visual charts for daily routines. Use pictures and stickers to make them engaging for younger children.
2. Meal Planning
Plan meals a week in advance to save time and reduce stress. Involve your children in meal prep to teach them cooking skills.
3. Toy Rotation
Keep a portion of toys stored away and rotate them periodically. This keeps playtime fresh and exciting without the need for constant new purchases.
4. DIY Cleaning Solutions
Make child-safe cleaning solutions using vinegar and baking soda. It’s effective and keeps harsh chemicals away from little hands.
5. Time-Out Jar
Create a time-out jar filled with calming activities written on slips of paper. When emotions run high, children can pick an activity to help them settle down.
6. Educational Apps
Utilise educational apps and websites to make screen time productive. Look for ones that offer interactive learning in subjects your child is interested in.
7. Command Centre
Set up a family command centre with a calendar, key hooks, and a bulletin board. It helps keep everyone organised and aware of daily schedules.
8. Emergency Kit
Keep a small emergency kit in the car with essentials like snacks, water, first aid supplies, and a change of clothes. It’s a lifesaver for unexpected situations.
9. Label Everything
Use labels for clothes, school supplies, and lunch boxes. It makes it easier to keep track of belongings, especially in shared spaces like schools.
“And trust me it works so great because I use it with my kid.
“Guess what? My kid is a well mannered, well respected child thanks thanks to Joe Supernanny.”
“The naughty step worked for my children,” another added.
“They would sit there on their own accord.
“I asked them why they were on the step and they would say, ‘Thinking’.
“This was after it was established. It gave me time to think too!”
“I used her method starting when my kids were both 18 months,” a third commented.
“It works. It really does.
“My kids are respectful and well behaved because of consistency, boundaries and a big cuddle afterwards.”
“We were always made to go and sit on the stairs, worked for us,” someone else revealed.
However, others said that they weren’t a fan of using the naughty step technique.
“Doesn’t work for neurodiverse children and is incredibly damaging,” one insisted.
“My daughter wouldn’t sit on it for a second,” another added.
“Never worked, my kids just ran upstairs,” a third sighed.