The Larmer Family

The Larmer Family is the fourth episode of Season 2 of the American Supernanny show.

Episode summary
Jo visits the Larmer family who just moved to Fort Worth, Texas from Florida. Ed (35) and Judy (37) are having trouble with their 4 children: 4-year-old John, 2-year-old fraternal twins Jessica and Justin, and 11-month-old Joey.

The 3 oldest kids are acting out. They're destructive, breaking Rules everything in their house. They also don't listen and do as they're told. Their grandma, Sharon doesn't want the kids in their house because she fears they'll break something.

Jo discovers that the main problem with the family is the parents' bickering and fighting. Can Jo help the parents solve their differences and help control their out-of-control kids?

Submission Reel
This Week, Jo is still in Houston after helping The McMillions so she opens her DVD Player and we're introduced to The Larmers, Parents Ed and Judy, and their four kids, John, Fraternal Twins Jessica, and Justin and their Baby Joey. Ed works from 6:30 am to4:30 pm and because of that Judy mostly has The Kids all day. The Kids are very Destructive and whatever they see they're bound to break or destroy, they've ripped Wallpaper, Broken Slats in The Woodline's, and John especially likes Climbing The Dining Room Table and swinging The Chandelier around.

The family has recently moved to Texas from Florida to be closer to Judy's family, This is when we meet Sharon, Judy’s Mother. While shelves The Kids Dearly admits she doesn’t want them in Her House fearing they could break something. The kids don't even listen to Judy and Ed a lot of the Time. John being The Oldest is Very Dominant with his Younger Siblings and tends to target Justin a lot as he’s knocked him to The Ground Multiple Times.

Ed says when he gets home he’s the one trying to lay down The Law since The Kids are acting Crazy and says he just wants a Happy Family who likes hanging out together. Judy also yells at The Kids which to Jo is a very Stern Voice.

Observation
Pretty much as soon as observation begins, Ed is off to work. The children misbehave due to boredom. They take all the cushions off the couch, jump on/off the couch, and also dangle from the fireplace mantel. They do not seem to have many toys to play with inside the house.

Judy admits that she locks her kids in their bedrooms at bedtime. All the rooms have locks to keep kids where they need to be and keep them out of where they shouldn't be. They have a ton of toys in the backyard but they prefer Ed's mixer. The children are not allowed to play outside much because Judy is afraid that they might get dirty. Judy barks orders at the children (such as "Go pick up a toy and play with it!") instead of playing with them.

At Grandma's house, the kids get into everything. The kids however are not being interacted with and have no toys at Grandma's house, so they are left to their own devices. Grandma Sharon confesses that the thought of the kids coming over distresses her. She is already stressing out about what it will be like when they come over for Thanksgiving this year.

When Ed comes home, he plays with the kids for a while but then Ed and Judy get into an argument about how Ed lets Judy do all the work. Jo calls a time-out on this discussion due to all the swearing they are doing in the presence of their kids. Judy admits that they always have heated arguments that include cursing in front of the children.

Parents meeting
The Parent's Meeting Begins with Jo praising Judy and Ed on how they Grounded, But points out how she walked in and saw them arguing in front of the Kids where she ended up calling for a Time Out, They do admit that they were setting a Bad Example for the Kids

Jo praises them for making sure their kids are safe but scolds Judy and Ed for being overprotective. She gets them to admit that all the locks on doors are a lazy way of maintaining control. She points out that it doesn't teach the kids anything such as self-control.

She points out they have the CornerStones of a Routine because it isn't Productive since it isn't The 3 older Kids Jump on the Couch And Mess around because of Boredom.

Jo then Points out How Judy Yells at the Kids without an Authority Tone Voice, Judy admits that its easier for her to Pick the Kids up to Their Level, Jo asks her how scary that is, as she would be picked up places Two meters away from Her Mother and yelled at. If Jo was one of her Kids she would be Shaking. Judy begins to Cry after hearing this and thinks she's a Terrible Mother.

Teaching begins
When teaching begins, the family routine is introduced. It includes productive play sessions in the morning and the afternoon. Jo lets the kids fingerpaint in the backyard. Judy is apprehensive at first, but seeing how much fun her kids have, she joins in and has fun with them.

Judy admits that her mother was always so afraid of Judy and her siblings making a mess that it wasn't fun for them. Jo points out that Judy is doing the same thing with her children. Judy admits that though she wanted to be different, it was hard to break old habits. Jo speaks to Judy about her deep, harsh, tone of voice that she constantly seems to be using on her kids, and explains there are three tones of voice: A normal, calm tone, a higher-pitched tone for giving praise, and a lower, stern tone for warnings. She has Judy practice the lighter tone and praises her for how it makes her eyes sparkle and opens up her face.

Jo brings in Naughty Blocks for the 3 oldest children. John refuses to help clean up the toy room or get off Judy's lap. Judy puts him on the Naughty Block for 4 minutes.

Jo chats with Judy and her mother Sharon. Judy breaks down in tears when her mother calls her children out of control, but she is willing to have Judy bring some of their toys over to her house. Jo takes the locks off the children's bedrooms.

Jo introduces the 3 in 30 solutions: Judy and Ed reach to write down 3 issues and discuss them in 30 minutes, then they shred the paper. Jo wants them to do this every night after the kids are in bed.

DVD meeting
Teaching is now gone and Jo leaves for a few days. Judy has the kids choose toys to take to Grandma's house. Sharon now plays with the children. Everyone has fun. Judy sets up a kiddie pool for the kids but walks away to do chores while they play. The kids constantly bang on the door to get Judy's attention, and Justin stands at the door crying. Judy uses her old, military-style tone with them.

Ed is supposed to engage the kids while Judy makes dinner, but Ed makes them watch TV. Judy reminds Ed that they cannot do that. When Ed suggests painting in the backyard, Judy insists that they cannot do that either. The 3 in 30 solution turns from discussion to fight.

Reinforcement
Jo walks them through another 3 in-30 solutions. She has them write down three of their flaws. Jo introduces a memory game where she places objects from the home on a cushion, then takes two objects away while the kids hold their eyes shut. Jo then leaves the Larmer Family, confident that they will be fine.

Family Members
Ed Larmer, (35)

Judy Larmer, (37)

John, (4) (born August 1, 2000)

Jessica and Justin, (2 1/2) (born April 30, 2002)

Joey, (0.11) (born December 21, 2003)

Pop Culture

 * In One Scene Jo is seen holding a Bop-It.

Transcript
The Larmer Family/Transcript

Goofs

 * When It Looks like either John or Justin are Crying when they fall Over in the Submission, If You Look Closely. Nobody is Crying, So it is Unknown why That Crying Noise was Placed There

Events Post-Episode

 * Even after Jo helped them, Ed & Judy ended up filing for divorce.

Behind the Scenes
This was Filmed in November 2004.