The Wischmeyer Family/Transcript

Opening
Announcer: Tonight, on Supernanny:  Jo meets the Wischmeyers, whose twin daughters torture their parents and bully their brother, leaving their stay-at-home, working mom at the end of her rope. Equipped with over 15 years of childcare experience, Jo has two weeks to transform the terrible tots and bring order to the family.

(Opening credits play)

Submission Reel
The taxi drives through a barren, snowy landscape.

Jo: Let's take a look and see what family we've got here. (Opens DVD player)

John: (sits down beside a woman on a sofa) Hi, we're the Wischmeyers. I'm John, and this is my wife Melora. (Younger photo of John and Melora is shown.)

Melora: I was a marketing rep for a company. I ended up working for John, and we started dating. (Jared reads to the twins on the couch.) 

John: We have three children. Jared is 9. And then our twin daughters, Ashlyn and Alaia, are four.

Melora: Alaia is my youngest twin. (Footage of Alaia screaming in Melora's face at the dining table, then trying to get away from her mom on the couch)

Alaia (very sharply to Melora on the couch): Let GO of me, ya MOM! (Struggles with Melora as she appears to try clipping Alaia's fingernails. Ashlyn sits near them at the coffee table, covering her ears.) Mom!

Melora: She screams. (Alaia slumps in a chair, screaming and kicking at Melora) She kicks.

Melora (to Alaia in chair): Alaia!

Alaia: No, I CAN'T! (In Submission Reel, John and Melora exchange a wry glance. Footage of Alaia hitting various family members)

Melora: She hits. (Slo-mo of Alaia throwing a pillow in the living room. Jo takes a deep breath, then looks at the camera.)

Jo: Oh, dear.

Alaia (standing on dining table, to Melora): I'll give you something to cry about!

Melora: We have more problems with her than we do with Ashlyn. (Ashlyn swings herself from a DVD rack and blows a long raspberry into the air.) Ashlyn is the older twin. She doesn't want to go to sleep at night. (Ashlyn angrily cries in her bedroom.)

Melora (to Ashlyn in bedroom): Now go to sleep, I'll lay [sic] down with you.

Ashlyn (crying): No!

Melora: She always has an excuse to get out of bed.

Melora (to Ashlyn in bedroom): Lie down.

Ashlyn: Pee pee.

Melora: Then she starts throwing, really a pretty good fit. (Ashlyn sobs loudly as Melora carries back to her room.)

Alaia (covering her ears): QUIET!! QUIET!!!! (Jo looks at the camera in amused amazement, brows raised and jaw dropped.)

Jo (pointing at DVD player): I can't believe what I'm seeing. (Jared wanders into the living room.)

Melora: Jared feels the girls get more attention than him. (Melora holds a crying twin. Jared sits alone in the living room.) Jared says he feels left out.

Alaia: Jared said "Ha ha" to me!

Jared: Did not!

Alaia: Did too.

Melora (to Jared, very mildly): Do you want to go to your room? (Jared goes into his messy bedroom and turns on the bedroom light. Jo shakes her head in confusion at this footage.)

John: I work away from home, quite a lot. (Melora stands alone in the kitchen.) So I rely on Melora to handle the children throughout the day.

Melora (at computer, as phone rings): You need to turn that down. (Starts to answer phone)

Melora (in Submission Reel): I work from home. And I thought if I worked from home, they'd have mommy time, but obviously, that doesn't work. (Footage of Melora walking around the house, taking care of twins and doing other things while talking into her phone headset. Alaia defiantly shakes her arms at Melora as she tries to get her dressed.)

Melora (to Alaia, interrupting her own phone call): Unh-UH!

Melora (in Submission Reel): Sometimes I feel I can't do it all. I just can't. It's not working. I feel like in every way in my life, my kids are controlling me.

Ashlyn and Alaia (dancing and waving their arms): Nah-na, nah-na, boo, boo!

Melora: It makes me a nervous wreck. (A stressed-out Melora is slumped back in a living room chair. She stares moodily at the ceiling, rubbing her left eye.) Supernanny, I'm exhausted. I am at my wit's end, and I really need your help. We need your help. (Jo closes DVD player.)

Jo: Wischmeyers, you really do need my help. And I'm on my way.

Observation
The taxi arrives at the Wischmeyer Family home. Jo knocks on the front door. Melora opens it.

Jo: Hello!

Melora: Supernanny!

Jo: Pleased to meet you!

Melora: Hi! I'm Melora. (They shake hands.)

Jo: I'm Jo Frost, pleased to meet you.

Melora: This is Ashlyn.

Jo: Hello, Ashlyn! Shake my hand? (They shake hands.)

Melora (interview): I thought Jo would be really a kind of mean person? But when she walked through the door it was not that impression at all. My first impressions of Jo were very good.

John (holding Alaia): Hi, I'm John.

Jo: Hi, John! (They shake hands.) Pleased to meet you! Jo.

John: This is the other twin, Alaia.

Jo: Hi, Alaia. Pleased to meet you! (They shake hands.) How are you?

Melora: Our son Jared's at school, so you'll get to meet him later.

Jo: That'd be fantastic. Well, guys, I'm here to take mental notes, and to observe you guys as a family, and I know you've got some issues that need to be addressed, but we'll get to the bottom of that, and resolve those. If you can just carry on as normal, and then I can step back and watch you.

Observation begins
Jo sits in the family room. Melora sits at her computer desk, getting ready to work. Alaia and Ashlyn are hanging out by the desk.

Jo: So you work on the computer a full day.

Melora: Yes.

Alaia: Mom--

Jo: And then you're trying to keep the girls occupied.

Melora (takes a long pause, with an embarrassed nod): Yeah.

Jo (interview): Not only does Melora look after the children, but she also has a full-time marketing job that she does at home, too.

Melora (to Alaia): Sh! Don't even think about it. (The phone rings.) Can I take this call?

Alaia: No.

Melora: Why?

Alaia: 'Cause.

Melora: You need to be quiet.

Working from home
Footage of the twins running wild around the house while Melora is working and the phone keeps ringing. The footage is clearly from at least two different days. In some footage, the twins are wearing colorblock smocks and pink tights. In other footage, the twins are wearing cream-colored sweaters and tights with pleated plaid skirts.

They climb up pantry shelves, fight, slide down the stairs and do other wacky stuff. Jo smiles at the camera.

Alaia, standing on the sofa, swings a pillow at Melora while she's at her desk on the phone.

Melora: 2378-- (While on phone, points at Alaia and mouths, "Get down!")

More wacky footage, interspersed with footage of Melora grooming the children while talking on the phone. Alaia swats at Melora's hand.

Melora: Ah, ah! (Jo purses her lips at the camera.) 

Alaia waves a large feather in Melora's face while she's on the phone.

Melora: Oh, no. (Bats the feather away)

Alaia leans over the back of an easy chair.

Melora: Alaia, stop it!

Yet still more hectic footage of the twins running around.

Melora (on phone): Just one second, please. (The girls continue to goof off and run up the stairs.) Ashie, are you all right?

Ashlyn: The toaster fell! (Melora speeds into the kitchen. Ashlyn picks up the broken toaster.)

Melora: Why do you have the toaster out?!

Ashlyn: Because I wanted to have these. (Holds up a Pop Tart) A Pop Tart.

Melora: Oh. My GOD! What in the world? All right-- (Takes toaster from Ashlyn)

Jo (to camera): She's going in circles.

Melora (interview): I'm an overachiever. I just feel like I'm in "Go" mode all the time. I feel terrible, because I'm working so much, and because I'm not spending enough time with them.

Melora (cleaning up mess on kitchen floor): We made a major mess.

Ashlyn (at kitchen counter): 'Cause you were on the--

Melora: I'm always on the phone, Ashlyn. That's my job!

Jo (interview): Melora is a woman who was stretched thin, that had taken on a full-time job, and was trying to manage three children. And that is just impossible.

Melora (looking at toaster): I think you broke my toaster. (Ashlyn slaps the countertop and gently punches her own face in frustration.)

Alaia's disrespectful behavior
Alaia: Give me my pencil.

Melora: No. When you go in the room and mind me... (Alaia pushes at Melora as Melora takes her paper away.)

Alaia: You're gonna rip the paper.

Jo (to camera, very quietly): Cheeky madam!

Melora: You're gonna go to timeout.

Alaia: Let go!

Melora: No.

Jo (to camera): Mom's struggling... (Observes Melora struggling to hold Alaia on bed, as Alaia hits and kicks)

Melora: Do not hit me! Are you listen— Well, how can you listen when you're screaming?

Alaia: Ah! (Punches at Melora in living room) Let go!

Melora: Stop it. (Back in bedroom, Alaia slaps at Melora's hand.) NO!

Melora (interview): Alaia would lash out at me, or hit me, or kick me.

Melora: No-- You're not gonna smack-- (Alaia continues to slap at Melora's hand.) Oh, no, I wanna cry. Alaia! (Looks up at Jo.) And there's this.

Alaia: Let go!

Jo (interview): Alaia refuses to listen to her mom. And Melora ends up being kicked in the stomach or slapped in the face. It's just appauling to see a child behave that way. It's outrageous!

Alaia: Stinky butt! (She stands very calmly in the middle of the family room, wagging her head mockingly at Melora, who is trying to focus on her work at the computer.) Stinky butt, stinky butt! Na-na na-na boo-boo!

Melora: This is not working, not while I'm working. (Gets up and leaves room) I can tell you that right now. (Alaia blows a raspberry at her mom, then locks herself in the bathroom. Melora storms up to the bathroom door.) You open the door NOW! (Melora carries a crying Alaia out of the bathroom. Alaia screams as Melora places her on the sofa.)

Alaia: Na-na na-na boo-boo. (Melora wipes tears from her eyes as she continues to work at the computer and tries to ignore Alaia's taunts.) Na-na na-na boo-boo!

Melora (unable to concentrate, throws her hands up in the air and turns to Jo): You know what? I don't know what to do. I'll be honest here, I don't know what to do. Because (crying) I have a boss here that tells me to get on the phone, or I'm gonna get fired, and I have kids that are totally out of control-- (Turns back to the computer and tries to compose herself, gets back to typing)

Announcer: Coming up, on Supernanny: When Jared comes home from school, the twins take aim, but Jared takes the blame. And Jo gives her take on the girls. When Supernanny returns.

Jared arrives
In the front yard, Melora welcomes Jared home from school. Jo steps forward to shake Jared's hand.

Jo: Hi, pleased to meet you!

Melora: Jared, this is the nanny--

Jo (interview): That afternoon, Jared came home from school. And it wasn't long before Alaia came into his room and started playing cards.

In Jared's bedroom, Alaia sneaks a deck of cards off Jared's nightstand and leaves.

Jared: Hold on! (He jumps off his bed and chases after Alaia. Melora sits at the computer working, unaware of what's going on.)

Alaia: Get off! (Jo enters the living room. Jared sits on the floor, surrounded by scattered cards.)

Jo: What's going on here? (Jared picks up his cards while Alaia skips and stomps around him, sticking out her tongue.)

Jared: She threw all my cards on the floor? (Sounds like he might cry) Now I've gotta pick them all up.

Melora (on the phone): Hello?

Jo: What happens when your sister's-- She just threw all your cards on the floor, and takes your stuff? What does Mommy may do about it?

Jared (bitterly): Nothing. (Ashlyn starts playing a recorder.)

Melora (from other room, still working): Jared, quit doing that.

Jared: I'm not! It's Ashlyn. And Alaia just threw all my cards on the floor. (To Jo) Did you hear what Mom just said? "Jared, quit that"? And it was really... (Gestures to Ashlyn)

Jo: It was really Ashlyn.

Jo (interview, interspersed with footage of Melora working): Melora, she really weren't listening, and that was very disheartening. Because it shows Jared that his sisters can do exactly what they want to him, and there's no consequences.

Alaia: Fool! Fool! Fool! (Jared gets up from the living room floor, looks for the source of the verbal abuse. Alaia peeks over a chair arm.) Stinky butt! (Jared leaps across the room to land on the chair.)

Jared: Shut up!

Melora (from other room): Hey, Jared! Don't use that word!

Alaia (running to stairwell): He-- He keeps saying "Shut up" to me. (Melora comes upstairs.)

Melora: OK. I'm still working. And I don't wanna use the word "Shut up" again. (To Jared) Do you wanna go to your room? Seriously. (Jared leaves the room.)

Jo (interview): Jared hardly said a word, and Melora sent him to his bedroom. I mean, this was so unfair.

Jo knocks on Jared's bedroom door. Jared opens it.

Jo: Hi. May I come in? (They sit on Jared's bed together.) You know when you speak to Mommy and John, do they listen to you?

Jared: Sometimes they're so busy and I try to talk to them and they're just like, "Go Jared, I have to go take care of some junk."

Jo: So what do you do then? Do you take care of it yourself? '

Jared (after a long pause): Yeah.

Jo (interview): I think Jared in a way, has kind of given up. (Jo leans across the bed to hug Jared.) He has no voice in what he feels, because he knows what the result will be. That every time he voices his opinion, it's his bedroom where he's gonna end up.

Jo: It's really important that you always tell Mommy what's going on (points at his chest) in here. OK? (Points at his head) And in here. And how you're feeling.

Bedtime
The pyjama-clad twins dash about the house excitedly. John makes his way up the stairs.

John: Guess who's home?

Melora: Daddy's home.

John: Hi, sweetie. (To Jo) Hi.

Jo: Hi.

Alaia (as John picks her up): Hold me!

Jo: So, Dad comes home...

Melora: And we'll try and get them into bed. (Melora, John and the girls sit at the table.) You guys, tell Daddy night-night.

Ashlyn (crying): No! Mommy... (Cries more. Melora carries a wailing, kicking Ashlyn downstairs. John follows with a calm Alaia in his arms. Title card reads, "8:00 p.m. - Bedtime.")

Jo (interview): When I was observing the family through bedtime, John and Melora both went downstairs to put Ashlyn and Alaia to bed, but the girls were having none of it.

John and Melora put the twins in bed. Ashlyn jumps around on her knees, crying.

Melora (interview): Bedtime around our house is hard. Alaia's calm at night, and Ashlyn is defiant.

Ashlyn (crying): I don't want to! (Title card reads, "30 minutes later.")

Melora: You have to.

Ashlyn: I want you to lay [sic] with me! No...NO!

Melora: I will lay [sic] with her. (Lies down next to Ashlyn in bed)

Melora (interview): Ashlyn just threw a horrendous fit, that I get in bed, so I gave in and got in bed.

In bed, Melora strokes Ashlyn's hair. Ashlyn continues to wail and sob.

Jo (interview): Melora's trying just about everything to get those girls to sleep. But getting into bed with them is only going to make things worse!

Jared stands alone in the living room. Title card reads, "45 minutes later."

John (interview): It's been four days since I've got to spend time with my wife, and I feel like I'm single. And you know, no one to share my time with in the evening.

Melora (to girls in bed): You're fine.

Jo makes a goofy quizzical face at the camera. Jo joins John in the living room. Title card reads, "1 hour later."

Jo: But how's that make you feel inside, really, I mean, that your two little girls are still up and your wife's exhausted?

John: It affects her and I enormously. It affects all of our lives, as far as our marriage-- She'll go in there and lay down, she'll go to sleep. Then 4 o'clock comes, and I go to work, you know? All of a sudden it's Saturday again, and that's how the whole week will go by.

John comes in to check on Melora and the twins in bed.

Jo (to camera): Now John's come to tuck all three girls into bed. The two girls, and his wife. (Title card reads, "2 hours later" in the girls' bedroom.)

Jo (interview): Eventually, after time, Melora fell asleep on the girls' bed, and they were still awake. So they moved on to Dad, and they started asking for juice and everything else they could possibly think of.

Alaia: Want two glasses of milk and turn up the heat, Dad. (Jo shakes her head. John does, too.)

John: Got a long night, I think.

Parents meeting
Jo (interview): When I first arrive at a family, I take mental notes, and I just watch the dynamics between parents and their children. What I like to do next is to sit down and have a meeting and discuss the issues that I feel need addressing.

Jo: Melora and John, I've observed your wonderful family, so why don't we sit down and have a talk about it?

Melora: OK. (The three walk to the dining table.)

Melora (interview): I expected Supernanny to be very open and honest with us, with me. And I hope she is, because I'm here to learn. Help me, please! (Jo, Melora and John sit down at the dining table. Title card reads, "Parents meeting.")

Jo: Can I first say to the pair of you, what beautiful children you have?

John: Thanks.

Melora: Thank you.

Jo: They're cheeky monkeys, but you guys are struggling. (John and Melora nod in agreement.) I can't overemphasize that word, "struggle," because it is what I see when I walk into this house. The discipline in this house has me very concerned. When I watch Alaia's behavior, I cannot believe that she kicks you, that she yells and screams and slaps you in the face, and you tolerate that. I'll move on to bedtime. Melora, you end up going in with the girls to sleep. They put you to bed! Jared-- He's a very smart boy who likes to talk and voice his opinion. Yet when he does, he's disciplined for it! You get so irate, that you end up saying, "Go to your room! Time out! You're instigating trouble." And yet, all he was doing, was voicing his opinion. For him to stand up, and be able to be counted for, in this family, is for him to be able to have a voice. And express himself. Why do you both not allow him to do that?

John: I don't know.

Melora: Jared and I are close. So I'd like it to continue to be close.

John: For my part, likewise. I know we are.

Jo: For me, there's a root problem here. And that problem is, Melora, you work a full-time job at home. And yet you're trying to bring up your family. And it's not working. And both you and your children are suffering for it.

Melora: I'm gonna cry.

Jo (rubbing Melora's arm): Hey! It's OK, Melora. (Melora cries.) It's OK. It's healthy that as adults, we have our own fulfillment. There's no reason why you can't have both. But it's finding that balance. And I'm here to work with you guys so that you have a dynamic family that works for the pair of you. Are you willing to get down with me, and we'll do it? Can we change things? Be 100 percent in?

John: Absolutely.

Melora: Yeah.

Melora (interview): Jo hit on some really heavy issues with me. It's been a very emotional show. But I feel like working from home was the perfect thing for me. I could do the best of both worlds, I could be a Supermom, and I could be a career woman, and-- (Sighs) But obviously, it's not working.

Announcer: Coming up, on Supernanny: Jo teaches the Wischmeyers how to dish out the discipline. But neither twin is taking orders. When Supernanny returns.

Teaching begins
Jo enters the Wischmeyer home. Melora and John greet her from the kitchen.

Jo (interview): On teaching day, I go into the routine, and that routine is a schedule for the family, so that they're more organized.

Jo: I've brought you something.

John: It's a schedule.

Jo: It is. It will balance out spending time with the children and at the same time (to Melora) it will give you your fulfillment so you can work and spend quality time with the kids as well. OK? So let's put it up.

Household routine
Jo: OK. This is gonna be your routine. Where I've placed the red circles here, it's where you're working. And that is roughly six hours. And it also means, from 4:15 right the way down to 8 o'clock where you're spending time with all three of the children. Which is important because you need that balance.

Melora (interview): I can cut my work down. I can play with my kids. And it's gonna all be better.

Jo: So, are we all up and ready to start the new family routine?

John: Yes.

Melora: Yep.

Jo: OK. Good. Let's start, then!

Jo (interview): After I've established a routine with the family, I then go through the disciplinary areas with them.

John, Melora and twins sit on the family room sofa. Ashlyn is wearing a cowgirl outfit.

Jo: So, household rules: No kicking. No biting. (Alaia covers her ears.) No yelling. Or slapping Mummy (Jo mimes slapping her own face) in the face. Because that behavior is not acceptable. (Alaia stares daggers at Jo. Ashlyn ignores Jo, looks at her lap.) You hear me, Ashlyn? (Now Ashlyn is also covering her ears, but she looks up at Jo.) Alaia, can you hear what Jo-Jo's saying?

Melora (to Ashlyn): Are you listening? (Ashlyn shakes her head, buries her face in her hands, about to burst into tears.) I don't think they want--

Alaia (in loud singsong, with fingers in her ears): Can't hear you! Can't hear you!

Jo: OK. So, Melora and John, when you see the behavior that's not acceptable, you give them a warning. In a low-toned voice. With eye contact. "Please stop that behavior. It is not acceptable." Secondly, if they carry on with behavior, I want you to come down to their level and say, "That behavior is not acceptable. Now I want you to go and stand in the Naughty Corner." (Alaia continues to plug her ears, with a very grim, determined look on her face.)

Melora (interview): I think the Naughty Corner for Alaia is going to be a challenge. Because she's very stubborn. And I just don't know that she's gonna stay there.

Alaia and the Naughty Corner
Jo (interview): Later that afternoon, it was naptime. And John asked Alaia to take a nap.

John: Alaia?

Alaia (bawling): I don't wanna take a nap!

John: Now, listen, that's enough.

Alaia: No! I don't wanna take a nap!

Jo: Alaia? Alaia, can you get down from the stool, please? Look at me, Alaia. I'm talking to you. Daddy has said that you have to take a sleep. (Alaia turns her back on Jo.) Alaia? (Jo touches Alaia's back. Alaia starts stamping her feet and crying.) Alaia. (Jo turns Alaia back around to face her. Alaia sits on the floor to avoid looking at Jo, and continues to scream.) Alaia, if you don't listen to Jo-Jo, you're going to have to go in the Naughty Corner. (Title card reads, "NAUGHTY CORNER TECHNIQUE - Always give a warning.")

Jo and John walk a continually screaming Alaia to the Naughty Corner.

Jo (to John): But what I want you to do, is say, "You were not listening, and I want you to go to the Naughty Corner, please." (Alaia lets out a huge scream at Jo's last statement. Title card reads, "STEP 1: Come down to child's level.") Low-tone voice. Low-tone voice.

John: Alaia. Alaia.

Jo: Low-tone your voice and give her eye contact.

John: OK. We don't-- You're not listening. (Alaia screams. Title card reads, "STEP 2: Make eye contact.")

Alaia: NOOOOOOOOOOO!

John: You're not gonna act like this. (Title card reads, "STEP 3: Use authoritative voice.") So you've got four minutes in the Naughty Corner. (John picks up Alaia and carries her to the Naughty Corner.)

Alaia: NOOOOOOOOOOO!

Jo: Follow it through, John. Follow through.

Alaia: No. No! (John places her in the Naughty Corner. Title card reads, "STEP 4: Send child to Naughty Corner.")

John: Do not get out of here.

Alaia: NO!! (Cries)

Jo: Walk away. Walk away, John.

John joins Melora in the kitchen. From the Naughty Corner, Alaia summons forth her mightiest scream yet. In the corner, Alaia screams and angrily jumps up and down.

Jo (interview): She kicked up a fuss, and she started stamping her feet, and screaming.

Alaia: NOOOOO! (Stands up) And I don't want to stand in the corner! (Leaves the room, enters a bedroom and closes the door.)

Jo: Low-tone voice, OK, John? (John approaches the bedroom door.) Eye contact, come down to her level. (Alaia lies curled up on the floor, screaming. John stands over her, unsure what to do.)

Alaia: NO!

Jo: Take her by the hand! It's discipline. That's all it is. (John returns Alaia to the Naughty Corner.)

John (interview): When I disciplined Alaia, she surprised me with her rage and level of tantrum. I'd never experienced that. When Alaia behaves that way, um, it almost makes you feel like a failure as a parent.

Alaia (swatting at John): NO! UGH!!! (She presses her face into the Naughty Corner. Title card reads, "Leave child in Naughty Corner for 1 minute per year of age.")

Jo: It's all right. It's all right. (Rubs John's shoulder.)

John: It's OK, I was just-- I just wonder, how- I mean, what-- What did we do to get to this point?

John (interview): I don't think I shed a tear in 10 years, and I teared up, up there, and I think it was just all the emotions, all together.

Jo: She doesn't love you any less.

John: You're right. It's just hard...Hard to...watch.

Jo: John. She's staying in the corner. (John nods.) She's still in the corner.

John: Yeah. It's working.

Alaia (still facing the corner, sounding more sad than angry): I don't want to stand in the corner! (Title card reads, "4 minutes later.")

Jo: Now what I'd like you to do, 'cause her minutes are up, is to go over to her, and say to her, "I want an apology." OK?

John: OK. (Joins Alaia in the Naughty Corner) Alaia?

Jo: Tell her to turn around.

John: Turn around and tell me you're sorry. So you apologize, tell me you're sorry.

Alaia: Sorry?

John: OK, give me a hug. (Alaia hugs John. Title card reads, "FINAL STEP: Get child to apologize.")

Jo: Well done, John. That's fantastic.

John (interview): I think I made it through one of the roughest parts of having control again. But I'm happy. It worked.

Jared and the Thought Box
Jo (interview): That afternoon, Jared came home from school. Jared doesn't always get the chance to express to his parents how important his feelings are. So I brought in a Thought Box for him.

Jo, Melora and Jared sit at the kitchen table with the Thought Box.

Jo: Anytime he has a thought-- Whether it be happy, or sad, or an idea, or something that he wants to share-- That he write it on the paper, fold it, and put it into the box. And then every evening, Melora, I'd like you to sit down once the girls are in bed and say, "Hey, let's talk about what you've written down." What do you think of that, Jared?

Jared: Good.

Jo: Would that be a good idea?

Jared: Uh huh!

Jo: To Mom-- Tell Mom why you think it might be a good idea.

Jared: Because I can talk to you without having to interrupt the girls.

Melora: I think it's a great idea.

Bedtime
Jo (interview): Sleep time is a big issue 'cause there is no routine. And Melora, she sleeps between the girls. When they fall asleep, Mom's already been asleep for an hour.

Jo: When it's time to tuck them in, hugs, and kisses, and say goodnight.

Melora: OK.

Jo: And then, come out of the bedroom. If the children then come out of the bedroom, I want you then to say, "It's bedtime, darling." Bring them in by the hand, tuck them back into bed, and then go back outside again. So, both say goodnight to the children, and go back out.

Melora: Goodnight, Alaia, I love you.

John: Goodnight. (Kisses Alaia. Title card reads, "STAY IN BED TECHNIQUE - STEP 1: Say goodnight, tuck child in bed.")

Jo: Goodnight, darling.

Ashlyn: Daddy!

John: I will tuck you in and give you a kiss, and it's over. It's nighttime.

Ashlyn: No. I don't wanna go night-night.

John: It is. Get in.

Melora (interview): Bedtime would be wonderful if she could help us with that. It's tiring to do that every single night.

Jo, Melora and John sit in the family room.

Jo: The first time you said, "Goodnight darling, it's time for bed." OK?

Ashlyn emerges from the bedroom, screaming. Title card reads, "1st time out of bed - 2 minutes later."

Jo (to Melora): "It's evening. Time for bed, darling." (Melora goes to Ashlyn. Title card reads, "STEP 2: Say goodnight, put child back into bed.")

Ashlyn: No, Mommy, I want you to lay [sic] with me!

Melora: OK. It's time for bed.

Alaia (very cranky): She wants you to lay with her! (Melora tucks Ashlyn back into bed.)

Ashlyn: Mommy, lay with me! (Melora exits the room and closes the door.) LAY WITH ME!!!! Lay with me, lay with me!

Title card reads, "2nd time out of bed - 6 minutes later." Ashlyn hops out of bed and opens the bedroom door.

Ashlyn (very purposefully, as if she thinks this idea can't fail): Mom! If you don't lay with us, Dad's going to!

Jo: Ignore that. The second time, when they come out, just say "It's bedtime." (Melora goes to the bedroom. Ashlyn scampers back into the room. Title card reads, "STEP 3: Say bedtime, and tuck child in.")

Ashlyn: Mommy, I want you to lay with me!

Melora: It's bedtime. (Leaves room)

Ashlyn: Lay with me! Lay with me! MOMMY!! (Melora closes door.)

Ashlyn gets out of bed again. Title card reads, "3rd time out of bed - 10 minutes later."

Jo: The third time, you say nothing. (Melora returns to the bedroom. Title card reads, "STEP 4: Say nothing, put child back in bed.")

Ashlyn: Lay with me! Lay with me! No, lay with me! Aah! (Melora closes door and Ashlyn pulls it back open as she walks away. She jumps up and down and makes various crying noises at Melora as she returns to the sofa.)

Jo: 'Cause she cannot believe you're being so consistent, she's waiting to see when you'll give in. (Melora nods.)

Title card reads, "4th time out of bed - 13 minutes later." Ashlyn throws a cloth out the door. She blows a raspberry into the air. Wacky music plays in the background. A blanket gets thrown out the bedroom door. John shakes his head.

Title card reads, "5th time out of bed - 16 minutes later." Melora carries Ashlyn back to the bedroom. Ashlyn comes out and starts knocking DVDs off the rack beside the bedroom door.

Jo: Get yourself out of the room. And that door's left ajar, all right? (John nods.)

Title card reads, "6th time out of bed - 18 minutes later." John puts Ashlyn back into bed.

Title card reads, "7th time out of bed - 23 minutes later."

Jo: You may find yourself doing this 50 times.

John: Right. I can see that.

Title card reads, "8th time out of bed - 26 minutes later." John struggles to pick up a squirming Ashlyn off the floor and put her into bed.

Jo: Consistency. It's the key.

Title card reads, "9th time out of bed - 29 minutes later."

Jo (interview): John and Melora must continue to ignore Ashlyn and keep putting her back into bed. This will eventually work. And Ashlyn will end up falling asleep.

Title card reads, "10th time out of bed - 34 minutes later."

Ashlyn: I'm having a bad night. I won't ever get to go to sleep! So you better just calm down!

Jo: Calm down. Don't let them overwhelm you.

Title card reads, "11th time out of bed - 38 minutes later." Ashlyn hangs off the bedroom doorknob, screaming. Melora gets up to put Ashlyn back in bed.

Jo: Keep going.

Melora (interview): I think the toughest part for me was hearing Ashlyn crying for me to sleep with her. I felt like I was almost mistreating her. Honestly, I just want to go lay [sic] down with them.

Jo: They're tired.

John: In little bits.

Jo: I'll say one thing-- (To Melora) You're not laying [sic] there between them!

Melora: I know! (Silence ensues. John listens with a look of confusion on his face.) I feel like it's working!

John: Yeah.

Melora (as night-vision footage of the twin's bedroom plays): Ashlyn's getting quieter! Do you notice that?

John: M-hm.

Melora (interview): After 45 minutes, they were sound asleep. (Title card reads, "45 minutes later," over night-vision footage of the girls sleeping in bed.) And everything was well. And they did not get up in the night and they did not come into our room. Which was really nice.

John: That's a big turn for them.

Melora: Yeah. It's huge. (John and Melora hug.)

John: Thank you.

Melora: We don't do this very often, do we?

John: We never have. (Jo beams, unable to stop laughing silently in her joy.)

Melora (interview): It worked. I mean, the technique worked.

Jo: You've done well!

John: It's great.

Melora: It's like, wow!

John: A major milestone. (Melora cheers silently, waving her arms in the air. Jo laughs and hugs Melora.)

Melora (interview): The bed technique is wonderful. I think it should be manually written, and handed out at birth to every mother and dad in the world.

Teaching ends
The next morning, Jo and the Wischmeyers gather in the living room to say goodbye.

Jo: OK, Jo-Jo's going now! I'm gonna come back in a couple of days, so take care. (Hugs Melora)

Melora: Thank you.

Melora (interview): I wish Jo could stay all the time! I think John and I both do.

Jo (hugging Alaia): Mmm! Bye-bye! See you soon. (To Ashlyn) Give me a hug! Give me a hug! (Ashlyn jumps into Jo's arms. Jo reaches out to Jared.) Take care, darling. (Kisses Jared on the cheek. Turns to John.) Take care, John.

John: Thank you for everything. (They hug)

Jo: You're welcome. Take care. (To everyone) Bye! See you all soon! Be good now!

Jo leaves. The taxi drives away.

Announcer: Coming up, on Supernanny: With Jo out of the house, the twins turn into little monsters. But Melora takes it out on Jared. When Supernanny returns.

Family test run
Jo (interview): John and Melora are gonna get on with it, and get those techniques underneath their belts, but little do they know, I will be watching them!

Jo goes to the undisclosed living room, sits on the brown sofa, and turns on the DVD player.

Jared remains unheard
Alaia and Ashlyn play in Jared's bedroom while he sits at his desk. Alaia leans in toward him.

Jared: You know you're not supposed to be in here while I'm doing my homework!

Alaia (rolling around on Jared's bed): You're not my boss!

Jared: Mom! (Melora is in the kitchen, ignoring them. Jared pushes Alaia away.) Get out! (Melora enters the room. Melora storms upstairs and enters the room.)

Melora: Uh-uh! OK, I'm asking them nicely to leave.

Jared: I asked them nicely five times.

Melora: No, you didn't. I heard you. It's your tone of voice, Jared. "Get out!" You sit down and do your homework.

Jo: Mom, listen to the way you are speaking to Jared. If only you could hear yourself.

Jared (to camera): It feels really unfair. That I get in trouble, but they don't.

Jo: Poor Jared. This is so unfair!

Jared writes a note for his Thought Box.

Jared: "Why do I get consequences, but the girls don't?"

Jo: Look at Jared. Putting his thoughts into the box.

Melora (reading from the Thought Box): "Why do I get consequences but the girls don't?" Now is that true?

Jared: Me getting yelled at, and getting told to do stuff when the girls won't get anything.

Melora: They're four. You were four once.

Jo: You are missing the point here, Melora! You have got to learn to listen to your son!

Alaia pushes the boundaries
Melora (interview): Since Jo's left, Alaia has tested John and I  both to see how far we are gonna go with this. "Are they for real?"

In the kitchen, Alaia bats at Melora's hand and turns away.

Alaia: No.

Melora: Do not smack. Now I want you to get your underwear and your pyjamas because we're going to take a bath after dinner. All right? After--

Alaia: I'm not listening to you. (Leaves the kitchen. Melora stands in kitchen and is now talking to Alaia from across the house.)

Melora: After playtime. (Raises her hands in a helpless gesture) Well, then if you choose not to listen, then you don't get to have playtime then.

Jo: Melora, mind that backchat! Deal with it.

Alaia: I won't mind you if I have to.

Melora: Would you like to sit four minutes in the Naughty Corner?

Alaia: No!

Jo: Melora, you're starting this wrong. Get down to her level! Give her a warning.

Melora: You'd better stop talking to your mommy like this.

Alaia: I don't have to.

Melora: Well, we'll see. (Alaia goes downstairs.) Four minutes. Let's go.

Alaia: No!

Melora: Yes. (At the bottom of the stairs, Melora holds Alaia by the arms as Alaia tries to get away.)

Alaia: Move!

Melora: I will move when you stand willingly in the corner like I've asked you to do.

Alaia: Let go!

Melora: Nope, not until you willingly stand there like I've asked you to do.

Jo: Why're you pinning her to the corner? Let go of her!

Melora: No. (Alaia lightly slaps Melora in the face.) You're not gonna slap-- (Alaia slaps her again.) 

Jo: And now you're losing control now, Melora. You're losing it.

Alaia: No, I'm not standing in here!

Melora: Yes, you are.

Alaia: NO, I'M NOT!

Jo: Who's got the control here?

Alaia (pointing her finger in Melora's face): You stop that talk RIGHT NOW!

Melora: No. No!

Jo: Melora, you've just been defeated.

Bedtime
Crickets chirp. Title card reads, "8:00 p.m. - Bedtime."

John: OK, let's go get in bed. There's already been storytime. It's time to lay [sic] down.

Ashlyn: I want to read a book.

Jo: OK, come on John, remember: A kiss goodnight, and so to bed.

Melora: Goodnight, Ashie.

John: Goodnight. (Ashlyn rolls over and starts wailing.)

Melora: Goodnight, you guys.

Alaia (sounding very frustrated): She wants a story, now just do it!

Jo: Now just ignore that. Come out of the room, John.

Title card reads, "15 minutes later." John crouches in front of the open bedroom door, trying to reason Ashlyn back to bed.

Ashlyn: Nooooo!

John: Get back in bed.

Ashlyn: I want to read a book, Daddy! (John puts Ashlyn back in bed.)

John: No.

Jo: John, remember: Say nothing, and put her back to bed.

Ashlyn ventures out of bed. She opens the door. Melora is sitting just outside the bedroom door, arms crossed, with a very cranky look on her face. John gets up to put Ashlyn back in bed. Title card reads, "30 minutes later."

Ashlyn: I want some milky! I want some milky!

Melora shakes her head in frustration, pinning her fingers to her eyes. John hands Ashlyn a cup of milk.

Jo: John, we're not bartering here! No deals, it's bedtime!

Title card reads, "45 minutes later." John puts Alaia back in bed.

Alaia: I want my hamster guy. I want my hamster guy!

John: Alaia, get in.

Melora, still sitting outside the bedroom door, grimly glares into the distance as if trying to ignore what's going on in the bedroom.

Alaia: I want my hamster guy, I want my hamster guy!

Jo: John, do not give in.

John picks up the hamster guy from the sofa next to Melora. Melora glares at him as he does this, then throws a hand up in frustration as he walks away to give Alaia the toy she's been whining for.

Jo: So Alaia gets her own way, she's got her toy now.

John (giving Alaia the toy): Let's go to bed.

Title card reads, "60 minutes later." Melora really looks like she's going to lose it. Ashlyn peeks her head out the door.

Ashlyn (in a very rude tone): Try and get us to put us to bed!

Jo: These girls are running rings around you both!

Title card reads, "75 minutes later." Both girls come out of the bedroom. Alaia goes over to the sofa to look at the quietly simmering Melora, who is now staring at her lap and refusing to react to the girls.

Ashlyn (standing in bedroom doorway): I get to read a book. So 'night, you butt pie! (John stands up. Alaia dashes back to the bedroom. The twins go back into their room.)

Jo: You're doing it all wrong, and we need to start from square one!

Announcer: Coming up, on Supernanny: Jo returns to the Wischmeyer house. But can she teach Melora and Jared to come together? When Supernanny returns.

Parent evaluation
Jo (interview): After I've been away for a couple of days, I come back to the family with footage that I've seen whilst I've not been there.

Jo enters the Wischmeyer Family home.

Jo: Hi, Melora.

Melora: Hi, Jo!

Jo: Hello, John.

Jo (interview): And then I show them the footage so that they can see with their own eyes the mistakes they've made.

Jo: Well, I'd like all to sit down and watch this. All right? Let's get some points from what we see.

Footage plays of Melora and Alaia arguing about Alaia staying in the corner.

Alaia: Move!

Melora: I will move when you stand willingly in the corner like I've asked you to do.

Alaia: Let go!

Melora: Nope, not until you willingly stand there like I've asked you to do.

Alaia: Let go! (Jo pauses DVD player.)

Jo: What's going on there? That disheartens me.

Melora: She wouldn't stay there.

Jo: You're hovering over Alaia, and you're forcing her in that corner, and turning her around to the wall, and that's suffocating. When you place one of the children in the Naughty Corner, come down onto your child's level. Give her the eye contact, say, "You do not hit. That behavior is not acceptable. Back into that corner." And then you must walk away. Because your standing there is gonna give your children the chance to get your attention. And that attention she's getting from you there, is negative attention.

Jo starts the DVD player. Bedtime footage plays.

Melora: Goodnight, Ashie. Goodnight, Alaia. Goodnight, you guys.

Ashlyn: I want some milky! I want some milky!

Jo: There's the demand for milk. These are all excuses. You've given the control to Ashie. You've got to follow through with each step! Because the technique works. But it's not gonna work if you don't get a grip of the smaller details.

Jo starts the DVD player. Footage from Jared's room plays.

Jared: Get out.

Melora: Uh-uh! Now I'm asking them nicely to leave. They're leaving.

Jared: I asked them nicely five times--

Melora: No, you didn't. I heard you. It's your tone of voice, Jared. "Get out!" You sit down, and do your homework.

Jo: You're telling Jared that he's being disrespectful, and that his tone is not good, yet you're setting an example by the way that you're talking to him in the first place. (Jo closes the DVD player.) What we'll do is we'll work on all of the stuff that needs working on so that we can get ourselves back on track again.

Jared gets counted
Melora (interview): Earlier today, Alaia went downstairs while Jared was playing a video game, and turned the video game off.

Jared: How would you like it if I went in there and turned off everything in your room while you were watching it or playing with it?

Alaia: Well, I would tell you said that!

Melora: Now, you stay away from Jared, and you let him do his thing. Do you feel like you need to go to the Naughty Corner?

Jo (interview): Instead of blaming Jared for the argument, Melora really stood up for him. She's definitely making progress and that's good.

Melora: If you don't stop acting this way, you're going there.

Alaia: No.

Melora: OK. (Picks up Alaia)

Alaia: NO!! Nooo!!

Alaia stands in the Naughty Corner, glaring at Melora.

Melora: You turned off Jared's game. He was not bothering you. And I want you to turn around, and you're gonna stay here for four minutes in the corner.

Jo: Walk away, Melora. (In the kitchen) I'd like you and I to work more on your tone of voice.

Melora: OK.

Jo: There's ways that you can talk in a low, authoritative (sic) voice without yelling or shouting. Just project in your voice.

Melora: OK.

Jo: So that it sounds louder without shouting.

Melora: OK.

Title card reads, "2 minutes later." Alaia sobs in the Naughty Corner. Title card reads, "3 minutes later."

Melora (interview): Alaia's changed. She knows we're gonna stick with the Naughty Corner. And she knows that if she's gonna act up, she's gonna go there. There's a consequence to acting up.

Title card reads, "4 minutes later." Melora checks her watch and returns to Alaia in the Naughty Corner.

Melora: Alaia. Tell me that you're sorry, please.

Alaia: Sorry.

Melora: Thank you very much.

Jo: Hugs and kisses, hugs and kisses! Let's go, let's play.

Melora (hugging Alaia): Come on.

Jared (interview): The Thought Box, I think it's good, because I can talk to Mom more.

Melora; I want you to feel like you can talk to me about anything. OK?

Jared (interview): She is respecting me a lot more. And I think she's not gonna get caught up so much with the girls and with work.

Melora: Mommy loves you. Give me a hug.

Melora (Interview): Jared and I have gotten a lot closer. The Thought Box has helped a lot. Like I'm real interested in what he's got to say.

Jo (interview): Melora's listening to Jared. She's reducing her work hours. And also doing a really good job disciplining the girls. As a result, the children are getting along much better. But John and Melora still need to work on getting the girls to sleep.

In the girls' bedroom, John and Melora finish storytime. Melora turns out the light.

Jo (interview): It's crucially important that they get the hang of this and that they learn how to do it properly.

Announcer: Coming up on Supernanny: Can Jo put the bedtime mission to rest? And Jo says goodbye for good. When Supernanny returns.

Bedtime finally works
Jo (interview): John and Melora still need to work on getting the girls to sleep.

Melora: Good night. I love you. OK? (Turns off light. Title card reads, "8:00 p.m. - Bedtime.")

Title card reads, "3 minutes later." Alaia opens the bedroom door. The girls emerge from the room.

Girls: Na-na, na-na, boo, boo! (John enters the bedroom.)

Jo: John, tell the girls it's bedtime. It's no game, it's time for bed.

John: Get under the covers.

Ashlyn: No. I can't.

John leaves the room and closes the door. Title card reads, "5 minutes later." The girls come out of the bedroom.

Jo: OK. Look away. John, can you go and put them back into bed?

Girls: Na-na, na-na, boo, boo!

Jo: Just tell them it's time for bed. No games. Time for bed.

John: Lay down, it's bedtime.

Title card reads, "9 minutes later." Alaia exits the bedroom.

Alaia: Whoa!

Melora follows the girls back into the bedroom and puts them back in bed. Title card reads, "14 minutes later." Night-vision footage shows the girls sleeping in bed.

Jo (interview): The girls only came out of their room three times tonight. So the Stay in Bed technique is working. But Melora and John do need to carry on so that bedtime will continue to improve. (Title card reads, "18 minutes later," and the girls are still asleep.)

Melora (interview): I think Ashlyn knows that Daddy and I are not gonna give up putting her back in that bed. And you know, I think that if we stick to the routine, and be consistent, it won't be many more nights until she'll be in the bed.

A happy ending
Jo (interview): The family has progressed slowly, but surely. The parents realize what they've implemented and what they still need to fine tune so that they can make it better for themselves.

John (to Ashlyn, as they rinse dishes): That's pretty quick.

John, Melora and the girls make a snowman in the backyard.

Melora: That was the eyeball.

John: Well, if you find the carrot, that's all.

Jo enters the backyard.

Alaia: I want to go on the slide!

Melora; Keep going. I've gotcha.

Jo: This is great! Alaia, down you come! (Alaia slides down the slide.)

John (interview): I'm very happy with Alaia's change. She does what we ask. She's not as aggressive or hostile.

The family sits around Jo as she tells a story.

Jo: One day, Alaia and Ashlyn were walking along the beach.

John (interview): Ashlyn is more under control whereas bedtime.

Ashlyn: And then the bear bit a snake. Yeah!

Melora (interview): I'm not laying [sic] in the bed with the kids anymore. That's huge.

Jared and Melora sit on the couch. Melora holds out a stick of lip balm at Jared.

Melora: Here, put your lips on here. Give them to me. (Jared shakes his head with a smile.) Give them up!

Jo (interview): Jared's been really empowered. He's got a voice again.

Melora: No girl's gonna kiss you. One of these days, you're gonna want them to kiss you. (Jared shakes his head emphatically.) Mm-hm. And you're gonna go, "Oh, my God!"

Jo (interview): He's talking to his mom again. And the lines of communication are open.

Melora (interview): Jo's brought a lot of happiness in our home. She's helped us so much. We've come a long way in our family, and we've made a lot of progress.

Jo (dancing around with Ashlyn on her feet): Can you do it? Can you do it with Daddy?

Jo (interview): The Wischmeyer Family have changed a lot. John and Melora have that power back again, and being in control of the children. The biggest change that's happened for Melora is that it's OK not to work all God's sends hours. it's OK to enjoy being a mother.

Jo says goodbye
Jo sits with all the children in her lap.

Jo: I'm going home now.

Alaia: And you won't be here tomorrow?

Melora (interview): It was emotional saying goodbye to Jo. John and I have become pretty attached to her, and so have my kids. She's kind of like one of us now.

Jo: So Jo-Jo wanted to give you kisses farewell. And Jo-Jo is saying goodbye. (Alaia hugs and kisses Jo.) Bye-bye, my darling. (Jo kisses Ashlyn.) Bye-bye, darling. (Turns to Jared) You take care, OK?

Jared (interview): It's been really good having Jo here. I think having Jo here has made me happier.

Jo: Yeah, darling, you speak to me! (Rubs Jared's chin) You'll be able to speak to me!

Jared (interview): She's helped us a lot. Jo's just been better, a tighter feeling. I'm gonna miss Jo a lot. (Jo and Jared hug.)

Jo: That's OK. It's OK to feel upset. How about next time I come to the States, I pop in and say "Hi"?

Jared (on the verge of tears): OK.

Jo: You can teach me how to symbol [?]. (Jared laughs. Jo gives him another hug.) OK!

Jo (interview): It feels good to be able to go into a family and see dynamics, and see issues that a family is struggling with, and be able to implement some techniques and set up a household routine that works for a family.

Jo: Bye! (Jo leaves the house.)

Jo (interview): It feels good to watch them realize that it's working. (Jo gets into the taxi.) I've done what I was meant to do here in this family, and I'm off to the next one now! (The taxi drives away.)

Family update
John and the girls are fingerpainting at the dining table.

Ashlyn: What happened, I need to wipe it!

John: I know, you did it to the table, too!

John (interview): I think Jo has brought our family together. (Footage of John riding with the girls on a snowmobile.) Um, brought more happiness into the house. The whole experience has been very positive.

Melora (interview): It's like we're one big happy family.

John (interview): Melora's achieved that balance of being a mother and having a job and you can see the happiness.

The girls play with Jared.

Melora: Come on, Jared!

Jared (laughing): No!

Melora (interview): I'm really enjoying playing with my kids and spending time with them. I've totally been relaxed and had the most fun I've had in probably three or four years.

Alaia (interview): Jo-Jo make Mommy and Daddy happy.

The girls prance around on the kitchen floor, as if trying to breakdance.

Melora: Keep it going, girls!

Ashlyn (interview): Jo-Jo make me good.

Ashlyn takes a picture while sitting on John's shoulders.

Ashlyn: I take a picture of you!

Ashlyn (interview): I really miss Jo-Jo.

Jared breakdances on the kitchen floor.

Jared (interview): I miss Jo-Jo because she's like one of our family.

John: You need help, or are you OK?

John (interview): I am a better parent now than before when Jo showed up. And I will be a better parent, days ahead.

Melora and the girls slide down a snowy slope in coasters.

Melora (interview): We kinda thought, "Oh, she's just gonna come and help us with our children." Well, it went way beyond our kids. It went to each of us individually inside. So that's a good thing. Thank you, Jo.

Closing credits
Jo, in Supernanny mode, is in Jared's room.

Jo: You know what, you've just come upstairs and your mom's gonna be going like this--

Jo hunches up her shoulders and skulks toward Jared. She then paces back and forth making frustrated, heavy breathing sounds while Jared giggles at her antics.

Jo: Aw, dude!