Because of Family Requests, please do not try to make fun of Shorty peeing in public in the shop, as mentioning about it makes him feel embarrassed about it. It's fine to talk about Marla's acts in the episode, just not Shorty's.
The Fernandez Family is the sixth episode of Season 7 of the American Supernanny show.
Episode summary[]
Jo goes to Kissimmee, Florida where she visits the Fernandez family.
High-school sweethearts Jerald (31) and Marla (29) have three children under 13: 12-year-old Desiree, 5-year-old Elias and 3-year-old Eulisis (who goes by his nickname "Shorty").
Shorty is out of control with his violent temper tantrums. He would do anything to aggravate his family and win the battle.
The two older children don't act out much as Shorty but they can be non compliant. Desiree is going through adolescence and can sometimes talks back, especially to her mother. Her grades are also getting lower as she refuses to do her homework. Elias is even calmer than both Shorty and Desiree but he can be a bit quirky at times and can be mischievous.
However the parents are no better. Jerald lazes around in his own throne behaving entitled and it leads to conflict between himself and Marla. Marla would yell at the children and give them threats. The relationship between Marla and Desiree is very strained as Marla criticizes her for small petty things (such as dropping a cup of water) and even can instigate or engage in their arguments. Although Jo has told Jerald to step up, Marla hasn't done much to improve her own mistakes. Can Jo sort these young parents out?
Plot[]
Observation[]
Jo meets the family. While Shorty was hesitant to shaking Jo's hand, overall everyone welcomed Jo into their house.
The first order of business is that Marla needed to go the store to buy some clothes for herself and Desiree. Jerald did not want to come because it is girls' shopping, though, he made a choice to come. Shorty refused to put his shoes he threw a temper tantrum. Mom was giving mixed messages of what they should do with Shorty. It took 40 minutes for the whole family to get ready and left without the door shut.
When everyone got to the store, Elias was standing in front of the entrance. He was hesitant to come into the store so Marla threatened her kid that the cops would come. This made Jo laugh hysterically. A few minutes later, Elias eventually went in as if nothing happened. Once everyone was in the store, Shorty still did not want to put his shoes on and Jerald forced him to put the shoes on. Shorty threw a violent tantrum and Marla couldn't concentrate on shopping for her dress. Eventually the tantrum was so bad that Shorty peed on the floor and the family had to leave. Marla made an excuse for Shorty while Jerald had to clean up the mess.
Back at home, Jo decided to have a chat with Desiree about her strained relationship with her parents. Desiree admitted her grades went down because she didn't do her homework. However she opened up that she got the impression that she meant nothing to her parents. She told Jo that one time her mother told her, after she accidentally dropped a glass of water that she was stupid, an idiot and her whole life was an accident. It is important that Desiree makes better decisions but her parents cannot hold a grudge forever.
Jerald always was seen sitting down on the couch and Marla was doing the chores all of the time. Jo had a word with Marla about her relationship with Jerald despite the fact that she loves him but not in love with him.
Parents' Meeting[]
Jo discusses with the parents about trust especially the fact that Desiree knows she messed up. Jerald says he finds it difficult to trust her just because she lies. Jo declares they're not giving Desiree a chance to make things right when they shut her down and hold a grudge all the time. She then confronts them about the lack of discipline especially out in public. When Jo questions the parents of how the kids are going to learn right from wrong when there are no consequences, Jerald blurts out in a cocky manner "We're just hoping they grow out of it, I guess". Jo slams the father of three declaring that his comment is the "most pathetic excuse" she's heard all year and it was so ignorant and immature of him to say that and his attitude will get him nowhere. Furthermore Jo talks to the parents about them making a decision together whenever they deal with the kids, especially how gobsmacked she was on how they dealt with Shorty's temper tantrum over a pair of shoes when they were getting ready. Marla and Jerald admit they didn't work together. Jerald says Marla rushes people and Marla admits she's frustrated because nobody's listening to her. Jo then brings on another point about the fact that Marla's frustration with the kids leads her to threaten them with awful things along with listing what her threats are:
- When I break your teeth it isn't gonna be funny.
- I'm gonna Karate chop on your lip.
- Hurry up and get inside or the police will come and get you.
- There's a man over there who takes little boys who don't listen to their parents. He take them to the kitchen, chops them up, and cooks them, and eats them.
Jo finds it disgraceful that these young parents especially Marla can talk to their kids they way they think they should talk to them just because they are their parents. She finally talks to Jerald about his lazy, ungrateful ways in the house. Marla said she can't remember the last time, Jerald thanked her while Jerald thinks it's unrealistic that you shouldn't thank someone for doing everyday things and if Marla is not happy with the relationship, they can end it. Jo is appalled by Jerald's answer as he needs to recognize he's just as responsible for the responsibilities in the house and raising the kids as Marla is. She further declares that Jerald needs to man up and tell the difference between a boy and man. Jerald finally brushes off his cocky attitude at the meeting and he is ashamed of himself. He admits that he got lamb basted at that meeting and Jo dropped it on him big time.
Teaching[]
The family showed really poor behavior and Jo had to lay down boundaries. She comes up with 'Rules of the Ring' house rules as the boys like wrestling. The parents and the older kids are coming up with what the rules should be. While Desiree starts to write the rules down, the pen cap falls on the floor. Shorty picks it up and runs off. It is right there and then, Jo instructs Marla to give him a warning. Marla's example of a warning isn't cutting it so Jo intervenes to demonstrate to the parents how to implement the Naughty Spot. According to Jerald, "Shorty likes to be in control all the time and when he's not, he becomes irate". Sure enough, after Shorty is sent to timeout, he is not giving up without a fight. He launches into a full blown tantrum and he escapes 67 times. While this is happening, Jo instructs both parents to take turns putting him back. Marla finishes the technique successfully when Shorty's time is up.
Jo wanted to give Jerald this fun idea to bring him closer with Desiree so he can rebuild his trust with her. The fortune teller game was about asking questions and learning more about each other. When Desiree asks "What was the low point of your week?" Jerald answers "When Jo beat me up at the family meeting." Jo and Desiree laugh. Jerald says he wants Desiree to know that Jo pushed him to be a better father to her and her brothers. Desiree loves the fortune teller because she can have fun with her father and not feel judged.
During dinner time, Gerald is cooking which surprises Jo. Her strong words in the meeting did make an impact. She also realizes Jerald's laziness goes much deeper as Marla tries to take over while Jerald tries to help out. Jo believes Marla is "playing the martyr" while Marla says, "She is out of her element because she doesn't know what to do with myself". After dinner, she sits down both parents to sort out the daily chores and who is going to do what, then the parents made up a weekly chart to divide the chores evenly. Marla once again is being compulsive while Jerald tells her to pick her battles. Eventually they come to an agreement.
Desiree's homework needed to be addressed as her grades are falling down. Jo sets up a homework system and attitude towards homework needed to be changed. Desiree finishes rather quickly and Marla checks it over. It isn't long before tempers flare between the two young women and they start arguing over the answers and how things are said. Desiree is angrily sent to her room by her mother and Jo steps in to talk to Marla about how they should find common ground. Jo tells Marla needs to break the cycle after months of frustration carried and to be the adult she is. Marla comes over to Desiree with a different approach and they make up. Desiree goes to the school dance afterwards.
The next day, Jo bring both Marla and Gerald with Desiree in the garden to have a discussion. They go far because Elias keeps butting in. After a warning, Elias is still standing there so he is sent to time out. Despite Elias going there without a fight and doing his time, Marla does the timeout very wrong the way she sends him and when Elias' time is up, Marla dismisses him and Elias goes on the swings. Jo sends the others away from the table so she can confront Marla about her own laziness. She makes Marla write the steps down for the Naughty Spot on a piece of paper. Jo has to leave for several days though there was a lot of homework had to be done especially Mom had to work on time out despite struggling on it.
Parents Evaluation[]
Clip 1[]
Marla tells everyone to get ready to go to the store and took. It takes 11 minutes to get prepared which was a big difference compared to in the Observation. Marla manages to buy clothes, and Jerald plays with the boys, much to their delight.
Clip 2[]
Jerald had bonding time with Desiree which includes playing the fortune teller game and taking her out for shopping. The difference is better communication.
Clip 3[]
The family was baking brownies in the kitchen, although Marla was hushed about the boys making a mess with the eggs and sitting on the counter. Jo says to Marla, "Kids make mess, Adults make mess".
Clip 4[]
Elias is being silly, even though he was hardly doing anything wrong that would warrant a timeout, Marla sent him into time-out anyway with no warning. Although Elias stays in timeout for his defined time, there is no explanation and the apology step was all a joke. Jo is not pleased.
Reinforcement[]
It isn't long before Shorty demands to Marla that he wants Jerald make his milk for him which made her upset. Then Jo tries to help them try to resolve the issue. However tempers flare between the parents. Jo realizes Marla is just shifting the blame on Jerald when it isn't his fault this time. Jo confronts Marla about her "1,000 excuses" of why she can't step up. Marla realizes she needs to change but she see Jerald making a gesture even though he is understanding what Jo is saying. Marla goes into a rage at Jerald saying, "I'm getting pissed off!" Jerald says that Marla needs to take responsibility. Marla realizes that she is in the wrong. After the talk, Shorty is seen throwing a toy around in front of Marla. Marla tells Shorty to not throw things and to pick it up the toy he's thrown. After a warning, Shorty gets the message. This time, Marla does the warning correctly. The next minute, Shorty and Marla are happily playing with the toy together.
The next task is to encourage Marla to be messy. To help her learn this, Jo has the family wash the family car. The family scrubs the car, they splash water, and they make a mess, and the car is very clean. After this, Jo leaves the family.
Family Members[]
| Person | Age | Age
(Now) |
Relation to Family |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jerald Fernandez | 31 (born July 17, 1979) | 45 | Father |
| Marla Fernandez | 29 (born December 5, 1980) | 44 | Mother |
| Desiree | 12 (born March 13, 1998) | 26 | Daughter |
| Elias | 5 (born 2005) | 19 | Son |
| Eulisis "Shorty" | 3 (born 2007) | 17 |
| The child was disciplined via one of Jo Frost's techniques. |
| The child was disciplined via one of Jo Frost's techniques, but it was done wrong. |
Behind The Scenes[]
This episode was filmed in October 2010.
Trivia[]
- Marla being concerned about the boys making a mess is similar to how Lisa was concerned with Blake, Cameron and Zoe making a mess with the Clay in The Benjany Family.
- Marla is considered to be one of the worst mothers in the series. Due to her empty, yet generally disturbing threats to the kids.
- Shorty has been returned to timeout the second most times in the series, being returned 67 times. Tia from The Williams Family (U.K.) and Rhys from The Howat Family are tied for the most times, both being returned 100 times.
- Marla and Jerald talked about how their marriage is in jeopardy. However they’re still married today.
Events Post-Episode[]
- Desiree gave birth to a baby boy named Keithan on February 4, 2022 at age 23 (almost 24), making Marla a grandmother and Jerald a grandfather.
Pop Culture[]
- When Jo arrives, Shorty can be seen eating Cool Ranch Doritos.
- When Desiree is introduced, Wii Sports sound effects can be heard.
Gallery[]
External Links[]
- 3yr Old Throws Epic Tantrum and Pees On Shop Floor (Observation) - Supernanny US YouTube channel
- Screaming Child Gets Returned To 'Naughty Step' 67 Times! (Teaching) - Supernanny US YouTube channel
- 'Supernanny' touches down in Kissimmee in Friday's episode - The Orlando Sentinel, 12/16/2010
- A Very Bad Dad? The Supernanny Calls a Father 'Ignorant' and 'Pathetic' (VIDEO) - Huffington Post, 12/21/2010
- Elias's YouTube Channel (Note: He reposted the video of Eulisis "Shorty" peeing on the floor)
- Full Episode on YouTube
- Full Episode (Complete) on YouTube
- Eulisis's "Shorty's" Instagram
- Elias's Instagram
- Desiree's Instagram
| Season 7 |
|---|
| The Atkinson Family • The Peterfreund Family • The Swift Family • The Young Family • The Van Acker Family • The Fernandez Family • The George Family • The Miller Family • The Colombo Family • The Potter Family • The Merrill Family • The DeMott Family • The Froebrich Family • The Federico Family • The Evans Family |