SUPERNANNY JO FROST ‘I’M HEADING DOWN UNDER!’
THE PARENTING GURU IS COMING TO SAVE OUR TROUBLED TOTS AND TEENS
For close to two decades, Jo Frost – aka TV’S ‘Supernanny’ – has stepped in to change the direction of countless unruly kids across the world. It’s a feat that both changed lives and entertained hundreds of millions of viewers in the process.
Now, after a raft of television series in her native UK and the US, the real-life Mary Poppins has her sights set on tackling troubled tykes and teens Down Under.
“I’m in talks with a network about coming over to shoot a series in Australia,” Jo tells New Idea exclusively. “I was actually due to come to Australia [last year], but the Nine Network had a change of route, so that didn’t happen. “Aussie families have seen me in
various versions of my show – helping American and British families – but this will be the first time I film a series in Australia. I can’t wait to actually get there!”
Jo’s excitement about visiting our shores is primarily due to an existing relationship she has with our country.
“I’ve visited several times,” she says. “And Brits and the Aussies … well, we’re like cousins! There’s a familiarity, I get the lingo, and it’s just an easy and fun country to visit.”
When quizzed about her expectations of Aussie kids, Jo is adamant that the issues she uncovers with families and unruly children are pretty much the same, no matter the country.
“The reality is, a lot of the issues I cover with many families in different corners of the world are universal.” Jo already has a grounding in child-rearing, ‘true-blue’ style. Both pre-pandemic and during it, the parenting expert has been assisting thousands of people, both in Australia and overseas, by swapping home visits for video conference calls. She’s also provided a free service for families struggling with the painful realities of homeschooling during lockdown. “I’ve helped more than 5000 people quietly, behind the scenes,” she says. “I was helping doctors, nurses, essential workers – all those people who were helping us – alongside regular families. It was a no-brainer for me. “People were scared and desperate and didn’t know what to do.
“One of the biggest challenges was uncertainty and fear – people had been put in fight-or-flight mode. For me, the first port of call for any client is to see where
‘I GET THE LINGO, AND IT’S JUST AN EASY AND FUN COUNTRY’
the families are in their mental and emotional health. That is the biggest priority … and conversations had to be had.”
The 51-year-old certainly practises what she preaches.
Married to location coordinator husband, Darrin Jackson, since 2016, the pair live in Orange County, California. Jo is open about the struggles the couple have had during the long months of Covid-related confinement.
“I’m so happy in my marriage, but we make sure that we talk – that’s so important,” she says. “And yes, we’ve had moments when we’ve had to take a break, but then we’ll come back and support each other.”