With Dad in Iraq the Whole Family is Acting Out Next Week on "Supernanny"

With Dad in Iraq the Whole Family is Acting Out Next Week on "Supernanny" 5/1/08

WITH DAD IN IRAQ, THE WHOLE FAMILY IS ACTING OUT, ON ABC'S "SUPERNANNY"

"Martinez Family" - Dad, Sindo, is a civilian contractor in Iraq, leaving his wife, Michelle, home alone for five months at a time with three rambunctious children -- Sindo, 9, Ashley, 7, and Mikey, 6. Mom is easily overwhelmed and rides a daily rollercoaster of emotions, waiting for Dad's regular email to reassure her that he has survived another day. Her frequent crying, yelling and overreaction to the kids prompts the children to respond in kind with hostility and behavior that quickly spirals out of control. Ashley throws giant temper tantrums in public, so Mom is reluctant to take the children out.

She feels enormous pressure to fill the role of both mother and father, and though Dad calls as often as he can, phone warnings hold little threat when he's half a world away. Can Jo help these parents with tools to ease some of the pressure of this new family dynamic? "Supernanny" airs WEDNESDAY, MAY 7 (9:00-10:00 p.m., ET) on the ABC Television Network.

Nick Powell is the creator and executive producer of both the American and British versions of the show. Nick Emmerson and Holly Wofford are executive producers of the American version. "Supernanny" is produced by Ricochet, Ltd.

"Supernanny" is broadcast with Spanish subtitles via secondary closed captioning. A TV parental guideline will be posted closer to airdate.

Source: ABC Press Release