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Oh, Behave, Supernanny Jo Tells Wesley Chapel Family Tonight

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By WALT BELCHER, The Tampa Tribune

Published: February 6, 2008

TAMPA - Brenda Dostal says she felt like a failure as a mother.

The 38-year-old Wesley Chapel mom was dealing with a 5-year-old terror. Son Zachary's kicking and clawing outbursts of anger left her with bloody scratches and frazzled nerves.

Her 3-year-old daughter, Erin, "a sweet little chatterbox," had to vie for attention because Zach was so demanding.

And her six-year marriage to husband Bill was in jeopardy.

Enter Jo Frost, the real-life Mary Poppins who has helped hundreds of families. The 37-year-old star of "Supernanny" taped an episode with the Dostal family in October.

She spent 13 intense days in the home offering comfort, stern advice and counseling on parenting and marriage. The episode airs at 9 tonight on ABC.

Brenda says the family hasn't seen it, but whatever embarrassing things are shown, the experience was worth it.

"It's risky to air your dirty laundry in public, but I was so desperate for help that I didn't care," she said in a recent telephone interview. "Also, it's worth it if it helps other people who are facing similar problems."

When Frost first sees a video of Zachary's attacks, she declares, "His behavior is ridiculous!"

She quickly concludes that Zach is acting out because of his parents' problems.

"This marriage had a lot of strain, and it's very stressful," she told the Tribune during the taping of the episode.

Married six years, the Dostals have lived in several states. Both are civil engineers, but she is now a stay-at-home mother. Bill, 45, works for a construction firm. They have lived in Wesley Chapel for five years.

Brenda says Zachary has always been an active child, but during the past year, he started becoming more defiant and aggressive.

She says she tried all kinds of discipline techniques and nothing was working. A friend who witnessed him lashing out suggested she try to get on "Supernanny."

Brenda says she telephoned a casting hot line and told her story. Within 24 hours, there was a call back. Within two days, the Dostals were selected for the show.

Viewers will see that Bill has felt that Brenda was at fault for not controlling Zach, and she has worried that Bill couldn't control his temper when dealing with Zach's bad behavior.

Communication between the couple has broken down. Brenda tells Frost that she doesn't think the marriage will last.

Bill admits that he isn't the most patient guy. Brenda says her husband is an angry person.

"One little thing can not go his way and look out," she says.

Frost works with Brenda and Bill to open lines of communication. She works with Brenda to improve her discipline skills. She also works with Zachary, teaching him a "gentle touch" game to counter his clawing outbursts. She guides Bill and Zachary through bonding exercises.

Brenda says that, so far, Frost's advice has helped the family.

"The behavior modification techniques that we learned from Jo Frost have worked," she says. "Zachary was even student of the week in kindergarten."

Brenda says he is still very active and was recently diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.

"I have nothing but positive things to say about Jo Frost," Brenda says. "She is authentic and sincere and is really there to help."

Frost has nearly 20 years of child care experience. She became an overnight star in England when the British version of "Supernanny" debuted in 2004. Frost is single and has no children. She has written three top-selling child care books and has a line of "Supernanny" products.

The American version of "Supernanny" debuted in 2005. She continues to star in both series.

"I have a never-ending schedule. I literally do live out of a suitcase," she said during an interview in October.

Reporter Walt Belcher can be reached at (813) 259-7654 or wbelcher@tampatrib

.com.

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