Supernanny shares key mistake parents make that 'doesn't prepare kids for life'

Preparing children for the real world is one of the most important responsibilities of parents. Building resilience, offering guidance and helping them face challenges with confidence is vital for their future independence.

But ex-Channel 4 star Jo Frost, also known as 'supernanny' has claimed parents are making one mistake that is not preparing their children for real life. The 54-year-old renowned childcare expert is known for taking on Britain's most formidable tots and their tantrums — and sometimes these meltdowns are caused by not knowing how to deal with disappointment.

In a video, which has gained more than 1,500 likes, she explained: "Parents don't want their kids to feel disappointed. They don't want their kids to feel what it feels like to lose. Actually, there's so much to learn from that.

"When you make everything better out the way and make it easier for your child, you actually don't make it easier for them. It's not preparing them for the real world. There are obstacles in the real world.

READ MORE: Supernanny issues warns parents who make key mistake can raise 'entitled' kids

"There are hurdles and being able to adapt and understand that there are going to be moments when you are going to be disappointed and things are not going to go your way — I think it's an important lesson to teach our children. But again, if we just keep smoothing over, trying to take away what they need to feel, then we do hindrance.

"I think rather than making it better for them to be able to sit with that uncomfortable feeling and to help them with coping mechanisms to push through that adversity. Children need to be able to do that."

However, Instagram users were left divided over the clip — with some parents claiming they disagreed. One user said: "I disagree with you here a bit. I not going to 'prepare' my grandson for the hard world out there, believe me, he will regardless meet it and experience it, until then I want him to be a child, with joy and no worries yet.

"I don't sugarcoat him, but I am letting him be a child. It's the society that is f**ked up, that we have or feel the need to prepare our small children and harshen them before they meet it. Here, in my house, he is going to feel that it's most safety, joy and love. The rest he will as I wrote face when schools etc begins and he in my opinion has a view of how it should or could be and a steadfast ground to stand on from a loving and kind home when hell on the outside show the other side of the world."

Other users defended Jo's video, agreeing that learning to deal with disappointment is a part of life. A viewer commented: "This is awesome advice," as another argued: "Completely agree they learn from how we cope with adversity too, there is rough and there is smooth and it is both needed in moderation to feel alive."

Someone else penned: "Spot on. When I nannied I was all about being a safe person for them, and their grandma still tells me when the girls bring up how much fun we had- which is the sweetest compliment ever 10 years later. But also teaching them healthy independence, being respectful, consequences for our actions and that we can still have loads of fun and enjoy quiet time too. It’s setting them up for success in every aspect.."