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Home Made Simple (TLC)

common sense media says

Extreme household makeover is fine for kids.

parents & educators say
See 2 reviews | Review it

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that in each episode of this home-improvement reality series, a team of experts helps a family simplify their home lives. Friends pitch in to help, and everyone learns new ways to make their households more user friendly. It's fine fare for young viewers, though only die-hard home improvement buffs will be entertained.

Positive messages: With hard work and patience, every home can run more smoothly. Everyone needs to pitch in and help out.
Violence & scariness: Not applicable.
Sexy stuff: Not applicable.
Language: Not applicable.
Consumerism: Procter & Gamble's Homemadesimple.com Web site is pitched regularly.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Not applicable.
Our ratings and reviews are informed by child development guidelines. Learn more.

More on Home Made Simple

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
Families can talk about pitching in. Why does a household run smoothly only when everyone helps out? Even though chores are often a bore, what can kids learn from helping out Mom and Dad? What helpful ideas can you take away from this show?

What's the story?

What's the story?
In HOME MADE SIMPLE -- which is based on Procter and Gamble's Web site of the same name -- families learn how to make their households run more efficiently, picking up useful skills along the way. Each week, two "home mavens" -- organizational expert June Saruwatari and carpenter Scott McCray -- visit a family dealing with issues like coping with raising triplets or a mom's return to the workforce. With the help of guest experts and the featured couple's friends, Saruwatari and McCray show the family how to organize their home, create simple meals, and set aside family-friendly spaces. In one episode, for example, the mavens showed culinary-challenged Kate, a mother of three boys under 5, how to create delicious, simple meals in minutes. Meanwhile, her husband learned how to transform a dilapidated backyard deck area into a sandbox for the boys.

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 

Home Made Simple has many positives: In addition to quick tips that appear from time to time at the bottom of the screen ("For the best zest, use unwaxed fruit"), devoted, caring parents and loving families are highlighted. But while the show is fine for viewers of all ages, Home Made Simple will primarily appeal to adults and older teens with the home improvement bug.

TV themes & details

TV Details
TV Rating: TV-G
Network: TLC
Cast: June Saruwatari, Scott McCray
Genre: Reality TV
Where to watch: TLC
This review was written by Lucy Maher
 
 

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About our rating system
ON: Content is appropriate for kids this age.
PAUSE: Know your child, some content may not be right for some kids
OFF: Not age appropriate for kids this age
Our child development rating guidelines