 | ON: Content is age-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. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
Mom's Cooking
- Lifetime Television
- Genre: Reality TV
Common Sense Media says
Families bond over food; some gender stereotyping.
Parents say
Kids say
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this heartfelt cooking/reality series -- in
which mothers teach their daughters to prepare family favorites --
looks at food and meal preparation as a way to keep generations
connected and create strong bonds between mothers and daughters. That
said, it also suppports gender stereotypes about cooking being a
woman's responsbility. Some recipes contain alcohol, and some families
drink wine at mealtime. Supermarket logos (like Kroger) and various
food brands (like Martha White) are visible.
What's the story?
MOM'S COOKING is a heartwarming show in which mothers teach their
daughters how to make some of their signature dishes and favorite
holiday meals. In each episode, an unsuspecting mom is taken by
surprise when her daughter, along with host Joe Corsano and a camera
crew, arrives at her doorstep for a cooking lesson. After shopping for
ingredients, the featured mom teaches her daughter to cook three
different dishes. As they work, they exchange childhood memories and
other stories connected to the food they're preparing. And when
everything is ready, other family members are invited to dig in and
savor the meal.
Is it any good?
The series highlights cooking as a way for generations of family
members to connect with one another. It also emphasizes the way that
cooking can help mothers bond with their daughters -- even after
they've reached adulthood and have children of their own. But by
focusing just on mothers and daughters in the kitchen, Mom's Cooking
suports the the idea that cooking is a "woman's job." It also ignores
the fact that sons can benefit from sharing a similar experience with
their moms (or dads!), and that all kids can benefit from preparing meals with their parents, regardless of gender.
While
these messages can be problematic, the show's overall messages about
family and traditions are positive. Young tweens may not be
particularly drawn to the show, but older tweens and teens may find the
recipes, if not the stories, interesting.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about whether shows like this one can actually help
people improve their cooking skills. Do you think the meals prepared on
cooking shows are as difficult or simple to make as they seem on
television? Are there any recipes and/or cooking techniques that have
surprised you? Families can also discuss some of the their own favorite
traditional meals. Are there foods you eat that are different from
other families around you? Do you have specific meals that you eat on
special occasions, like birthdays or holidays?
There aren't any reviews yet. Be the first to review this title below.
| TV rating: | NR |
| Network: | Lifetime Television |
| Cast: | Joe Corsano |
| Genre: | Reality TV |
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