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Mom's Cooking (Lifetime Television)

common sense media says

Families bond over food; some gender stereotyping.

parents & educators say
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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.

Positive messages: The series presents food/food preparation as a way to pass down family
tradition and bring families together. But It also perpetuates the
stereotype that cooking is done primarily by women and that these
traditions are only passed down from mother to daughter.
Violence: One impressed family member playfully says that the food "makes you want to slap your granny."
Sex: Not applicable.
Language: Not applicable.
Consumerism: Supermarkets like Kroger and various food brands like Martha White Corn
Meal and White Lilly Flour are sometimes prominently visible.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Some recipes contain alcohol. Alcohol (mostly wine) is consumed at meals.
Our ratings and reviews are informed by child development guidelines. Learn more.

More on Mom's Cooking

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
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?

What's the story?

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?

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.

TV themes & details

TV Details
TV Rating: NR
Network: Lifetime Television
Cast: Joe Corsano
Genre: Reality TV
Where to watch: Lifetime Television
This review was written by Melissa Camacho
 
 

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