Party Mamas

Review

Common Sense Media says

Competitive moms send troubling messages.
greenON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age.
yellowPAUSE: Know your child; some content
may not be right for some kids.
redOFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age.
not for kidsNOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age.

Find out more

Quality
 
Sometimes media can be age appropriate but a real waste of time. Our star rating assesses the media's overall quality.

Find out more

Parents say

Not yet rated

Kids say

Not yet rated

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this reality series about aggressive party-planning moms sends confusing messages: Loving mothers abruptly become demanding, controlling, and self-centered while organizing events for their children. Some moms compete with their children for attention, while others seem to lose sight of why they're throwing the party in the first place. You can also expect some strong language; words like "bitch" and "crap" are audible, while the likes of "s--t" are bleeped.

  • Positive messages0
    The featured moms love their kids but exhibit controlling, self-centered, and disrespectful behavior toward vendors, party planners, and even spouses while organizing parties. Some moms compete with their kids for attention at the parties or seem to be living vicariously through their children. Lots of emphasis on money and material goods. The moms and their families are mainly Caucasian and of upper-middle-class and upper-class socioeconomic backgrounds.
  • Violence0
    Moms are seen arguing with spouses, children, vendors, etc. At one Halloween party, a young man carries a BB gun as part of his costume against his parents' wishes.
  • Sex0
    Some episodes include references to moms looking "sexy" at these parties. One mother is described as sometimes looking "slutty."
  • Language3
    Words like "crap," "hell," and "bitch" are audible; stronger words like "s--t" are bleeped.
  • Consumerism3
    Many of the featured moms are proudly materialistic, spending lavish amounts of money on over-the-top entertainment, food, etc.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking3
    Adult consumption of hard liquor, beer, wine, and champagne visible.
CloseExpand to see more details

What's the story?

Imported from Canada, PARTY MAMAS is a reality series that follows moms who go overboard to throw their kids the "ultimate party." These controlling matriarchs plan every detail of their children's bar mitzvah, birthday party, or neighborhood Halloween bash. Viewers watch as they obsess over things like polka-dot tablecloths and the exact square footage of a massive Saturday Night Fever-style dance floor. No expense is spared as they spend thousands of dollars to ensure that their party has the best music, dancers, costumes, laser shows, and fireworks.

Is it any good?

 

These mamas proudly admit that they're materialistic, difficult to please, and inflexible when it comes to their kid's big bash. Many seem to take pride in the fact that they act like spoiled children when vendors can't meet their long list of demands. And some have a hard time letting their kids have the spotlight on their special day, somehow managing to make themselves the center of attention.

Although the show is tamer than MTV's popular, similarly themed My Super Sweet 16, it still sends some very disturbing messages about the extremes that some parents will go to in order to make their kids -- and themselves -- happy. For many of these moms, planning these parties is more about satisfying their need to be in control and/or in the limelight than really doing something nice for their kids. Their antics might be fun for older viewers to watch, but it doesn't make them very good role models for the younger set.

Sign Up Message
Sign up for our weekly newsletter
Each week we send a customized newsletter to our parent and teen subscribers. Parents can customize their settings to receive recommendations and parent tips based on their kids’ ages. Teens receive a version just for them with the latest reviews and top picks for movies, video games, apps, music, books, and more.
Please enter an email address.
Please check your email address for possible typos.
Sorry, you must be 13 or older to subscribe to our weekly newsletter.
Sign me up!

What families can talk about

Families can talk about some of the messages that shows like this one and My Super Sweet 16 send to kids. Why do some parents who clearly love their kids behave inappropriately while showing it? Is throwing extravagant parties the best way to show their love? Do you think the kids end up having fun at these parties? Families can also discuss the different ways that people celebrate special occasions. Do parties have to be big and lavish to be fun and memorable?

This review was written by Melissa Camacho
This review was written by Melissa Camacho
TV rating:TV-PG
Network:WE
Genre:Reality TV
This review was written by Melissa Camacho
 

Review It

Share your review with others

Hang on! You need to be a member to post your review.
A safe community is important to us. Please observe our guidelines.
About our rating system
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.
Learning ratings
BEST: Really engaging, great learning approach.
GOOD: Pretty engaging, good learning approach.
FAIR: Somewhat engaging, OK learning approach.
NOT FOR LEARNING: Not recommended for learning.
Our child development rating guidelines

Great alternatives handpicked by our editors

For kids who love
Browse more TV
 

vote now

Will you see Party Mamas?

Won't miss it
We'll try
Change it

Already seen it? What do you think?

I recommend it
It's a pass
 
More from Common Sense Media
Age-appropriate reviews
Top advice and articles

Been There? Tell us about it