
Want more recommendations for your family?
Sign up for our weekly newsletter for entertainment inspiration
Trading Mom
By Grace Montgomery,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Silly '90s fantasy is a little dated but still fun.

A Lot or a Little?
What you will—and won't—find in this movie.
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Trading Mom
Community Reviews
Not as Disapointing as It Looks!
Report this review
What's the Story?
The Martin kids are sick of their divorced mom (Sissy Spacek) nagging them to clean up and behave. With a little help from the flower magic of neighbor Mrs. Cavour (Maureen Stapleton), the kids make their mom disappear and head to The Mommy Market to pick out a new mother. Oldest sister Elizabeth (Anna Chlumsky of My Girl fame) picks the exotic Mama, Jeremy (Aaron Michael Metchik) picks the outdoorsy Mom, and Harry (Asher Metchik) picks the circus performer Natasha. Unfortunately, these new moms just aren't quite right and the kids soon start to realize their mom might not have been so bad after all, especially when the school principal keeps making unexpected visits.
Is It Any Good?
TRADING MOM is a fun, cheesy flick that has a lot of heart but a few flaws. Some parents might not be fans of some of the dated messages and the back talk given by the Martin kids (Jeremy's bitter "no wonder Dad left her" is especially unpleasant). And Sissy Spacek's portrayal of all of the moms is pretty over-the-top. But overall, it's a surprisingly cute movie that will probably be a hit with the younger crowd.
Kids will love the fantasizing about their dream mom and will probably love how silly all of the new mothers are. Parents will appreciate the ending message that it's really better to have a mom who loves and understands you but isn't always fun. And parents who grew up in the '90s will probably love the throwback fashion and some fun cameos like Andre the Giant.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the different moms in the movie. Why were the new mothers not quite right?
What qualities make a good mother? If you could pick a fantasy mother, what would she be like?
Who was your favorite mother in the movie? Why was she your favorite?
Movie Details
- In theaters: May 13, 1994
- On DVD or streaming: September 28, 1994
- Cast: Sissy Spacek , Anna Chlumsky , Aaron Michael Metchik
- Director: Tia Brelis
- Inclusion Information: Female actors
- Studio: First Look International
- Genre: Family and Kids
- Run time: 82 minutes
- MPAA rating: PG
- Last updated: January 5, 2023
Inclusion information powered by
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.
Suggest an Update
Where to Watch
Our Editors Recommend
Best Family Comedy Movies
Best Movies for Family Movie Night
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
See how we rate