Parents' Guide to

Coming Home

By Melissa Camacho, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 10+

Many touching moments in military family reunions.

TV Lifetime Television Reality TV 2011
Coming Home Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this TV show.

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age 11+

Based on 2 parent reviews

thesavants08
thesavants08 Parent of 2-year-old
April 7, 2011
age 12+

Great Reminder to Everyone about the Sacrifices made Daily by Military Families!

As a military spouse and family I can hardly make it through an episode without crying. I love that this is on tv so people do not forget while they go about their daily lives that there is still a war going on. Reunions are the best part of deployments. I don't recommend it for kids under 12 because in general they might not understand what's going on.

This title has:

Great messages
Great role models
my mother
my mother Parent of 11-year-old
March 11, 2011
age 10+

Touching!

Love it! But my daughter won't watch it because it is too mushy!

This title has:

Great messages
Great role models
See all 2 parent reviews

What's the Story?

COMING HOME is a heartwarming reality show featuring soldiers returning to their families in surprising ways. Each episode features host Matt Rogers working with real military spouses and/or other family members to plan the ultimate surprise -- reuniting their returning soldier with unsuspecting loved ones. The soldiers, who are coming back from active service in Iraq, Afghanistan, and other global destinations, spend their first hours back in town hiding in closets, unexpectedly appearing at school assemblies, and even dressing up as a medieval swordsman, in order to make an unforgettable reappearance. Home videos of soldiers' fun and heartwarming returns around the country are also featured.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say: (2 ):
Kids say: Not yet rated

The series features lots of emotional moments, as active members of all five branches of the military return to loved ones who have eagerly waited for their safe return. Scenes featuring children are especially moving, and underscore how difficult it has been to live without their mother or father.

The reunions are entertaining and heartwarming to watch. But it is the show's efforts to celebrate and honor the men, women, and children who have made -- and who still are making -- sacrifices in service of their country that make it inspiring.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about the emotions evoked by this show. What are the emotions you feel watching the reunions? Do those emotions impact your thoughts and feelings about war and the military? What is the purpose of a show like this?

  • Wars and other violent conflicts are often featured in movies, TV shows, video games, and other forms of media as a source of entertainment. How do these violent media impact the way we think about war and other violent confrontations?

  • What are some of the challenges military families face? What issues does this show leave out?

TV Details

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