Parents' Guide to

Honey We're Killing the Kids

By Sierra Filucci, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 11+

Change habits or die early -- for tweens and up.

TV TLC Reality TV 2005
Honey We're Killing the Kids Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

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

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What's the Story?

In TLC's lifestyle-makeover reality show HONEY WE'RE KILLING THE KIDS, parents learn that they may be putting their children at risk for future health problems because of choices they're making today. In a format similar to Nanny 911, families get new rules intended to improve their lifestyle and their chances for the future. Parents see computer-generated time-lapse photos of their children as they might age, given their current lifestyle and body measurements. The results aren't pretty: Kids turn into overweight, dull-skinned 40-year-olds before their parents' eyes. With three weeks to make some serious changes, parents and kids meet weekly with a fitness/nutrition expert to learn new household rules and receive helpful handbooks. While the weeks can seem like torture to the kids -- one even threatens to run away when his TV is taken out of his room -- in the end, serious progress is made. With less sugar in their diet, kids' behavior improves; less access to TV and video games helps them become more active; and time spent around the dinner table helps unite families.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say: Not yet rated
Kids say: Not yet rated

Honey We're Killing the Kids has all the annoying elements of a reality show: constant replaying of dramatic moments, meetings in an eerie gothic mansion, editing that may not tell the whole story, and a pat ending. But like Nanny 911 and Supernanny, the show aims to help real families who struggle with real problems. And to this end, the show does a good job promoting healthy ideas while staying away from labeling kids as "fat" or "lazy."

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about their own diet, exercise, and lifestyle habits and think about ways to improve them. How can kids (and parents) add more fruit and vegetables to their diets -- and less sugar and bad fats? Can kids think of ways to be more active and have fun at the same time? Why is it so important to limit time spent watching TV and playing video games? A possible activity: Think of everyday items that will help keep portion size in check -- like a deck of cards for a 3-ounce serving of meat, or a light bulb for a 1/2-cup serving of vegetables.

TV Details

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.

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