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Parents' Guide to

Mother Funders

By Melissa Camacho, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 14+

Reality show about parent organization full of drama.

TV Bravo Reality TV 2015
Mother Funders 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?

MOTHER FUNDERS is a reality series featuring the dedicated members of a Georgia public school parent/teacher organization, or PTO. The small southern town of Locust Grove does what it can to help meet the financial needs of its public school, and it's up to the PTO, headed by Carla Stephens, to provide the fundraising leadership necessary to accomplish its goals. While Carla; her vice president, Shayzon Prince; and her secretary, LaShon Thompson enjoy the prestige and power they believe running the organization gives them, others, such as volunteer coordinator Amber Bryant (who happens to be married to former NFL player Fernando Bryant), know they're really there thanks to their connections to wealthy donors. Rounding out the group is new member Amber Coulter, who feels like a fish out of water, and Robin Dyke, who has a difficult time negotiating Carla's passionate-but-autocratic leadership style. Their focus is supposed to be on improving their kids' public education, but somehow these moms manage to make it all about them.

Is It Any Good?

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

The series offers a voyeuristic look into the small world of the Locust Grove parent/teacher organization, which many of its members treat like the biggest, most important thing in their (and everyone else's) lives. It also highlights how membership to groups such as this one potentially offers moms some status within the community, as well as a chance to socialize with people other than their children.

Though there's no doubt that parent/teacher organizations across the country attempt to support their schools in positive ways, this shows' focus on the cliquey, immature behavior among women makes it difficult to take the kind of work they do seriously. But if you're only looking for some typical and superficial reality fare, this show fits the bill.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about PTOs. What is their primary function? How do schools benefit from having them?

  • What messages does this show send about professional relationships among women? Are the presentations here stereotypical? Or are they unique?

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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