Parents' Guide to

Raising Sextuplets

By Emily Ashby, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 8+

Couple counts blessings amid chaos of toddlerhood.

TV WE Reality TV 2009
Raising Sextuplets Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

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

Community Reviews

See all
age 2+

Based on 1 parent review

newportmommy
newportmommy Parent of 2 and 4-year-old
September 1, 2009
age 2+

This title has:

Great messages
See all 1 parent review

What's the Story?

When Jenny and Bryan Masche dreamed of having a baby, they couldn't have imagined that their hopes might be answered six times over. But that's just what happened when their sextuplets -- Savannah, Bailey, Grant, Cole, Molli, and Blake -- were born in 2007, and life for this loving couple hasn't been the same since. In RAISING SEXTUPLETS, the Masches share the moments of joy and chaos that come along with life with six energetic toddlers.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say: (1 ):
Kids say: Not yet rated

Society's fascination with watching other people's lives gives birth to yet another reality series documenting the extreme circumstances of a family with multiples. For those familiar with series like Jon & Kate Plus 8, there are no surprises here, as most of the show chronicles how Bryan and Jenny manage the logistics of such a large family and work to make time for their own pursuits, too. The content is at different times engaging, funny, and heartwarming, and the Masches' parenting woes are relatable for parents of any number of kids.

The show's mere existence regenerates familiar issues that haunt reality TV as a whole, including the possibility of exploitation (the kids have no say in whether they're being filmed, after all) and the question of whether what's shown is truly is reality or just an act for the cameras. That said, there are some positive points about Raising Sextuplets, most notably the respectful relationship between Bryan and Jenny, who communicate their feelings without harsh words, respect each other's individuality, and support each other's personal goals. What's more, the show focuses on everyday events like celebrating holidays and enjoying an occasional dinner out -- rather than flaunting the special privileges that the family's celebrity affords them -- keeping the content on par with most viewers' experiences.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about reality TV. Do you think this show gives an accurate view of this family's life? Are there any aspects of it
    that you think couldn't be realistic?

  • How do you think reality TV
    affects our view of society and how we look at our own lives? Is it all
    in fun, or might there be consequences from our infatuation with this
    type of entertainment?

  • Families can also discuss how the Masches handle the challenges of their large family. How does
    their family lifestyle compare to your own?

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.

See all recommended tv lists

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