Parents' Guide to

Return to Amish

By Melissa Camacho, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 14+

Ex-Amish cast returns with drinking, smoking, mature themes.

TV TLC Reality TV 2014
Return to Amish Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

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

Community Reviews

See all
age 10+

Based on 4 parent reviews

CASS S.
CASS S. Adult
May 2, 2023
age 8+

Zero interest for kids or adults!

Kids will have zero interest in this and this season is without drama. I do not see anything to be concerned about. They can find out a tiny amount about Amish. (what they wear, how they seem dumb, weird). The show was interesting when it first started (years ago) It was interesting, but each season got dramatically worse and in a BAD way! Information leaked that it was not all genuine ( go figure, a reality show faked). It did seem pretty genuine initially. Clearly, they did not enlist others that were willing to leave the Amish for tv. There are respectful Amish! To keep having the same people over and over with same story lines is not interesting. SOOO glad Mary is gone!! She was vile. This would be a great show for Amish to watch so they can see what happens when they leave. I am serious on this one! They are horribly uneducated and the show seems to enjoy revealing just how unintelligent and ignorant they are. Maureen and her non Amish bf are too creepy for tv! Noone wants to see such creepy characters as Mary, maureen and her ikky man. These chicks that are unsure about amish vs real world are both pregnant. Soo isnt that a big one??? You cannot be seen without your hat but can get pregnant? The boys are immature, cocky fools! Lets drink and pick up girls! The fighting is not as bad as previous seasons (Jeremiah has chilled)One kid wanted to be the first amish to play college basketball. LOL!!! Seriously, they are clueless and arrogant. They do not play basketball in their world and he had never played the actual game, but thought he could just join. So, not even thinking about the fact that he is uneducated...... sure, no prob dude. The show has zero characters or storylines of interest! It is nice to know Sabrina and Jeremiah seemed to have grown up and off the drugs, but clearly poor and popping out kids she can not afford. TLC needs to rethink their reality show ideas!
CyTV
CyTV Parent of 11-year-old
November 18, 2018
age 11+

You Bad Show

... you cancer

This title has:

Too much drinking/drugs/smoking
See all 4 parent reviews

What's the Story?

RETURN TO AMISH features the original cast of Breaking Amish as they continue negotiating the secular world. After returning from Florida, Mary Schmucker decides to throw a holiday celebration for her Amish and English friends. Along with her husband Chester, they bring together sons Andrew and Abe, as well as Abe's wife Rebecca and Jeremiah, Sabrina, and Kate, who has remained in New York City to pursue her modeling career. Also joining them is Abe and Andrew's sister Katie Ann, who has returned to the Amish life, and Chapel, Andrew's English girlfriend. Lots of things have changed among the cast, but somehow old wounds are opened, and lots of drama is created, all of which leads to new conflicts and adventures. But throughout it all, they somehow remind each other that they are still, in their own unique way, family.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say: (4 ):
Kids say: Not yet rated

Return to Amish contains all the drama one has come to expect from the franchise, from bitter arguments about previous relationships to coping with life changes such as motherhood. Some of the tensions among family members who are still a part of the Amish community, and among the ex-Amish and ex-Mennonite cast, also are featured.

As with its sister show, Return to Amish contains lots of scenes designed to humorously highlight the divide between the Amish world and the English world. But most of these seem staged, and overall it's hard to take the show seriously. Fans of the franchise will enjoy it, but it doesn't particularly contain a lot of positive messages.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about what makes subcultures such as the Amish and Mennonites interesting subjects for reality television. Is it the members' decision to live apart from the secular world that makes them interesting or significant to others?

  • What is the history of the Amish, the Mennonites, and other faith-based subcultures in the United States? Is the way the media portrays them an accurate reflection of who they are and what their history in America is? Do they rely on and reinforce stereotypes? Or are they creating them?

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