Parents' Guide to

Stuck in the Middle

By Emily Ashby, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 6+

Heartwarming comedy pokes fun at chaotic family life.

TV Disney Channel Comedy 2016
Stuck in the Middle Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

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

Community Reviews

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age 7+

Based on 21 parent reviews

Raisingaminnie
Raisingaminnie Adult
March 5, 2020
age 2+

Cute family show

This show somewhat reminds me of Cheaper By The Dozen with the chaotic large family life. I found this on Disney+ and I’ve actually enjoyed watching it as an adult as well. Some children’s shows can be a bit on the annoying side, but this one isn’t. I rated it 2+ as I have a toddler and there hasn’t been anything that I felt uncomfortable with her watching.

This title has:

Great messages
Great role models
1 person found this helpful.
basletblknjq24
basletblknjq24 Adult
January 19, 2021
age 9+

The best disney show for my tweens and up.

I think that this show is good for kids to learn that every bad action comes with a consequence. Kids will have good times while watching this show. Make sure your kids know that these are some crazy but fake ideas and You should never try to do them. The main idea about this show is there are a lot of kids and it is a crazy household but never ending fun and action.
See all 21 parent reviews

What's the Story?

As the fourth in a family of seven kids, 12-year-old Harley Diaz (Jenny Ortega) is used to being STUCK IN THE MIDDLE as her needs are overlooked among her siblings -- Rachel (Ronni Hawk), Ethan (Isaak Presley), Georgie (Kayla Maisonet), Lewie (Nicolas Bechtel), Beast (Malachi Barton), and Daphne (Ariana Greenblatt). It's not so bad, and she knows that her parents (Joe Nieves and Cerina Vincent) do their best, but sometimes it would be nice to be the one about whom all the fuss is made, you know? So in an effort to stand out from the crowd, Harley puts her creativity to good use, inventing clever ways to turn attention her way.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (21):
Kids say (78):

Reflecting the chaotic goings-on in the oversized Diaz household, this fun comedy runs at a helter-skelter pace on the heels of its fresh-faced main character. Ortega commands this role, pleading her case as a long-suffering middle kid while finding the humor in the many calamities that befall her efforts to shine. The bigger picture paints a comical impression of family life in general, and it's surprisingly refreshing to see a presentation of the messy, imperfect nature of busy, rambunctious households.

Stuck in the Middle is optimal fare for families, as many of Harley's issues will ring familiar for kids with any number of siblings, and parents can relate to her parents' harried efforts to keep the family seams together. Also a pleasure are the Diazes' exchanges with their busybody neighbor, Bethany, whose condescending disapproval of their lifestyle makes for some hilarious exchanges.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about sibling relationships in Stuck in the Middle. If your kids have brothers and sisters, do the Diaz characters' experiences ring true with their own? What makes sibling relationships so challenging? On the other hand, what are the benefits of having brothers and sisters?

  • Do TV shows and movies show family life in a believable light? What aspects are believable to you? Does this show stray from the norm in how it embraces imperfections? Do you like its take on hectic family life or not?

  • How does Harley use her experiences to inspire her inventions? Can you think of ways to make life easier or more efficient for yourself and your family?

  • How do the characters in Stuck in the Middle demonstrate compassion and gratitude? Why are these important character strengths?

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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