Where have you gone Carole Brady?
From the Secret Life of a Soccer Mom and All My Children to Desperate Housewives and The New Adventures of Old Christine, today’s TV moms are entertaining, but they’re anything but parenting role models. Here’s a look at some TV parents behaving badly.
Desperate Housewives:
While all of the ladies of Wisteria Lane have had their unflattering mommy moments at some point or another, Bree Van De Kamp’s rank right up there with shock value. On a recent episode, she insisted on having baby Ben share her bed with Orson since she doesn’t want to make the same mistakes she made with her first children. The problem is, she said it a little too loud and her older son Andrew overheard it. He makes a point of saying he’s a responsible adult with his own job, car and health insurance and that she’s been too busy to notice. Not to mention she kicked him out of the house two years ago.
All My Children:
Sure, we know soap operas have a dramatic appeal, but when it comes to appalling behavior, Erica Kane takes the cake. Between her sordid past and her non-motherly behavior, she’s certainly not a poster parent. Whether it was stabbing her eighth husband (yes, eighth!) after hallucinating he was her rapist from years past or becoming addicted to prescription pain killers, her daughter Kendall and son Josh are doomed to lives of soap opera-style drama (which, in their cases, is sort of appropriate).
The New Adventures of Old Christine:
Single mother Christine is certainly not your typical mother, though she’s got a good heart. Consider this: In season one, she is concerned her son Ritchie is too young to be exposed to sex, drugs, and rock and roll. Initially, she forbids him going to a Rolling Stones concert with his dad. Eventually she relents, panics, and decides to sneak into the concert to keep tabs on him.
Keeping Up with the Kardashians:
This “momager” of five daughters and one son puts out publicity fires, schedules appearances, and cooks, too. But there is a time when you can be a little too supportive. For instance, when vixen daughter Kim bared it all for Playboy, this mom was all for her daughter disrobing for the world (and pimply teenaged boys) to see. For us conservative types, well – we felt it was kind of un-Momlike.
The Secret Life of a Soccer Mom:
The tagline says it all: “What if one decision could send your life in a completely different direction?” While the show’s premise is about the SAHM vs. Working Mom debate, it’s hardly an accurate portrayal of women who can excel at both. Remember the episode where Jeannie had the opportunity to fulfill a dream by attending the Police Academy? After one of her four kids ends up in the emergency room, though, she struggles to keep up. When confronted with the decision to stay at home or pursue her dream, her husband abruptly makes the decision for her. Luckily he set her straight, otherwise we’d be left with yet another Mom in the spotlight with a case of messed-up priorities. Kid in the hospital always trump work — any good mom knows that!
One Life to Live:
She’s strong and powerful, but Dorian Lord is also vindictive and cunning. When her daughter, Adriana Cramer, had a menacing stalker her boyfriend Rex took her to a remote beach house for safety and refuge. While there, she discovered that Rex had secretly stalked her in order to be the one to save her. In actuality, though, Dorian framed Rex so Adriana would dump him. Now that’s what we call overprotective!
Michelle Brunetti works for TheCuteKiddotcom, the most respected and fastest growing baby photo contest with 1.7 million members. TheCuteKid baby modeling contest is judged by Entertainment Industry Professionals and awards over $100,000 in prizes annually. Do You Have a CuteKid?
