Children Ruin Everything

I'm not crazy about sitcoms, I'm not crazy about kids, and I'm definitely not crazy about sitcoms about kids. Furthermore, the first review - a 10/10 - posted before the show even aired, and that's never a good sign. But it turns out this show is actually pretty funny.

The premise is a simple one - a couple approaching 40 with two kids trying to figure out if having kids is really worth the sacrifice. The stay-at-home mom has an opportunity to return to work, but she is getting seduced over to the dark side (aka having a third kid) by every adorable baby she sees. Meanwhile, the two she already has could be poster children for Ritalin, and dad wouldn't mind going back to being a two-income family. Real-world issues served up in a very funny way.

The downside is it's super-woke. The parents are always banging on about gender stereotyping, etc., and validating each other's feelings, all the marriages/relationships are interracial, and there are very few white actors. It's all done in a funny way, but I am still wondering if this show is set in some other part of the world...

Bottom line - i'm watching again, and if a sitcom about kids can win me over, it has to be good. ;-)

EDIT 02/02/22: Ok this show is growing on me fast. It's actually hilarious and although the characters are "over-performing", it works. The episodes are real-world parenting issues told in the most entertaining way. All cast (including the newest ones) are all excellent, and Letterkenny's Lisa Codrington as Marla is funny af. Meaghan Rath and Aaron Abrams are perfectly cast and their chemistry works like a charm. The little brats are still cute as ever. I'm upping my score to a 8/10. Can't wait to see what the writers come up with next.

Original review: If you're considering having kids, this show might change your mind. So far so good for the pilot. All the funny stuff shown in the TV trailers was pretty much in this episode, and was still funny. The cast and performances were spot on, and the little brats were, well, brats. For now it's a 7/10 because I've seen everything in the trailers and knew what I'd get, so let's see what the next episodes give us.

For those who don't have a stick up their bottom about how perfect they and their kids are, you'll love this show!

For those whose reviews were insultingly bragging about how perfect they and their kids were, wait for the therapy bill when they get older, and be prepared to probably die alone, while they resent you for never letting them behave like children when they were children? And maybe pull the stick out a little since it is only a television show?

Hubby and I loved this show and how lighthearted it was! It didn't take itself too seriously, cover a lot of relatable topics, and, despite what some of the reviews say, does give some comparison to different parenting styles as well as opinions on having children at all.

Hubby and I love the show however everything lisa codrington acts during the show makes me fast forward past her scene. Her overacting doesnt' match the rest of the show and throws the mojo off. I cant stand it. I am almost at the point of not watching anymore. It has become a real distraction. Not impressed with her. Take her out and put more focus on the family with a new boss lady! Lisa codrington is likely a great actress however, her over the top character doesn't do the show any justice. I love the new direction of how the show might end up. Loving all the other characters and new baby. Hope the management sees my opinion. I do love the show just without lisa.

I started with, I realize now, a certain bias. Meaghan Rath was in my opinion too pretty for this show. But oh my god was I wrong! Her comedic timing is SO good she often has me guffawing.

My daughter keeps telling me "they weren't like that" but all you parents out there know better.

I absolutely like the "wrong" humour the parents have, saying unforgiveable stuff about their kids. Been there, done that.

The couple is very believable and they really seem to have been together for years, they do it right.

When it comes down to it, it is always you 2 against the world (or so it feels). Best comedy since Married with Children.