The Parent Test

This show is great and I love seeing everyone interact with each other. The problem I have is with the Stranger Test. This test was traumatizing and poorly conducted by network. You put 3 of 4 families in scenarios that they would NOT put their children in. The Wynne family(no disrespect) 'passed' but how would the kids do if they got separated from you in a crowd or a mall or park..maybe the parents should have been able to intervene so kids could see how their parents reacted to a stranger at the door. That should have been the test..not to terrify the kids about strangers in their own home. In your own ways parents you are all raising respectful, knowledgeable and durable lil humans that will be assets to this world!

The idea of this show is really clever and could be a seriously helpful tool for future or current parents to bounce ideas and learn possible better child caring practices. HOWEVER, the fault in this show is that not only are the parental styles competing, (even though some are SO similar) but they have the parents judging one another.

Some of these parents are downright abusive and delusional- and they are getting equal chance to pick the "best" parenting style. As you can guess, most parents favor styles similar to their own and reject styles that don't meet THEIR needs as adults and parents. It's frankly gross to see no interjection or actual child wellness professionals in this show. Who is there for the kids? The answer you soon find out is no one.

I was hoping for more learning from this show- but unfortunately it just kept validating my worst fears of parents and their own egos. Deeply disappointing, and I will only remember the few episodes I watched because of the disturbing parents that were allowed to abuse their kids for other's entertainment.

I rarely watch reality TV shows because of their often scripted and formulaic structure, but this show had me hooked from episode one! While it does incorporate some of the annoying reality TV elements - conversely, the participants, situations, and discussions feel refreshingly genuine and candid. I love how they've included a very diverse cross-section of American families of different races and ethnicities, lifestyles, marital status, faith traditions, economic status, and of course, parenting styles. I also love how the show and participants are generally balanced and respectful in discussing the positive and negative aspects of different parenting approaches. I think the main design flaw was making the show a competition. This just feels awkward and unrealistic most of the time. We all know there is no one perfect parenting style that works in every situation with every kid. The show itself has already demonstrated that. Why not just compare and discuss how different strategies play out in different situations between different parents and kids? Also, despite their individual styles, all of these parents seem to be some of the best America has to offer, so why artificially pit them against each other? Imagine what our nation would be like if every child grew up in a family like these!

Your blowing it Dr. Brown. Parenting like love is not competitive it is creative. This show uses well intended dedicated parents, for the growth of no one. Most offensive is the premise that trust is only for the immediate nuclear family, that the world is full of predators (Dr. Browns words)and children who trust huggable neighbors have somehow failed. That is an insult to the whole process. Well intended or not, this show is folly. Parenting is collaborative, parents don't compete they share and grow. They all desire the best outcome. I learned in facilitating hundreds of parent seminars that the wisdom in the room is collective not at a podium. Likely this show is in the can already. I challenge you to set aside the ego and bring your A game with a better formatted approach. Anything but a win win process fails children in play. For their sample do better. Please.

This could have been great! Quit viewing before the final episode when the show loses all value and the media views are being pushed onto parents. Up until then the respectful and debate style of the show is inspirational and parents get a chance to Explain and defend their parenting style. It was great to see parents who are parenting with purpose. Each families purpose was different, which was a real eye opener and educational. I think parents in all seasons could find something positive to take away from the show. It would have been better had all the groups participated in the same tests instead of only 3 at a time and I would love to see a follow up. Did any of the parents incorporate any of the other parenting styles into their parenting. How are the children faring now and as adults?