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PremiereWatch: 'Baby Borrowers'
I have a child. At two years-old, she's no longer a baby, but she's still pretty young. I can state with absolute certainty that I would never hand off my child to some teenagers so that said teens could take care of her for a few days. Happily, other parents had no such qualms, and it is for that reason that NBC was able to bring us the premiere of Baby Borrowers this evening.
As explained to us, the producers found five teenage couples that really wanted kids, set each couple up in a house, gave them jobs, and handed infants to them. As it's not my child, it's an awesome idea.
The five couples the series will be following are Kelsey & Sean (in their intro Kelsey said they're ready to have kids, Sean disagreed), Kelly & Austin (they seemed more unified on it being a good idea), Morgan & Daton (they were going to break up until they realized they could do an experiment and be on TV), Sasha & Jordan (they also seem pretty organized), and Alicea & Cory (Alicea figures that it's better to have kids when you're younger so you can relate more).
Let's of course dispense with the idea that what we saw was in any way realistic. The teens weren't given the usual 9 months to adjust to the notion of having children, and in fact only had two days by themselves before the babies showed up. For accuracy's sake, the girls did have to wear a pregnancy belly thing for a full day. And, thank goodness for small favors, they did have to attend a baby care class.
Kelly was instantly displeased. She hated the belly, Austin didn't ask her how she felt about it, he laughed at her having to wear it, and consequently she didn't want to attend the class. If we needed any proof, Kelly, who was more interested in looking good going out of the house than looking pregnant (which she could have easily assumed to be a part of the whole show), shouldn't have a child at this point in time, she's simply not ready. Austin headed to the hospital without her, and I applaud him for that.
Eventually, despite not believing he was wrong, Austin apologized to Kelly for his attending the class and chuckling when he saw the fake belly. Austin is clearly very close to being ready for marriage, he recognizes the ultimate rule of marriage – say "I'm sorry." It doesn't matter if you're wrong or right, just say "I'm sorry" and suck it up.
After assembling some baby furniture and having a swell cook out, the next morning, and the babies, arrived. The real parents all sat down with the teens, handed them a binder, and talked to them about, essentially, not killing their child. The babies all needed to be fed, changed, put to bed, and maybe even bathed every once in a while.
Frankly, I think having a binder to tell the teens what to do is cheating. Surely the teens could have figured out all that stuff and no baby really needs Gerber brand water and only Gerber brand water anyway.
It was at that point that the show reiterated that the parents were monitoring the goings-on from a house across the street and that they could intervene at any time. It was also stated that there would be a nanny in each house watching the couples and making sure that all the children lived. The nannies couldn't intervene save for the child's being in dire need, but they were there.
Okay, that made me feel a lot better about the whole thing. It's cheating, but it made me feel better.
After a few minutes of bonding bliss among the couples, it all started to come apart again. The men went out to the grocery store, leaving the girls at home. For their part, the girls seemed either bored (if the baby was sleeping) or upset (if the baby wasn't). I get the upset, but I don't get the bored bit. Was there no TV? Was there no phone? Who are these kids that they can't get lost in some mindless television show or talking to the BFF back home for 30 or 40 minutes?
One of the not sleeping kids was Karson and it didn't take long for Karson's mom to head across the street to explain to Alicea that Karson needed to eat at some point during that day. Mommy, inexplicably, felt as though her child needed nutrition and tried to persuade Alicea that children, even if they balked, ought to have some sort of sustenance. After mom left, Alicea seemed almost ready to quit the entire experiment. She was upset that Karson's mom would dare come over and tell her that maybe she wasn't doing things right.
Alicea should take solace from the fact that she wasn't the only teen to get a visit from mom and/or dad. Daton and Morgan saw little Miley's dad and Kelsey and Sean saw Etta's mom. None of the children were really in danger, and parenting skills were discussed, but only Daton really seemed to take the suggestions to heart.
At the end of the day, and episode, tears abounded, both on the teens' and babies' sides.
Bits, pieces, odds, ends, and a question:
- Maybe Karson's mom jumped in too soon, but Alicea clearly isn't ready to be taking care of a baby. When told that one of the parents would have to go to work the next day, Alicea jumped at the chance, she wanted nothing to do with Karson anymore.
- Despite Sean's never having cared for kids before he got along really well with Etta during the day (not so much at night), much to Kelsey's chagrin. Etta didn't take to her nearly as well.
- So, you know that I'm not leaving my child with any of these teens (even as a babysitter if my daughter is fast asleep for the night). How about you, would you leave your child (either real or hypothetical) with any of the teens you saw tonight?
It may not be child friendly, but just FYI, The TV and Film Guy's Reviews is really swell.
I'm up for watching it just so I can tell my girlfriend, never get pregnant, never get pregnant!
DavidC | Jun 25, 2008 4:03:07 PM | #I'm up for watching it just so I can tell my girlfriend, never get pregnant, never get pregnant!
DavidC | Jun 25, 2008 4:08:42 PM | #I personally hope that all parents with teenagers watch this show with their kids.
Megz | Jun 25, 2008 5:17:12 PM | #I agree that something has to be done about teen pregnancy in the country. This show may be the right first stuff.
Kellie | Jun 25, 2008 5:19:26 PM | #Did you mean step? Yeah, I agree parents should watch with their kids and talk about safe sex. get involved heads in the sand does no good.
taylor b. | Jun 25, 2008 5:30:31 PM | #Yes I did mean first step. sorry. It has to start somewhere, right? Sex Ed. in schools obviously isn't working.
Kellie | Jun 25, 2008 5:32:40 PM | #stuip
cai | Jun 25, 2008 10:11:19 PM | #megz you dum and a cry baby
cami | Jun 25, 2008 10:12:30 PM | #megz i have a nefue and i take care of him it is not hard really and i am only 10. SO GET A LIFE AND STOP BEING A CRY BABY
cami | Jun 25, 2008 10:16:57 PM | #this is as bad "educational" reality show idea as Kid Nation...and, i'm going to watch every episode of this one, too!
i almost forgot how irrational, unapologetic, overemotional, and ill-equipped being a teenager is!!
i wanted to slap the snot out of alicea, headbutt kelly, and choke austin(for apologizing for doing what they WENT ON THE SHOW TO DO).
teenagers are WAY TOO thick to get this by simply watching a tv show...the one's ON it might see some light, but even THAT isn't too likely.
fantastic trainwreck of an idea, though: first "kid nation", then "here come the newlyweds", now "baby borrowers".
keepin' family values alive through reality television...
it's the american way!!
NonImus | Jun 25, 2008 11:24:25 PM | #I for one - thought this was the funniest show ever. None of these kids should have children yet, they simply are not ready.
Denise | Jun 26, 2008 4:23:33 AM | #Me and my wife just had our first baby (7 weeks old) in our mid-30's. It has been tough for us even though we planned for it and knew what we were getting into from friends and family. Finally after 7 weeks we are starting to understand the baby's needs, our new relationship dynamics and new life with a child. These teens can't get all this in 3 days. Also it is obvious that few are not ready to be parents. Heck it took me and my wife a lot of serious discussion and soul searching to determine if we were ready!
The biggest flaw that I see with this "experiment" is the fact the child is not theirs. They didn't go through the whole pregnancy and childbirth process. When it is your child, the instant bond and love from birth is not reproducible. When we have a bad night with the baby, we just don't think that we can give it back or wait it out. Instead we are more concerned what does the baby need, what is she trying to tell us and how do we fulfill those needs. These teens see it as a game or a shot to be on tv. Hopefully their attitude changes, but I am not holding my breath.
Alicea's Shirt | Jun 26, 2008 4:53:45 AM | #
Good Show, I do believe it will be beneficial to some however just because Karson's parents are producers does not give her the right to charge over and attack Alecia. Most babies teething do not want to eat and having a bottle only is not going to hurt him AT ALL !! She could have taking a softer,nuturing approach to the situation. Maybe suggest ideas on how to warm up to Karson and get him to eat a little more. Or how about this ...SHOW THEM ??
cami--i hardly believe that you think you are ready to take care of kids because you babysit your nephew! You are 10 years old?! you can't even spell nephew yet. honey you need a reality check. Much like these teenagers do.
I thought is was hilarious when the one girl threw a tantrum when she had to go out in public lookin 'with child'. if she was really preggers she would have to go out lookin like that everyday.
but this is a great experiment to show how naive teens are in thinkin they can be parents just because they want to have sex. great form of birth control. I hope this scares teens out of their knickers
The kids on the show are going to get bored as the producers of the show did not allow them to have mags, books, tv, internet, or any communication with the outside world. They were trying to set up the show for drama.
In the Know | Jun 26, 2008 9:32:57 AM | #I liked how Austin and Sean and Cory stepped up into fatherhood when the girls were having trouble embracing motherhood. I also liked how Miley's dad gave the couple some encouragement and advice.
anlette | Jun 26, 2008 1:34:49 PM | #To David C, Here's a newsflash: your girlfriend can't get pregnant on her own. It takes two, baby. Too bad they didn't cover that on the show last night. As well as the fact that there is no birth control that is 100% effective.
Schmooz | Jun 26, 2008 4:48:17 PM | #"Eventually, despite not believing he was wrong, Austin apologized to Kelly for his attending the class and chuckling when he saw the fake belly. "
Here's where I think you're wrong. Austin did nothing wrong. Kelly was been overly sensitive. If you can't laugh at yourself, who can you laugh at?
Monique | Jul 23, 2008 10:45:01 PM | #
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