Will You Be Watching TLC's Must Love Kids This Tuesday?

Are you planning to watch TLC's new reality TV show, Must Love Kids? It's a dating show featuring three single moms in search of "Mr. Right." On the first show, which will air tomorrow night at 9:00 p.m. (ET), the moms are scheduled to meet their suitors and start whittling down the selection to a few men they'd like to potentially date.

In a recent press release, TLC explains the inspiration behind the show:

"With an estimated 10.4 million single mothers in the U.S., these three single moms will undoubtedly inspire others to take the initiative and focus on their own happiness, while still being able to balance the responsibilities of a single parent. It's a real-life journey of love and family in an original relationship series unlike any other."

Jen's Thoughts: Let's see. Am I going to watch the show? Yes, I admit that I'm curious to know more about it. Also, I do think that it's possible for viewers to come away from it with a greater inclination to acknowledge and pursue their own needs and desires, which can be a good thing. (And if you're a frequent reader of this blog, you probably already know that I'm a big proponent of the philosophy that taking care of yourself makes you a better parent!) So, I concede that some good can potentially come out of it, if the show is done well.

I'd also like to think that, if done well, the show could shed some light on the sheer breadth of the responsibilities single parents bear each and every day, and how challenging it is to make time for yourself.

However, I also have big concerns for any woman - and her children, by proxy - whose private life is being publicized for the sake of entertainment, and I fear the participants will have little control over what gets aired or how that content is presented. In the producers' minds, will the show be a success only if the moms find "a match," or is the journey itself - learning more about the qualities you're looking for, discovering what makes you desirable, and gaining experience with the balancing act of pursuing your own interests while still putting your kids first - going to be enough for them?

Questions for Our Community: What are your thoughts? Are you planning to watch the show? Do you have any reservations or concerns? Do you feel it could possibly bring more respect overall to the role of single parenthood in our culture? Share your thoughts here on the blog by leaving a comment below.

More: Watch the Trailer for Must Love Kids

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