Idea for new parenting advice TV show based on Mumsnet Talk - your thoughts/input needed

mn did once have a programme didn't it on living i think, years ago - that was quite good

On a boring note, I am really not sure about this at all,
the main thing that MN has taught me about parenting is that everyone does it differently and you have to find your own way.

I think that if there is a way of getting that over and that there are very few "rules" of parenting aside from feed them clothe them love them.

Thanks Katisha. Grim.

I remember the original mumsnet TV show - 'Mums the word' - 6 years ago? That was visiting families with specific issues and sharing advice from mumsnet - anyone else remember it?

Clip of Houseparty on here if you scroll down a bit
Gripping stuff.

Corny- no. Just no

Squeaver that thing was called "Houseparty". It was grim. They even had a nun at one point I remember, to do the moral bits.

it would be good to do as a trade secrets sort of programme, but that was only on 10 mins

especially if BOF brings her iphone

I think it would work if you filmed each episode straight after a meet up.

It would probablyneed to go out quite late.

hmm not sure, it's going ahead already though isn't it

What would be really interesting would be to see the different parenting 'problems' in all their gruesome detail, like One Born Every Minute. So the TV prog is a fly on the wall for the first 8 weeks with a newborn, showing the reality of all the sleepless nights, the early breastfeeding problems, the baby blues etc. Film four different families at the same stage with their child 24-7 and then contrast and compare the different styles and their 'results', cut with comments from mums who have been there and done that and conclude that in the end every child basically turns out fine, there are just loads of different ways of getting there...

I think that the charm of MN is that you can avoid discussing children altogether. If it's a show about parenting, I'm out

I think that the two main strengths of MN are 1) the anonymity 2) the range of people that post, and therefore the range of opinions expressed.
The anonymity thing is crucial, I think as people are more honest in their questions, and their answers. I can't see how this would relate to TV.

squeaver Yes, i remember it. That's exactly what I thought of when I read the OP.
It was like being round at one of your mum's friends houses, lots of chat and women with big hair and frilly blouses.

Didn't you already do this once, years ago? I'm sure I remember seeing some kind of Mumsnet television series thing with Justine and Carrie when I was pregnant with DS, or possibly when he was a baby. Or is that a hallucination born of too much cheese?

Another vote for 'Not like Loose Women' please. I can see how the format of 'Te Wright Stuff' might work with lots of participation, but I like the idea of the format of 'The One Show' where you intersperse with VTs of the issues, maybe like pram testing or showing a labour ward, or something... Good luck with it though - bit of a mission to get it right!

I'd just like to add at this point (in case it does come to fruition) that I have a face for television, the camera loves me, and I do have a certain je ne sais quoi which would puts me in a prime position to represent Mumsnet in this exciting new venture. :o

There are way too many shows with a 'problem family' featured trying to resolve 'an issue' : Supernanny, Supersize v Superskinny etc etc. How could you have a load of conflicting views put together to make a coherent programme? Here's how

First part of show: loads of sofas and coffee/wine/ biscuits. Loads of mumsnetters, and one of them starts a discussion about 'an issue' (my lovely ds keeps having nightmares/ won't eat fish/ etc' - cue loads of chat and advice and solutions (like with your mates) so NOT a focus on one terrible family that needs solving.

Then that one goes off, is filmed trying out the advice she likes, comes back and chats about it the following week, before next problem is aired.

I want to be on telly am very good at sharing my practical opinions on parenting raising btw

If it is to be scheduled as a day time or early evening show, I can't see it being 'allowed' to be anything other than 'beige' in its format, which Mumsnet is anything but. I'm also wary of vulnerable families under the spotlight with their problems being exploited in a voyeuristic judgeypantness kind of way, which is sometimes how these things can go.
A question time type of theme might be good, but I would be concerned about people with really extreme views saying their bit, which might be great for ratings but largely not particularly helpful for those having problems.
squeaver I remember that show, I think it may have had Mary Parkinson and Mavis someone or other.

Reading all of these ideas leads me to believe that the only way it would truly represent MN is if it is a free for all. Which would not work on TV.

Really, I can't think of any website that has translated to TV. Ever see Shit My Dad Says the TV Show? It was awful, but the website/twitter feed was hysterical.

This is writing. That is talking. It really doesn't go well one to the other.

Format it like Grumpy Old Women, just call is Miserable Old Mothers or something. Humour v important in child rearing!