Maternity leave is the perfect opportunity for new mothers to establish a lifelong bond with their newborn babies. But after countless sleepless nights and numerous pukey poop-filled days — the allure of motherhood looks a lot less…alluring.
What’s equally as important as bonding with the child is that a mother gets her much-needed rest and some time to herself. That’s why I’ve gone and selected 15 perfect TV shows for new moms to watch during their maternity leave .
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‘Scrubs’
Of all the many sitcoms to come out of the early ’00s, Scrubs is easily the most underrated of the bunch. In the blink of an eye, this real-life inspired series will have you going from rolling with laughter to bawling your eyes out uncontrollably.
‘Parks And Recreation’
If you loved The Office then you’re going to absolutely adore Parks and Recreation . Leslie Knope (Amy Poehler) is nothing short of inspiring, and her hilarious antics, along with those of the Pawnee Parks Dept, are always fun to watch.
‘New Girl’
New Girl is a show for all those still trying to perfect the complicated trapeze act that comes from balancing love and your career. If you feel like you’re this close to figuring life out, then New Girl is the show for you.
‘Queer Eye’
Few shows, if any, are as cathartic as Queer Eye . At times, it can feel like an emotional rollercoaster. And whether you’re gay, straight, or anything else in-between — watching Antoni Porowski in the kitchen is always a feast for the eyes.
‘Schitt’s Creek’
Schitt’s Creek is the series that made me believe in Canadian television. This show is the living embodiment of “The Little Engine That Could.” It keeps chugging along until you have no other option but to fall in love with it.
‘Love Is Blind’
I know that on paper, the last thing a new mom needs in her life is more drama. However, watching love bloom from inside the pods is an experience that no other reality TV show can offer you.
‘The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel’
The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel is almost Shakespearean at times. The way that the dramatic irony plays out makes you feel as if you’re watching a play, as opposed to a sitcom. Combine that with an absolutely spellbinding performance by Rachel Brosnahan and you’ve got the makings of your next favorite TV show.
‘How I Met Your Mother’
I’m of the firm belief that every single person in their late 20s/early 30s should watch How I Met Your Mother . The characters are eerily relatable and the chemistry between the actors is positively top-notch.
‘Maid’
Everything you’ve heard about Maid is true. The writing is out-of-this-world, the acting is superlative, and the story is enticing beyond words. Maid is easily one of the best new TV dramas of this decade, without any exaggeration whatsoever.
‘Superstore’
People like to brush off Superstore as being yet another repackaged pseudo-version of The Office . And while there are undoubtedly similarities between the two shows, Superstore is arguably an even better example of the dizzying heights that a true ensemble cast can achieve together.
‘Friends’
I know you’ve watched it before, but the fact of the matter is that there’s never a bad time to watch (or rewatch) Friends . The iconic series is just as popular today as it was when it debuted nearly 30 years ago. That has to count for something.
‘Grey’s Anatomy’
Grey’s Anatomy isn’t my favorite series by any means, but it checks all the boxes. It has drama, action, strong writing (up to a point), and affords its audience plenty of opportunity for an emotional release. If all that isn’t enough, there are also 18 seasons to occupy your time.
‘Cheer’
I was hesitant at first, but now I can say without hesitation that Cheer might just be the best sports docu-series ever produced. The suspense of the second season is palpable, so much so that you could easily burn through the entire series in a single afternoon.
‘Good Girls’
At its core, Good Girls is all about subverting the societal norms regarding women and middle-aged mothers. It reinforces the idea that a woman can choose to be whatever she wants — even a criminal mastermind and counterfeiter if she so chooses.
‘Workin’ Moms’
If you’re tired of constantly being presented with the beautiful side of motherhood, you’ll definitely enjoy Workin’ Moms . Creator Catherine Reitman is all about showing motherhood as it pertains to women in the real world: the good, the bad, and the ugly.
