TLC launched a new show last night called The Secret Life of a Soccer Mom. They are finding women who have been stay at home moms for several (many?!) years, and giving them a shot to ‘go back in time’ and regain the dream careers they left behind to raise their families.
Now, I’m not much of a TV kind of gal, but when I do watch, it’s usually TLC. With this new show they are finally shining a spotlight on one of the biggest under-served issues in motherhood :: leaving and re-entering the workforce (hello, why did it take so #$^& long?!). In fact, it’s such a strong need with women in their 30’s and 40’s, Shannon Hutton and I are going to be launching a blog soon dedicated to helping moms work through these difficult transitions.
I have to firstly give TLC and show host Tracey Gold a standing ovation for putting this show on the air in the first place. Interestingly, some moms that I consider some of my best blogging buddies in the industry aren’t so thrilled with the idea, and are being quite vocal about their concerns.
OOoooooohhh, controversy. Gotta love it. 
Here’s the TLC show description:
Being a stay at home mother is an all consuming career - and while most moms are wonderfully fulfilled by this choice, other women may wonder about the dreams they left behind. TLC’s new series The Secret Life of a Soccer Mom takes a stay-at-home mom and gives her a chance to secretly live the life she gave up to raise her family. Each hour-long episode profiles the story of a mom as she experiences what her life could have been like if she had chosen to juggle career and family. Guided by Tracey Gol, Mom spends one week outside of the carpool lane and back in the fast lane. The Secret Life of a Soccer Mom gives moms a chance to get back into the careers they left behind.
Episode I :: Adrian Stark
Without telling her family, stay-at-home mom Adrian Stark secretly goes back to work as a high-end fashion designer, while her doctor husband tends to their three girls.
Let me start out by agreeing with Char and Elizabeth on the one thing I just don’t get - why does the premise of the show entail these moms being secretive about this week in career nirvana? Nobody likes to see family members lying - even on reality TV. I guess it serves up a ‘dramatic twist’, but I think it is both unnecessary and undermines the great intentions of the show - to help women pursue a dream they put on hold. And I have to say the Mr. Mom segments were a little cliche - it’s an old joke that reinforces stereotypes.
But that’s all the negative things I have to say about it - the rest of the show was exciting, uplifting, and it even almost made me cry a couple of times. Adrian left the fashion industry 10 years prior to the making of this show, and she was crystal clear about the fact that she enjoyed every minute of the privilege of being a stay at home mom for such a long period of time. There were moments in the fashion designer’s office in which she was freaking out, wondering if she could pull it all off - and when she not only earned the respect of her coworkers, but they wanted to include her designs in a prestigious fashion show, she had one of those brilliantly beautiful moments where she realized that she was not only living her dream but succeeding at it… ah, it brings a tear to my eye again just thinking about it!
Honestly, I think the show started off well, and I can only hope they touch more mom’s lives as they move forward. Will it reignite the infamous Mommy Wars? I guess we can only wait and see about that one, but I give the show creators kudos for respecting both sides of motherhood in this episode.
Want to get on the show?
From the looks of their preliminary TV schedule, they have filmed 5 pilot episodes. Makes me think that there’s plenty of room for one (or ten!) of you to jump on this opportunity and hopefully experience a life-career-changing week yourselves!
From the Get on TLC page:
Celebrating Stay-at-Home Moms!
Are you or is someone you know a stay-at-home mom? Is your life filled with driving the kids from soccer practice, piano lessons, dance classes and back home with barely enough time to get food on the table? Do you feel like everyday is for someone else with no time left for you? If your answer is yes, TLC is looking for you to be a part of a wonderful new show celebrating “soccer moms”.If you’ve put your needs on the backburner to run a world of diapers, dishes and laundry, we want you! E-mail us your information at: soccermomcasting9@gmail.com
If any of you want me to put in a good word for you, I’ve got your back. 
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I didn’t see the show however, I will now. I wonder what we’ll do with the moms who have no prior career and will need to enter the work world. One of my young friends who is in her late 30’s was just told by her husband he’s leaving her for a 25 year old women. She is devastated as being a mom and good wife is all she knows.
I’m glad we’re helping women understand that being a stay at home mom is the best however, there is almost always a time they will need to step out of the dome and get into the work field. How do we help them? Are there sites they can refer to for support and help into this competitive work world? My friend knows she’ll have to work and with no prior career is really concerned….
My best,
Dorothy from grammology
remember to call gram
http://www.grammology.com
Dorothy Stahlnecker’s last blog post..A Bouquet of Edible Flowers Right in Your Back Yard (Guest Post, Cathy C.)
I saw the previews for the show for the last few weeks and actually missed the first show. It does seem like it would be a cute show just to get an idea of what other at home moms think.
WAHM Tara’s last blog post..Press Release 101
I think I would like to watch that show. It sounds interesting. I do agree with you about the sneaky aspect of not telling the family, but it’s TV! They need a few hooks!
windyridge’s last blog post..Snow Bathing?
I too wonder how they would handle a mom who wasn’t really in the work force before kids. Also, the things I wanted to do back then (geez, 20 years ago already??) I don’t really want to do now.
on top of that, I’m sort of in the part-time work force anyway. And I’ve had my own businesses and income generators off and on through the years.
I must be odd.
Andrea’s last blog post..Site of the week: Seshn
I actually kind of liked it. I thought a few parts were a little unrealistic, but overall, I think it’s great to show that moms can do it even after staying at home. I had the privelege of talking to Tracey Gold yesterday, and she seems totally cool and credible since she is a working mom too, so I think that will help the show.
selfmademom’s last blog post..From Growing Pains to Working Mom Role Model: An Interview with Tracey Gold
I meant to watch the show last night because after seeing the trailer, I just didn’t have very high hopes for the show. Rather than lying to their families, I would have rather them take the approach they use on What Not to Wear - where they surprise the person who is going to be featured. I will definitely watch the next one - maybe I’ll see the show in a different light.
Char’s last blog post..Monday Motivation - Get Organized
Char, What Not to Wear is seriously the only show I watch on a semi-regular basis. I *totally* agree with you that the ’surprise’ angle is a much better idea than the ’secret’ angle.
I’m sure there are thousands of moms who would love to be surprised with a week back in the dream career they left behind. A relative of mine left the ad agency world as an art director and I bet she’d jump at the chance to do it again now that her boys are teenagers.
thanks for the tip on this show Wendy…
I will definitely try to catch it this week. I was less than thrilled to read about this show - I think the whole premise does a disservice to both working and SAHMs.
heather’s last blog post..something that burns me for no reason at all
Wendy, you should secretly sign up for the show. Yeah? Yeah? Wait, don’t tell me. I want to be surprised. =)
Kelvin Kao’s last blog post..LCC presents: I’m Feeling Lucky!
Yes I seen the previews for this show too. I love working from home so this may not be the thing for me.
Honestly Kelvin, I’m with Melissa on this one - I am pretty much doing what I want with my career right now, so I wouldn’t change much…
Except for the fact that I used to be in theater when I was in high school, and dropped out because of confidence issues. It would be dang cool to have a TV show or do commercials, but it’s not a career I ever did, so I never ‘left it’ in the first place!