In the Motherhood: Is 8 p.m. an Appropriate Time to Out Santa?

March 27, 2009

Last night, I couldn't wait to tune into what likely will be ABC's new hit, In the Motherhood. But, before I could settle into my seat, Santa was outed. Moments into the premiere, Emily told her two young children — Esther and Bill — that St. Nick was a charade. It was a funny story line and one many mothers can relate to, but my 5-year-old daughter was in the hall and overheard. Luckily she assumed the character on television was just tricking her children, but lots of youngsters, particularly those ages 6, 7, 8 and 9, who still believe in Santa are still awake at that hour. Do you think 8 p.m. is appropriate time to announce the truth over the boob tube?

Photo courtesy of ABC

18 Comments

MaggieLei 4 years 7 weeks

I wouldn't exactly compare outing Santa to explaining sex....

skigurl 4 years 7 weeks

it's too early! and like angelica said, it's in poor taste. some kids upwards of 11, 12, 13 still have that magical belief of santa, even if they have their suspicions that he may not be real...why shatter the dream?

mamaseacat 4 years 7 weeks

My 4-year didn't pick up on it. Either way, I did not find this show funny. It's off my DVR list.

SweetnLow 4 years 7 weeks

i'm guessing Sarana doesn't have children. Mine are still up at 8pm. I didn't watch because honestly, I don't need to watch a show that points out all the horrid things about being a mom and pokes fun of them. I get enough of that on my own, thanks. So I knew this show wasn't for me or my family to begin with.

4 years 7 weeks

I think like most parents, we DVR a majority of the programs we watch and watch when we can. I was appauled that Santa, the tooth fairy, the easter bunny were outed during the course of this show. ABC should be ashamed of themselves. Sometimes parents will catch up on 18 mins of TV that they've DVRed and FF through commericials, while there kids are in the room or nearby. There should of been a warning...

anniems 4 years 7 weeks

One more reason to leave the TV off.

lickety split 4 years 7 weeks

for all of you with kids that are in bed by this time, guess what, your kid is going to be in school with kids that aren't. it doesn't take long for the really little kids to spread the word once they find out. we don't even have tv and this pisses me off.

maenad25 4 years 7 weeks

My child goes to sleep no later than 8pm and we don't watch tv until then. This isn't really a kid-friendly show so I wouldn't let him around it anyway.

iieee_grrl 4 years 7 weeks

Oh this just PIS#$ED me off last night!! UGH - here's my 4 year old (and it shows at 7pm here), in the room while we're getting him ready for bed and BAM! So then, we had to play this "people on TV are stupid" game - which isn't exactly false because they should have had the brains to now show that at 7 freaking pm - so he'd go to bed without being upset. Sorry SOB's - I was SO MAD!

meandtheo 4 years 7 weeks

i think that kids that are young enough to believe in santa should not be in the same room as primetime tv. even if the show is a "family" show the ads for other shows are just too violent these days. another reason i love TiVo...

schnappycat 4 years 7 weeks

Just think--it's actually on at 7 PM in the Mountain (and I believe Central) time zones. Oops!

Angelica 4 years 7 weeks

I think it's really poor taste to even tackle Santa on TV, especially during early primetime. There are a billion other possible plots. This just seems like poor taste.

lickety split 4 years 7 weeks

yes, it's too early. i saw a promo for that show where one of the moms was telling the little kids "aunt (somebody) is cranky because she hasn't had sex for (insert time here)" and the kids nodded knowingly. the show looks like it gets it's laughs at the expense of the children; not funny.

Sarana 4 years 7 weeks

Children young enough to believe in Santa should be in bed by 8pm. I don't understand what children below 9 years old are doing up at 8pm and I don't understand them watching adult TV shows either.

4 years 7 weeks

I was upset the Santa comment was on during the show. My kids were up and in the room. They were playing and I thought I would start to watch this new show. As soon as the Santa part happened the show went off for me. My son did not pick up on it, so I am one of the lucky ones--can't imagine how many people were explaining to their kids last night!

Baluk 4 years 7 weeks

I'm with Kim...My kids are in bed by 8 and if they are not the TV is not on. I watch TV after my children go to bed. I don't think there are any appropriate shows on for kids at 8.

Dana Ann 4 years 7 weeks

NO WAY! Kids in the 6-10 range are already beginning to question Santa's existence, and many of them are still awake and watching TV. I personally think that kids need to be allowed to be kids for as long as possible! Are they going to go into the gory details of sex next?