10 Inappropriate TV Shows I Am Totally Guilty Of Letting My Kids Watch (Updated For 2023)
Truth be told, I’m a sanctimommy’s wet dream. On a daily basis, I do or say things that even the least judgmental of you could easily judge. I have a potty mouth, I seriously considered using a kid leash harness (and would have if I wasn’t so afraid of being called out on it publicly) and yes, I let my kids watch some questionable and inappropriate TV shows, mostly because kid’s TV sucks. So feel free to judge away.
10. Family Guy
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0YOh-rpvjYg
I can already hear the steady buzz of angry typing in the comments, but hear me out. Yes, Family Guy is filled with foul language, silly cartoon violence and dirty jokes, but there is an undercurrent of political humor and social justice that I think is important and beneficial. No, I don’t let my two younger kids watch this show, but my almost-11-year-old is perfectly capable of understanding most of the humor, and I make sure I’m there to explain (or shut the TV off) when necessary.
9. The Walking Dead
Ok, I have no excuse for this beyond “this show is freaking awesome.” Again, I don’t let my younger two watch this very often (though I would be lying if I said they’ve never seen it), but with the exception of a few of the more violent or heartbreaking scenes (see above) I think my oldest kid is more than ready to watch this show.
8. Bob’s Burgers
If you don’t think that Louise from Bob’s Burger’s is the bee’s knees, then you’re dead to me. I fully believe that Kristen Schaal is my spirit animal. And seriously, this show is perfectly tame. If you let your kids watch The Simpsons, then this show should is fine.
7. How I Met Your Mother
How I Met Your Mother is almost constantly on in the background on the weekends, because apparently TBS has become the HIMYM Channel, and I have no problem with all three of my kids sitting around watching it. Yes, there is some mild “sex” talk (though nothing explicit, unless you’re a Duggar), but I think, for the most part, that this show is well-written and harmless. #SorryNotSorry
6. Basically Everything On The ID Channel
For those of you unfortunate enough to not have the ID Channel, it is a wondrous network devoted entirely to the type of television fare you would find on Unsolved Mysteries circa 1992. It’s basically all murder, all the time, but the reenactments are PG 13 at worst. Any channel that has shows like “Wives With Knives” and “Swamp Murders” is alright with me.
5. Here Comes Honey Boo Boo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xrFyAkSsrGw
I have no excuse except I friggin love this show and so do my kids. Judge me all you want, but I love me some Honey Boo Boo.
4. Ren and Stimpy
This is an oldie but a goodie. What 90’s kid didn’t love Ren and Stimpy back in the day? To be fair, I had no idea how inappropriate it was at the time, and I’m sure my kids don’t either, so I have no problem letting them watch a few episodes on YouTube (and you can totally find full episodes, which rocks my 90’s girl socks).
3. Beavis and Butthead
This was the one show that my dad wouldn’t let me watch as a kid, and looking back I kind of get it, but compared to today’s stuff, it’s actually pretty tame. And who doesn’t get a laugh at a 4-year-old doing his best “Great Cornholio” impression?
2. South Park
This is another inappropriate show that also has a strong political message, and like Family Guy, I definitely don’t let my younger two watch this show. But I love the fact that South Park often takes on serious issues like Scientology nuts, censorship and intolerance, and I can look past a few curse words and dirty jokes and still enjoy the show with my oldest child.
1. Futurama
I think Futurama is one of the best, and most underrated TV shows of the last two decades. As a sci-fi fan, I love their take on various science fiction tropes, and I think the more adult jokes are discreet enough that I can still watch the show with even my younger kids.
(Photo: YouTube)
