The Baby-Sitters Club on Netflix has accomplished what I was beginning to think was impossible – an age-appropriate, entertaining, modernized yet respectful-to-the-originals adaptation of my beloved books by Ann M. Martin. Bravo, truly. Is The Babysitters-Club kid friendly? YES! Children of all ages, from elementary-school aged to teens will enjoy this 10-episode rated TV-G series on Netflix. Although The Baby-Sitters Club is rated TV-G, it covers heavy topics and is not full of fluff.
Is The Baby-Sitters Club Kid Friendly?
The basic premise behind the TV series follows the same story as the books – a group of friends in Middle School in Stoneybrook, Connecticut start The Baby-Sitters Club, a business to help those in need of babysitting services. The books by Ann M. Martin came out in 1986, when I was a pre-teen. And when I read them then, it wasn’t fluff I was after. It was the strong female roles that kept me coming back.
And this is the spirit that The Baby-Sitters Club on Netflix embodies. My 5 girls and I (ages 15 to 7) sat down together to watch and had meaningful conversations after the episodes. Here’s what parents need to know in this Baby-Sitters Club Parents Guide. I’d recommend The Baby-Sitters Club for kids ages 8 and up, but be mindful of some of the content discussed in the mature content section.
ETA: I do think The Baby-Sitters Club should be rated TV-PG.
Language
Language is very tame in The Baby-Sitters Club but there are words like stupid, idiot, and oh my g-d.
Mature Content
Like I said, this isn’t all babysitting and boys. But there are some quick kisses. The Baby-Sitters Club also addresses issues like diabetes, transgenderism, divorce, remarriage, illness in the family, menstruation, self-confidence, bullies, and more. However, they do it an age-appropriate way. Also, a character mentions a drawing class with nude models.
The Baby-Sitters Club is Perfect For Families
So yes, we’re getting a solid middle-class community in this series which doesn’t necessarily show the struggles of every type of family. However, what I mean by age-appropriate is content that teaches kids lessons without watering it down or “Disney-fying” it, but also without exposing them to topics in a damaging way.
Finally, The Baby-Sitters Club, a show that uses actors that are in the correct age range. And these girls nail it. Every single one of them. They handle resolution in a mature but middle-school manner. Some problems to adults may seem trivial, but to girls these ages, they’re a big deal. However, they can resolve conflict by having conversations in person, not over text.
The show is modernized, but in the best way without characters on their phones 24/7, making up TikTok dances, or saying all kinds of 4-letter words. They get some Instagram nods while also being kids. Tweens and teens like that do exist!
The Babysitters-Club includes:
Kristy Thomas (Sophie Grace), the president and founder of the BSC is strong, assertive, and vulnerable. Her best friend, Mary Anne Spier (Malia Baker), is an introvert, but finding her way, especially learning how to talk to her overprotective dad. The cool and artsy, Claudia Kishi (Momona Tamada) is always friendly, but not afraid to tell it like it is. And please can someone tell me where she buys her clothes. She brings in Stacey McGill (Shay Rudolph), the sophisticated new girl from New York with a secret. In later episodes they are joined by another new girl, Dawn Schafer (Xochitl Gomez), a social activist from California whose mom is also a single parent.
This diverse cast play girls from different backgrounds with different problems but through it all are kind, intelligent, strong-willed, make mistakes, help people, forgive each other, and are solid friendship goals. The Baby-Sitters Club is about as close to perfect as I could ask for in a TV series for my family. I can’t wait to watch these girls grow up and get more Baby-Sitters Club stories.
If you’re looking for a Season 2 Baby-Sitters Club Review, check out this Parents Guide.
Shannon
Sunday 13th of March 2022
Don’t believe anything in this add posing as a review. The show is NOT kid friendly! This is not about the books you grew up on. Middle school kids drawing nude pictures of adults and trans 5 year olds is NOT appropriate. This is brainwashing kids to be “ok” with pornography and topics not appropriate for children to watch alone. I expected better of a G rated show.
tanialamb
Monday 14th of March 2022
Well the first problem is it shouldn't be G-rated. A show about middle schoolers should never really be G-rated. However, I do think it's age appropriate for the audience it's intended for.
Leslie
Tuesday 15th of February 2022
This should be at least TV-14 if not higher due to its treatment of morally sensitive issues such as same sex attraction and transgender …. Children?? How dare they present such content As though they are crown prince of morality. Agree with commentary below regarding how parents should have the right to teach this how they feel is appropriate in the home, that is not public television’s job
Ariana merwin
Tuesday 2nd of November 2021
I was listening while I cooked and my daughter watched. The girls said "we'll invite him to the orgy later". I couldn't believe it. I listened to it 3 times and still heard that. Subtitles said "working dinner" even in quotes; it clearly didn't say that.
tanialamb
Tuesday 2nd of November 2021
What?? What episode was that?
Rachel
Monday 18th of October 2021
I was excited to suggest my niece of 11 watch this series, but just a couple episodes in I changed my mind. Their language is HORRIBLE! To take God's name in a vain as an adult is bad enough, but to have these little girls constantly saying is a knife to the heart. Shame on you Netflix for having children use this offensive language!!
Sarah
Monday 15th of May 2023
@Rachel, I did the same with my niece and I was appalled. I think we all know why this show got cancelled. A lot of parents did not support this and decided to stop watching it. That’s the real reason the ratings took a nosedive.
Steven Cruz
Monday 25th of January 2021
Im sorry but how is transgenderism age appropriate for an 8 year old unless you are grooming and brainwashing 8 year old kids
tanialamb
Tuesday 26th of January 2021
Because I don't feel like it was brainwashing anyone. The episode was not implying that all kids are transgender nor did it even say the word transgender as far as I remember. It was the response of let's treat everyone with respect, even children. And if that isn't for you or your family, then don't watch it. The information is there, and you can choose what you want your children to watch.