The Netflix Comedy Series Perfect For Mother’s Day Binge

I sat down to watch Workin’ Moms on the recommendation of my sister, who does not have children. She figured I, as a working mom myself, would enjoy it. I did not. I watched one or two episodes, and I had to stop. Maybe it was too close to home for me at the time. The first episodes focus on a new mother trying to balance breastfeeding, her career ambitions, and her marriage simultaneously. Too. Close. To Home.

Years later, I gave the show another shot. I was down with some awful flu that kept me couch-ridden for a week, and I figured I’d binge some shows I hadn’t had a chance to catch yet. I fell in love with Workin’ Moms instantly this time. From this fresh perspective, I could see what a powerful experience this series is for moms who need to not feel alone, for those who are not mothers to open up to what the mothers in their lives experience, and for anyone who wants a laugh. 

Workin’ Moms is funny! As a lifelong fan of director Ivan Reitman and his director son Jason Reitman, I should have known I’d enjoy a show created and written by his daughter Catherine Reitman, who also directed, produced, and starred in the show. Her character is the central focus point of the series, Kate Foster. She’s a top executive at a PR firm working with all men, and she will be returning from maternity leave when the show opens. 

Kate’s best friend is also one of the “workin’ moms,” a therapist with a preteen and a new baby who finds out she’s pregnant again, and she’s not happy about it. We also meet Jenny, a young mom almost entirely uninterested in motherhood, and Frankie, a real estate agent in a lesbian relationship who’s experiencing some form of postpartum depression. 

The seven seasons of the series showcase virtually every issue you can imagine workin’ moms face. From marital struggles and adultery to teenage angst and choosing a daycare or preschool. We watch these moms work hard to prove themselves in their careers while crying over whether they are good moms. The husbands also range widely, from the good, kind, faithful spouse to the sneaky, lying, cheating snake. And yes, the wives can be snakes, too. 

In the end, Workin’ Moms is real. It feels authentic, and the characters are believably flawed and redeemable. Catherine Reitman has certainly made her late father proud. I lay there on the couch with my flu, my tea, and my remote control as the last season began, wishing the show wouldn’t end. If you’ve got the time this Mother’s Day weekend, stream it on Netflix. But, really, it’s a great series to catch any time. 

Here’s to all the workin’ moms out there, and let’s be honest, all moms are workin’ moms. Happy Mother’s Day.