Network: NBC
Episodes: Seven (hour)
Seasons: One
TV show dates: June 25, 2008 — August 6, 2008
Series status: Cancelled/ended
Performers include: (contestants only)
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TV show description:
A “social experiment” reality show that’s based on a successful British program of the same name.
Five diverse young couples, all ages 18-20, take the fast-track to adulthood. They’re each given a home in a quiet cul-de-sac outside Boise, Idaho. They attend pre-natal classes and the ladies must each wear an “empathy” belly to prepare them for the arrival of their “baby.”
Soonafter, a real infant appears at the door, courtesy of volunteer parents (some of whom were teen parents themselves). For three days, the nervous teens must stick to rigid routines, handle the feeding chores, diaper duty, and crying fits — all the while under 24-hour supervision by nannies and the real parents who are stationed next door, watching via monitor, and able to step in at any time. One of each of the couples must also start a new job, from working in a local vet’s office to a lumberyard, leaving the other alone as caregiver for the day
In three days, the babies are replaced by toddlers — with typical “terrible twos” behavior, including pouty tantrums, potty training and other messes. A few days later, the weary couples must face the reality of parenting several sassy pre-teens at once — each with a family pet in tow, adding to their family responsibilities.
Three days later, the teenagers arrive, thereby perhaps providing them with a mirror image of their own recent relationships with their parents. And finally, to complete the cycle of life, the couples are graced with the opportunity to care for a senior citizen, including some with health issues, who represent what might be in store for them in the distant future.
Tested by the everyday ups and downs of taking care of others and maintaining a relationship, most of the teens find themselves looking at all of their relationships and notions of parenthood in a new light.
Episode #7 — Baby Borrowers: Lessons Learned
A one-hour interactive town hall special hosted by Hoda Kotb, the finale brings together all of the teen participants, the borrowed infant’s parents and the show producers. They discuss the series’ events and further explore the issue of teen pregnancy.
First aired: August 6, 2008.
What do you think? Do you like the The Baby Borrowers TV series? Do you think it should have been cancelled or renewed for a second season?
Image courtesy NBC.
Hilarious TV series it is,loved it i hope it does not get cancelled for upcoming season
I love this show. we are watching it for our early childhood education class, and it has really opened my eyes to several things.. but i don’t think that anyone will ever know the troubles of parenting until you have done it yourself
I absolutely loved this show. It was very entertaining. I am a teen, and have thought many times about wanting a kid. That show has showed me how hard it is to have kids, and what it does to relationships. I was a very interesting show. I don’t think that they should have cancled, i think they should make more episodes for the series. If those other parents were okay with having their baby’s borrowed then thats on them. It was a great learning experience for the rest of the teens out there thinking that they wanted to have children.… Read more »
omg i loved this show i wish it was still on
I absolutely LOVED this show! It
Made
Me
Think twice about the decisions i was makong
In my
Own life. I just really
Wish they would put it
Back on air!
To respond to the person above. It is great to know that you will be a great mom. But knowing how to care for children isnt the only skill you will need. You need to go to college and earn a degree so you can give your child the best start at life. I know this the hard way. My husband and I have had a great life. We both had great jobs. But when the economy went sore are jobs became in jeopardy . I work for a school and My husband builds Toyotas. We have no educational background… Read more »
i am a teen and i would love to have a baby…. i know they’re hard work, i have two baby brothers that i take care of all the time. i’ve wanted a child for a long time. i realize i need to get a couple of things in my life straight before i bring a baby into my world but i know i would be a good mother… i’ve proven it with my brothers. i know some of you are probably thinking that i don’t really know because i’m not ACTUALLY their mother but i know how hard it… Read more »
This show is interesting. i like it. i had my son at 17. i want more kids, and i had him because i love kids. I didnt have a bf at the time. but i wanted 2 b a single mom. getting pregnant was the best thing that ever happened 2 me. im going to a local university, and im getting my first job at the university(i m 21 now). and i couldnt b happier. i encourage young ppl to have children if they think theyre ready. dont let the old hags tell u ur not a good parent. u… Read more »
i loved the show you should but it back on TV!!! It really tought alot of people how hard it is to be a parent!!
this show was a good idea. it teaches teens that being a mother isn’t easy. on the otherhand, it’s hard for the babies to be away from their parents. yes, there are cameras for the parents to use, but again, think of the kids. what the question is- why is ‘the baby borrowers’ canceled?
This show was a great idea!! I bet the teens changed their minds about wanting babies!
LOVED this show. And I don’t think its shameful at all to borrow babies. If the parents are ok with it, it’s no one else’s business. I thought it was a great way to show kids that babies are not a joke – and that this is REAL life. Maybe it kept a couple of teens from having babies themselves.