Between work, life’s chaos, and sleepless nights courtesy of little ones, finding time to relax can feel like an impossible dream. But when you finally get those precious minutes for yourself, you deserve something truly binge-worthy to help you unwind.

2025 has brought an incredible lineup of TV shows that strike the perfect balance for parents. Whether you’re laughing through chaotic parenting adventures, shedding tears over relatable family dramas, or losing yourself in gripping thrillers, there’s something for everyone. Here’s our expanded list of must-watch TV for parents this year, complete with deeper dives into each show and some fresh additions to round out the list.

1. "The Family Chronicles"

Why you’ll love it: Rooted in authenticity, "The Family Chronicles" captures the beautiful messiness of life through the experiences of three generations living under one roof. Parents will find themselves nodding along to storylines about the juggle between career dreams and soccer practices, teenage angst over family rules, and the tenderness of multigenerational relationships. It’s a show that feels as real as sitting around your own dinner table.

Standout Element: The performances bring raw emotion to every scene, especially from veteran actress Mia Lanning, who plays the wise yet occasionally meddlesome grandmother.

Where to watch: Streaming on Lumino Prime.

What to expect: Tears, laughter, and an urge to call your mom or hug your kids after every episode. It’s a show that reminds you what really matters in life.

2. "Hex & the City"

Why you’ll love it: Imagine balancing a high-stakes career, a houseful of kids, and PTA drama… then discovering you’ve inherited magical powers from a long-lost aunt. That’s the recipe for "Hex & the City," a whip-smart comedy about wands, witches, and work-life balance. Lead actress Gina Lopez is hilarious as the flustered mom-turned-rookie sorceress, bringing a fresh twist to the "working mom hero" archetype.

Standout Element: The creative, laugh-out-loud situations, like casting accidental spells during school drop-off or magically cleaning an impossibly messy house (don’t we wish!).

Where to watch: Weekly episodes on SPARK+.

What to expect: A charming mix of family humor, supernatural surprises, and the relatable absurdity of modern parenting.

3. "Renegade Moms"

Why you’ll love it: This edgy yet empowering dramedy explores the dual lives of four suburban moms tackling systemic wrongs by night while dealing with Bake Sales and carpool chaos by day. Whether they’re exposing shady corporations or battling school board corruption, these women bring depth, humor, and serious grit.

Standout Element: The series isn’t afraid to tackle important social issues. The wit and sharp satire paired with heartwarming moments give it a unique balance.

Where to watch: Exclusively on Flow Stream.

What to expect: Bold storytelling that mixes suspense and satire, with plenty of action, emotion, and inspiration.

4. "Unplugged Kids"

Why you’ll love it: As the age of screens grows stronger, "Unplugged Kids" offers a breath of fresh air. This reality-style docuseries follows five families attempting to redefine their relationships with technology. From “camping tech-free weekends” to reconnecting kids with art and nature, it’s full of creative experiments that parents tackling screen-time struggles will relate to.

Standout Element: You’ll appreciate expert insights from child psychologists, paired with heartwarming stories of parents rediscovering connection with their families.

Where to watch: Thursdays at 8 PM on FamilyPlenty+.

What to expect: Relatable struggles, inspiring ideas, and an intriguing peek into different parenting challenges.

5. "The Great Bake Bond" – Season 3

Why you’ll love it: Amateur bakers faced with impossibly complicated recipes. A bubbly, comedic host duo with effortless chemistry. And families nationwide recreating their favorite cakes at home? What’s not to love? This show might just spark some Saturday kitchen experiments with your kids.

Standout Element: This season introduces fan-voted challenges, bringing community involvement and unexpected twists to weekly baking chaos.

Where to watch: Airing now on YumTV.

What to expect: Equal parts wholesome fun and jaw-dropping baking disasters.

6. “Clouds of Tomorrow”

Why you’ll love it: Need a break from the chaos of daily life? Enter the futuristic world of “Clouds of Tomorrow,” where a determined scientist mom is caught between groundbreaking discoveries and the moral dilemmas they pose for humanity’s survival.

Standout Element: Aside from visually stunning sci-fi effects, the storyline hits close to home with themes of resilience, hope, and the sacrifices of motherhood. Lead actress Tori Arnett brings gravity and heart to her portrayal of Dr. Elise Hayes.

Where to watch: Stream anytime on NovaMax.

What to expect: A mix of awe-inspiring visuals, high-stakes drama, and relatable family struggles—even in a futuristic setting.

7. "Parenting Hacks"

Why you’ll love it: Run out of ideas for calming tantrums or keeping a shared room tidy? "Parenting Hacks" delivers quick, actionable solutions in bite-sized episodes. More importantly, the relatable host duo shares their parenting wins (and missteps), making it feel like a conversation with friends.

Standout Element: Kids’ laugh-out-loud cameos remind viewers that parenting isn’t about perfection but progress.

Where to watch: On-demand episodes on ChillStream.

What to expect: Simple, effective tips guaranteed to make your daily grind smoother.

8. "Small Town Mysteries"

Why you’ll love it: Every episode delivers a self-contained mystery, set against the quirky charm of a small town where everyone has secrets. Nothing too dark, but engaging enough to keep you guessing, this show is perfect for parents craving drama without feeling overwhelmed.

Standout Element: Each supporting character offers quirky humor and personality, adding charm to an already-strong whodunnit formula.

Where to watch: Streaming weekly on ReelStory+.

What to expect: Eccentric characters, twist-filled mysteries, and more personality than overwrought crime shows.

9. "The Laughter Lab"

Why you’ll love it: Sometimes, you just need a good laugh. This improv comedy series, filmed in a “live lab” format, turns parenting fails into punchlines. The comedians draw from audience-submitted stories, so don’t be surprised if your toddler’s meltdown becomes the star of show.

Standout Element: The interactive format and laugh-yourself-to-tears parenting humor make every episode feel fresh.

Where to watch: Stream new episodes on Jestly.

What to expect: Belly laughs, relatable cringe moments, and a fresh take on the messy realities of life with kids.

10. "Animated Adventures for Grownups"

Why you’ll love it: If you’re into sharp, clever stories but feel like most animation isn’t for adults, this anthology series will change your mind. Choosing a different animation style for each episode, it tells mind-bending stories with plenty of wit.

Standout Element: It covers themes of marriage, burnout, and self-discovery while mixing playful visuals with storytelling genius.

Where to watch: Available on QuibbleStream.

What to expect: Episodes that might just give Pixar some competition and conversations that resonate long after the credits roll.

11. "Lost & Found Families"

Why you’ll love it: With a mix of genealogy explorations and touching family reunions, this feel-good series shines a spotlight on extraordinary stories of reconnection. Whether it’s a parent finding their long-lost child or a grandparent meeting a new family member, the emotional pull is impossible to resist.

Standout Element: Its perfect blend of heartwarming discoveries and the inspiring lengths people go to for family.

Where to watch: Weekly episodes on DiscoverLight.

What to expect: Emotional storytelling that might leave you reaching for tissues—but feeling hopeful.

With this diverse lineup, parents have an incredible collection of shows to escape into. Whether you prefer braving intergalactic adventures or trying out a parenting hack, there’s something for you. When the kids are in bed (finally), grab your popcorn and settle in for a night of well-deserved entertainment.

Which show are you adding to your watchlist first?