On the CBS show Kid Nation, 40 kids spend 40 days rebuilding a town, pioneer style.  They're faced with town meetings, separation of class, the choice to work, the choice to help others, and an opportunity to do something very few kids their age get the chance to do.  Yet, the show came under heavy fire even before the premiere episode.  Today, some of the parents of the participants spoke to BuddyTV.  Green team member Morgan's mom, Amanda, fellow teammate Sophia's mom, Laurie, and blue team Michael's mom, Laurie, spoke out and responded to the people who think their children are overworked on a show that is fake or forced.  They say their kids had the times of their lives.

From the minute the kids heard about Kid Nation, they were interested and wanted to hear more about the show.  As the interview process went on, they all became enthusiastic about participating in such a unique project.  “She was really excited when I told her that she had been contacted to be a part of the show," Sophia's mom, Laurie, told BuddyTV. "This was like the chance of a lifetime!"  Michael's mom, Laurie, echoed that sentiment and said her son wasn't looking for fame.  "The actual 40 days was the best part of it for Michael, not the tv show."

On the official Kid Nation website, in the children's bios, they speak about global warming, Darfur, and the Dalai Lama.  They have talents like drawing, fashion design, and acting.  There is no doubt that producers were looking for gifted children.  "The show wanted a great reference of kids from across the country who were leaders in their own way," Morgan's mom, Amanda, said. "They’re all very aware, very smart, with different opinions about different things," agreed Laurie, Michael's mom.

Before the show had even aired, critics were saying that the children were worked too hard.  Yet, on the show, it doesn't seem that anybody was exhausted or pushed too hard.  "Nobody did anything they didn't want to do," said Morgan's mom, Amanda.  "They can work as little or as hard as they want."   Sophia's mom told BuddyTV that, even though they don't show it, Sophia made virtually every meal for the 40 kids, whether she was a cook or not.  "I’m glad that the show gave them a sense of responsibility," she said.

All the parents we spoke to today felt that their kids were not only portrayed favorably, but accurately.  As for the children being coached by producers, Sophia's mom has a simple response.  "Sophia thinks that it’s an accurate representation of all the kids."   Even Jared?  "Yes," Laurie laughed.  "Even Jared.  He was over our house for dinner last night and that's just Jared!"


- Gina Scarpa, BuddyTV Staff Writer
(Image courtesy of CBS)