Netflix Shows to Binge During Maternity Leave

Being on maternity leave is a wonderful thing. You have the opportunity to bond with your baby in a way you never could if you were working. But on the other hand, being on maternity leave can also be isolating. I won’t sugarcoat it. Being at home all day with someone who is constantly eating, sleeping, pooping and who doesn’t talk back, can be lonely.

Yes, even when that constant eating, pooping and sleeping machine is as cute is the little gal below.

So, how do I pass the time? How do I break up the monotony of eat, sleep, poop?

I binge watch my favourite Netflix Canada shows.

I know, I know. That kind of makes me sound like a couch potato.

“Shouldn’t you be doing other things while your baby sleeps, like laundry or dishes?” you may think. Not a chance. After being awake multiple times per night, when babe is asleep, the last thing I want to be doing is wasting what little energy I have left. Instead, I sit in my recliner and relax.

If you ask me, I deserve it - the relaxation, the “me time” while babe naps. And if you’re on maternity leave and are feeling the exact same way, SO DO YOU.

Netflix Shows to Binge During Maternity Leave

So that brings me to the point of this post. Looking for a new show to binge on Netflix? Here’s a list of my current favourites.

You

Remember innocent Dan from Gossip Girl? Well, after watching You, you definitely won’t look at him the same way. Dan (or in this show, Joe) is a charming bookstore manager obsessed with an aspiring writer, who goes to extreme measures to insert himself into her life. In the age of social media, this show will leave you cringing at how real it is and how easily something similar could happen.

Workin’ Moms

Probably one of my favourite Canadian TV shows. I first started watching when I was on maternity leave with my first, and now I can’t stop. It is so raw and so real, and doesn’t hold back. It will take your hormonal body through all of the emotions as you follow the lives of four moms as they return to work while navigating kids, bosses, love and life in modern-day Toronto. Like I said, all of the emotions - I bawled my eyes out at the thought of going back to work when I first started watching.

Dirty John

First, watch the real-life documentary. And then, once you’ve picked your jaw up off the floor, watch the series based on Debra Newell's real-life relationship with John Meehan. Seriously, how can someone be such a psychopath?!

Dynasty

Dynasty is an American prime time television soap opera reboot based on the 1980s series of the same name. While I have never watched the original, I can tell you that this one is full of drama and rich girl whininess. Yes, you will probably despise Fallon Carrington and her privilege, but the drama will keep you hooked.

Riverdale

My high school experience was definitely nothing like Archie, Betty, Veronica or Jughead’s, that’s for sure. Murder, sex, conspiracy, drugs – there’s something for everyone in this teen drama. Considering it’s about high school kids, I feel a little too old/creepy to be tuning in each week, but I can’t stop watching.

Selling Sunset

If you loved watching The Hills or even Laguna Beach back in the day, then you will surely love Selling Sunset. Think of it as “the grown up version” of The Hills. Still so out of touch for us regular folk (seriously, what are you doing to be able to buy a $4 million dollar house for your first home?!), but fun to see how the other half lives. Full of girl power and so. much. drama.

Friends From College

The premise of this sitcom is that twenty years after graduation, a tight-knit group of college friends reconnects and discovers that love hasn't gotten easier with age. While I am only a decade out from graduating from university (holy hell, it’s been 10 years already?!), I can relate to some of their antics - friends getting married, job changes, decisions to have babies, etc. We’re definitely not in university anymore…

Imposters

Oh, the drama! This darkly comic series is about a con artist that lures her targets into marriage and then takes off with their fortunes. At first, I thought it was a “chick flick” type show, but I totally got my husband hooked. We burned through the first season (and currently the only season) on Netflix super quick. I think it’s because we felt so bad for the poor guys…

Life Below Zero

This reality adventure series follows individuals who've chosen to live in the remote Alaskan wilderness, miles from civilization. Obviously the Alaskan piece of my heart is obsessed with this show. I get it is a bit of a different choice to binge on, but still one filled with drama. Will they catch enough caribou to survive the winter? Will a bear or wolf attack? Oh, the suspense! For all of the Alaskan reality shows out there these days, I find this one the most realistic. And it’s a National Geographic Emmy-winning reality series, so you have to give it some credit.

And there you have it, my recommendation for shows to binge watch while on maternity leave. Or any time you're in need of a little couch sit/background noise...