It’s here! It is finally here! Season 3 of Orange is the New Black has made its arrival. So many people, women and men, are glued to their laptops, tablets and televisions soaking in every awesome moment of this show. For me, there has not been a season of Orange is the New Black that has disappointed me. Each season has been funny, thought provoking and very entertaining. This season I decided to do something different. I decided to really watch and focus on each episode and then have a recap along with a discussion that pertains to the topic of that show. For those that have not watched this episode, don’t worry! If you’ve not watched this episode, bookmark or pin my post and come back after you’ve made time to watch, however, even if you’ve not watched this episode, you can go to the bottom of this post and answer my discussion question. This week we will talk about Mother’s Day at Litchfield Penitentiary, but first I must give you a quick recap of Season 3, Episode 1.
Recap: The ladies and staff at Litchfield are preparing for Mother’s Day. Many of their kids will be visiting so they are planning entertainment for them. Some of the inmates are having a hard time dealing with being away from their children and a few that do not have children have vivid memories of their own mothers.
Alex is banged up and bruised but she is back and Piper is having a case of the guilts.
Nicky and Big Boo are in the process of planning on smuggling drugs out of the prison but without their knowledge, Red has made that difficult.
Pennsatucky seems calmer.
My Favorite Moments:
- Pennsatucky’s conversation in the van on the way to the Dollar Store and while she was at the Dollar Store with the two staff members.
- The first moment that we saw Alex’s face.
- Big Boo’s conversation with Pennsatucky regarding her ‘lost’ children.
- Watching the inmate’s
playcompete with the kids. - Lice scratching and lice picking.
- The face painting!
- Sophia’s heart to heart conversation with her son.
Discussion Question: Many women in prison are moms and probably feel lost and/or disconnected without their kids. At the end of this episode you will see one of the dads tell his baby’s mama that he will no longer be bringing her baby girl back to see her because he read that since the baby is getting bigger he doesn’t want the baby to think that it’s normal to see her mama in prison. What do you think? Do you agree with this dad? Have you ever been in a situation where you had to decide if a child could see their parent in prison? Do you think there are harmful effects that the child could face by seeing their parent in jail? Let’s discuss.
That’s a hard one, but I think that the child should have a chance to see her mom. I’ve never been in a situation like this, so I would only truly know how I would react until I had to make a decision like this.
I haven’t started Season 3 so I just skipped down to the question. Unfortuantely I was raised with my Father being in and out of prison but I was always allowed to decide if I wanted to go see him or not. As a child I really didn’t understand that he couldn’t leave. I just thought that was where he stayed – kinda like a college dorm or something. When I got older I fully understood and made the choice not to see him until he got out. I don’t know if it was because of hi being there or just the process I had to go through to actually see him. I don’t think I was damaged by any of it but it was definitely a difficult choice to make.
It is such a sad situation but unless the child was at risk of being harmed I don’t see the benefit of keeping the child from mom! The child will know about her being in prison even if she doesn’t visit so what would be the benefit of keeping her away? I just can’t imagine, very tough situation!
I already started binge watching season 3 this past weekend. The new episodes are so good just like I expected them to be.
This is the first time I am hearing about this show. It sounds very interesting. I agree that it is more important for children to know the truth and for things to be real. Thankfully I don’t have any prisoner in my family and I know how difficult it would be to deal with. Will have to watch it on NetFlix.
A parent can still be a part of their kids’ lives from behind bars. They can write
I have not seen this at all, ever, but when I move. I think i will pick it up and check it out because I am going to a show to watch on Netflix when I am out in the new place late nights working from home!
This was a great episode. They really tried hard to make the prison inviting for the kids and a way to have more personal time with their children than sitting in a room with guards all around. I hated it when they had to call the alarm and the kids got scared.
We’ve had family members in jail and friends in jail. When our son was younger we did go visit a friend that had gone to jail. Our son was 10 and understood the friend had broken the law and this was his punishment. I wouldn’t keep a child from its mother, even if she was in jail. There are two sides to every story and these women miss so much of their children’s lives. Sometimes that’s because they made a bad decision, sometimes because they were with other people who made bad decisions. It’s not just about the women – it’s the kids too. The kids have the right to know their mother misses them and still loves them. I couldn’t take them away from that.
This is a great idea. I’ve already watched the entire season. It took 3 days.
I am taking it so slow! The last 2 seasons I power watched them and felt empty inside. ha ha
Regardless of whether or not visitation exists, it will not change the fact that the child has a parent in prison.
A child with a parent in prison shouldn’t be made to feel like it’s not something that people are willing to address and talk to them about, and keeping them from seeing the parent only reinforces that it’s something we separate ourselves from and hide, and that the shame and burden is somehow theirs as well. I don’t agree that seeing a parent in prison automatically “normalizes” it ; if anything, it’s a chance to speak with the child and allow them to ask questions.
If you’re worried about the environmental effects of visitation with minors, perhaps the focus should be more on how visitations are conducted.
I love Orange is the New Black. I have been watching season three and i am almost done. I love the mini golf they made with the fan.
I haven’t been able to watch this series yet, I just haven’t had time, but I will have to binge watch it and catch up. I cannot comment on his decision since I don’t watch the show. I think that is up to BOTH parents and should be based on the maturity level of the child.
I was married to someone in prison. We didn’t have children together but I saw so many kids visiting their dads, brothers and uncles. Most of the younger ones thought their relative was away at school or work. The older ones knew and understood what was going on.
Unless the parent was abusive to the child, every parent has a right to see their child. I do not agree with keeping the kid away because mom is in jail.
I was going to say that if a child wants to see their parent, they should. S/he should not be deprived of that desire to know their parent, good or bad.
It was hard, but I’m not sure that the children should be subjected to that life or making sure that it’s a part of their regular life is healthy. My impression is that once you normalize jail, it makes it easier to feel that it’s ok. Also, when you saw Sophia’s son throughout the season, you saw that he lost respect for his father, granted that situation is a lot more complicated. I don’t know what I’d suggest, but at young ages, I wouldn’t take them to the prison.
This is on my list if and when we get Netflix! Everyone keeps raving about the show! Great discussion point. I’m not sure what the right thing to do.
I think it is important for children to know the truth and for things to be real. I don’t believe in hiding things from kids. Children should be able to have contact with the parent if they want too, however if that child isn’t old enough to really know if they want too see the parent…than I would have to honor the custodial parent’s decision.
I have never seen Orange is the new black. I do think children suffer when parents are not present, and if they know they are in jail it must have an added stigma to it
That scene with the mountain dew and her little cemetary – it was touching. Also the pinata that was empty!
I am so thankful that we haven’t had any prisoners in my family! It would be so difficult to deal with!
So I really didn’t care for Penn the first season but she is becoming one of my favorite characters on the show for sure.
I know so many people who are hooked on this show. I need to watch it on Netflix this summer!
Children shouldn’t be sheltered from reality, period. So, I feel what the dad did was wrong. Every child has a right to see their parent, no matter where they are. I’ve made it to Ep3, and even though some of the conversations were interesting, this season seems to be a bit of a bore compared to the last 2. So far my favorite scene is when the girls are in the bathroom dealing with the bed bucks and she’s spraying herself with lysol and does a little dance. I cracked up. Now there is a meme floating all over Pinterest. I cant stop laughing.
I haven’t seen the show, so I don’t know why some of these ladies are in prison. But….. you would have thought if they had kids, they would have not been doing things that may have gotten them put away and possibly not see their kids.
I haven’t watched this show but I think I’m going to start. I would hate to be in prison.
I’ve never had that experience or know anyone in prison, but I think it would be worse to NOT see the parent. The child doesn’t understand and will just feel like they are abandoned. I also think Big Boo is making great sense. She needs to have a little chit chat with the idiots who keep making stupid laws to prevent women from having lawful abortions.
And for the record, did anyone else think this episode was kinda boring? I need some action. I actually stopped episode 2 after awhile because it was just boring me. Maybe I was just spoiled by the big reveal on Wayward Pines episode 5. I hope OITNB pulls me back in.
I’m taking this season super slow! So far I like it. It’s not hardcore like the previous seasons but I really like the flash backs.
This is my favorite show! I’m actually watching Episode 5 as I read this …
Ugh!!! I was so excited to start watching and started tonight – but then realized that something awful must have happened because I still have 3 episodes left from last season! So I am playing catch up. But I always think chikdren should be able to see parents, assuming the parents weren’t abusive. Chikdren at least then have the opportunity to make their own evaluation and decisions about the parent. But I haven’t seen the episode 🙂
I’ve still not watched this show yet, but want to. To answer your question… I never known anyone in prison, but I personally if I were in prison there is no way I would want my husband to bring my son there to see me.
I am thankful to not visit anyone in prison. I would have to have to make the decision about taking a young child to prison.
I still have not watched this show! I really need to hop on the bandwagon!
I love this show, I can’t get enough!
I don’t watch this program. My brother’s young daughter was killed b a drunk driver, a mother. She went to prison for only 2 years, not nearly enough. I don’t believe she deserved to see her child while she was in prison. I would not take my children to a prison. There is too much glorifications in our society of crime.
I love Orange is the New Black! I haven’t gotten to start season 3 yet, but I hope to tonight!
I have never known anyone in prison and I hope I never do, but if I ever did I would NEVER bring my kids into a place like that.
My hubby used to visit his ex step dad in prison. I most definitely think it’s up to the parent but I will say I wouldn’t allow my kiddos into a prison to visit anyone, even my hubby or myself. For some reason I just don’t feel a prison is a place for kids. I’ve seen first hand how kids, and adults end up after dealing with all that.
This is so sad! I could not imagine someone not allowing me to see my children. That seems cruel!
I have not seen the show – I read so many great reviews – I will definitely have to check it out on demand.
Make sure to check it out on Netflix.
I’m of the opinion that no matter where a mom, or dad for that matter, is, the worst thing that could be done is not allowing the kids to see their parent. Whatever situation they might see their parent in, it’s better than thinking that their parent doesn’t want to see them.