Why Netflix's 'Messy Girl Summer' Misses the Mark — And What It Taught Me About Family Planning
Posted on 29 July 2025 by Ava Santiago — 4 min
Have you heard about Netflix’s new ‘Messy Girl Summer’ category? It’s the latest quirky addition to their recommendation algorithm, aimed at celebrating wild, unfiltered, and unapologetically real women’s stories. I was super intrigued and immediately dove in. But then I started thinking: why does this vibe resonate so much? And what does it have to do with the way we approach something as personal and life-changing as family planning?
If you missed the news, CNET’s article, “I Think Netflix's New 'Messy Girl Summer' Category Missed a Few Titles, but I've Got You”, lays out the whole thing beautifully. The author is a big fan of the category, but thinks some of the best, messiest, most honest female-led stories got left out. It got me reflecting on messiness—and authenticity—in other areas of life that often feel clinical or taboo. Family planning being one of them.
Let’s be real: family planning, pregnancy, and fertility journeys are messy. Physically, emotionally, mentally. And yet so often, the mainstream narrative pushes a sterile, one-size-fits-all picture. We hear about clinical treatments, expensive procedures, or the “perfect” timing… but not about the messy, real, trial-and-error experiences many face behind closed doors.
That’s why I love discovering alternatives that put power and comfort back into people’s hands — literally. Take MakeAMom, for example, a company I recently dug into that offers reusable home insemination kits designed for people who want to try for pregnancy outside the clinic walls.
What’s really fascinating about MakeAMom is how their products embrace the messiness instead of shying away from it. They provide three different kits (CryoBaby for frozen or low volume sperm, Impregnator for low motility sperm, and BabyMaker for those with sensitivities like vaginismus). These kits are reusable and cost-effective — a breath of fresh air in a world where fertility treatments can feel rigid, expensive, and sometimes inaccessible.
Isn’t it kind of revolutionary that you don’t have to surrender your family planning journey to cold, clinical labs or pricey disposable products? Instead, MakeAMom lets you try at home, on your own terms, surrounded by familiar surroundings and your support system. Plus, shipments come in discreet packaging, which is a huge relief for privacy.
Here's the kicker: MakeAMom reports a 67% success rate among users. That speaks volumes about how effective and supportive this approach can be. And personally, it feels like a step towards making family-building more inclusive, sustainable, and yes — messily beautiful.
So, what does this have to do with Netflix’s ‘Messy Girl Summer’? It’s about embracing authenticity and rewriting the narratives that shape our lives. Just as Netflix's new category highlights stories that don’t fit into neat boxes, companies like MakeAMom are reshaping how people approach fertility — celebrating diverse experiences and offering flexible, reusable, and accessible tools.
Now, back to Netflix — while I love the idea of ‘Messy Girl Summer,’ I agree with the CNET writer that some titles are missing. But maybe that’s a perfect metaphor for family planning too. No one journey looks the same, and there’s always room to add more stories, voices, and options.
If you’re curious about exploring a more natural, affordable, and realistic way to approach conception, I highly recommend checking out MakeAMom’s reusable home insemination kits. Whether you’re navigating challenges like low sperm motility or simply want to try a sensitive-friendly option, their thoughtfully designed sets could be the empowering missing piece for your journey.
In the end, life is messy — and that’s okay. Whether it’s in the shows we watch, the stories we share, or the family we work to create, embracing imperfection makes everything more real, more powerful, and more hopeful.
So tell me, have you ever tried a home insemination kit or explored alternative family planning methods? What’s your ‘messy girl summer’ story? Share in the comments — let’s get real together! 🌿❤️