A cautionary, muddled tale of sex and motherhood

A divorced woman’s sexual affair leads to an unintended pregnancy and alienates her hormone-driven teenage daughter in the TV movie “Sex & the Single Mom” (Lifetime, 9 p.m.), an earnest, cautionary tale mixed with steamy romance-novel spice.

Gail O’Grady plays strong but overworked (and gorgeous) paralegal Jess, who bids farewell to long years of celibacy in a secret, lusty relationship with a handsome pediatric surgeon (who soon sacrifices their great love for a noble return to his wife and kids).

Jess’ sexual reawakening occurs, however, just as 15-year-old Sara (Danielle Panabaker) is determined to lose her virginity with a love-’em-and-leave-’em high school athlete.

Jess’ efforts to rein in her daughter’s increasingly rebellious and risky behavior are undermined when her unexpected pregnancy clues Sara in to her sexual activity. That Jess’ best friend, another single mom, allows her own teenage son to have sex with his girlfriend in his room isn’t helpful, either.

Sara’s attempt to use her mother’s behavior to justify her own rings true; Jess’ measured and responsible “you’re the child, I’m the adult” response is believable too.

Unfortunately, the message is more than a bit muddled in the delivery.

At one point, there is dialogue decrying the media’s relentless sexual content. Yet elsewhere, viewers are treated to lingering, panting sex scenes between Jess and her paramour (Grant Show) -- in bed, on a desk, in a car; with lots of tanned flesh, unbuttonings and a close-up of Grady’s black-thonged derriere.