While the debate over how much screen time is too much is still ongoing, today's reality is that we do spend a lot of time in front of the tube and probably did when we were younger as well. Television shows aren't always mindless and invaluable: in fact, we can learn a lot from the characters and how they handle the situations that are thrown at them.
They may technically be fictional, but a lot of times they feel very real life, so we've taken popular TV shows like Friends, Growing Pains, Gilmore Girls, and Full House and pulled out 40 lessons about life and parenthood that we've learned over the years.
One day, they may not be as open, so you'll want to listen to every word they offer.
And if they'll let you be that type of person in their life, being able to still parent them at the same time with the trust of a friendship will make your relationship even stronger, like Lorelai and Rory's was.
You never know when one of them will stick and really enrich their life.
Seriously, try traveling with one of these little humans — it's insane.
You created all of them, so you deserve credit.
It gives everyone a chance to eat, hang out together, talk about their days, and be a connected family.
And that's fine. You're a parent first and a friend second, and though your decisions and rules will sometimes be unpopular, it's OK to stand by them, like Tony always did.
When it comes to your kids, trust isn't something to mess with.
It's OK — that's life, and you likely messed up when you were younger, too. Mike Seaver was always getting into trouble, but Jason and Maggie helped to steer him in the right direction.
Parents have lived through it before you and will live through it after you (and your own mother dealt with you).
. . . Ahem, Rachel. But having lots of friends around you, parents or not, will keep you sane in those early years.
You'll make it work every time though.
Seriously, don't you remember being a teenager? The last thing you thought your parents were capable of: making your life less awkward.
Before you know it, they'll be off to college.
Friends, family, nannies — all of the people — for your sake and your baby's.
Clair was constantly on Cliff's case, but at the end of the day, it made him a better husband and dad.
What some people see as strengths, other people see as flaws, and vice versa. Everyone is good at different things, and though the characters on The Golden Girls had vastly different personalities, they celebrated that.
Just keep your head up.
Though it's not for everyone, it can be very rewarding — taking in Luke totally changed the dynamic of the Seaver family for the better.
Besides your family, your child is going to spend the most time with his friends — especially if, like in family sitcoms, their best friend is constantly at your house. Know who they are and what kind of influence they're having on your kid.
You can hope that they'll never need to use their knowledge, but they should have it anyway.
The Tanners let everyone in — even DJ’s crazy friend Kimmy — and their lives were richer because of it.
And then all of a sudden, your heart blows up.
Making sure you're still indulging in your own hobbies and pursuing your ambitions even after having children is important — you deserve to have a little bit of "you time."
Seriously, Full House made everything a lesson, and while it seems cheesy, they were usually 100 percent accurate.
Like cooking, so they don't spend their college years eating macaroni and cheese from the microwave.
Or you'll both go nuts — everyone needs a break, especially in the early years of parenting.
Nobody likes chores, but you can do it like the Arnold family did and make it a group effort.
It's going to happen a lot, especially as they get older, and that's OK.
Give them the skills to get through it.
Uncle Phil didn't always "get" Will, but it all turned out fine.
And much more civilized. Ross and Susan eventually put aside their differences to make it work with Carol and baby Ben.
While Carlton may have been the better student all along, Will maintained ambitious and was proud of his accomplishments. Encourage your own kiddos to be independent and hold themselves accountable for their education.
They're safely tucked in there, but they can probably hear your awful rendition of that latest top 40 hit.
Whether a child is adopted, has two — or three! — dads, one single parent, or came from a foster home, it's the love that matters.
Everyone can remember certain parts of their childhood, no matter how old they get. Life is fleeting, but that feeling of being a child is something people cherish through their whole life — Kevin Arnold narrated a whole show based on those memories.
At the end of the day, family's the most important, whether they're your blood or not.