40 Parenting Lessons We've Learned From Popular TV Shows Like Friends and Gilmore Girls

One day, they may not be as open, so you'll want to listen to every word they offer.

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.

The Golden Girls always had each other to lean on, look to for help and advice, and most importantly, have a good laugh with when it was most needed — having a solid group of mama (and nonmama) friends will do you good.

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.

. . . Ahem, Rachel. But having lots of friends around you, parents or not, will keep you sane in those early years.

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.

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.

And then all of a sudden, your heart blows up.

If they're lucky enough to be around, and aren't too pushy about how you raise your kiddos.

Like cooking, so they don't spend their college years eating macaroni and cheese from the microwave.

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.

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.