Everyone finds their own way to teach their children, but most don't realize the valuable advice sitting right in front of them. If you are a TV show enthusiast, have a limited selection of go-to movies, or any sort of combination of the two, each of these beloved characters has an important parenting lesson [1], whether the show has a kid-friendly plot or not.

Valya Dudycz Lupescu, the coauthor of Geek Parenting [2], realizes that after you put the kids to bed and start streaming your favorite shows, you can get more out of it than just being a fan [3]. She's incorporated different strategies she's observed from pop culture families into her own parenting toolbox and describes these major messages throughout her lighthearted book. From unsuspecting sources like Austin Powers to classics like Back to the Future, these are the ultimate parenting tips Lupescu says you can learn from all of your favorite pop culture families.

True Blood

"When your coffin is under my roof, you have to follow my rules."

Star Trek: The Next Generation

"Take a break from fighting off Borg warships to play ball whenever you can."

The Smurfs

"Whether you’re three apples high or three feet tall, respect your elders."

Battlestar Galactica

"Be sure to have 'the talk' before stuff gets cataclysmic."

Austin Powers

"At least frickin’ listen to them, OK?"

Guardians of the Galaxy

"Sharing your life’s soundtrack with your kids is awesome."

Star Wars

"Don’t try to force your kids to follow in your footsteps."

The Hobbit

"Think carefully about the precious things your kids will inherit."

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

"We should savor life’s sweetness, with or without a golden ticket."

Indiana Jones

"Keep a diary or treasure box of the hidden gems you want them to explore someday."

Coming to America

"Raise boys who respect women — not just as queens but as people."

Buffy the Vampire Slayer

"It takes a Giles to get the most out of Google."

Ratatouille

"Let them play with their food — in the kitchen."

Bewitched

"Encourage your kids not to hide in the broom closet. Whatever kind of witches they are, they can own their power."

Princess Mononoke

"If you want them to help save the earth, you have to teach them to love the earth."

Kim Possible

"Take-your-child-to-work day is one of the more important traditions for a superparent to honor."

Powerpuff Girls

"Even kindergarteners have the power to help save the day."

Fringe

"Find an alternate universe where you don’t repeat your parents’ mistakes."

Firefly

"There’s the family you’re born with, and then there’s the family you climb on board ship with."

Animaniacs

"The moral of today’s story is: make time to laugh."

Maleficent

"It doesn’t take a blood connection to love a child as your own princess."

Coraline

"You may picture the perfect parents in your mind’s eye — but there’s no such thing."

The Chronicles of Narnia

"Boredom can open magic doors to adventure."

The Wizard of Oz

"Whatever Kansas your teen lives in, it feels like a black-and-white town stifling their technicolor soul."

Donnie Darko

"Always question your commitment to Sparkle Motion."

Mary Poppins

"You have a magic bag of tricks . . . use it!"

The Princess Bride

"Read to them."

Beetlejuice

"Dance, dance, Senora."

The Legend of Korra

"Be an avatar of the principles you want your child to learn."

The Addams Family

"If they’re creepy and they’re kooky, then you’re the one who’s lucky."

Game of Thrones

"Don’t let your royal heir try to push around the Seven kingdoms."

Doctor Who

"You don’t need a time machine to create a better future."

The Incredibles

"Clothes don’t make the hero, character does. But still, dress for success."

Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon

"A girl with a sword isn’t a 'Tomboy.' She’s a girl. With a sword."