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

Updated on 10/28/2015 at 4:41 PM

Everett Collection/Warner Bros.

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.

No matter what your kid is saying, you should listen to every word.

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

You can be your child's best friend.

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.

Encourage all of your child's hobbies and passions.

You never know when one of them will stick and really enrich their life.

Babies have a lot of stuff — you just have to get good at carrying it.

Seriously, try traveling with one of these little humans — it's insane.

Seeing your older kids mentor your younger kids will make you feel a personal sense of accomplishment.

You created all of them, so you deserve credit.

Eating dinner as a family is one of the best things you can do together.

It gives everyone a chance to eat, hang out together, talk about their days, and be a connected family.

Your kids will love you, but they won't always like you.

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.

Hiring the right babysitter sometimes takes time.

When it comes to your kids, trust isn't something to mess with.

You can get through anything with great friends by your side.

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.

Your kids will get in trouble, and they'll do things wrong.

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.

You can get through the teen angst years.

Parents have lived through it before you and will live through it after you (and your own mother dealt with you).

Not all your friends will know what to do with your baby . . .

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

Sometimes you have no idea what you're doing.

You'll make it work every time though.

The teenage years are awkward, and there's little you can do to make them less awkward.

Seriously, don't you remember being a teenager? The last thing you thought your parents were capable of: making your life less awkward.

Your kid will grow up faster than you'll be able to cope with.

Before you know it, they'll be off to college.

All parents need a support system.

Friends, family, nannies — all of the people — for your sake and your baby's.

Keep your spouse on his toes.

Clair was constantly on Cliff's case, but at the end of the day, it made him a better husband and dad.

Help your kids realize that they don't have to be exactly the same as their friends — differences should be embraced.

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.

IVF is a lot to deal with, but a successful result will be worth it.

Just keep your head up.

Fostering and adopting open up a whole new world of possibilities to families.

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.

Get to know your kid's friends.

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 should probably teach your children proper fire safety, as well as other types of safety.

You can hope that they'll never need to use their knowledge, but they should have it anyway.

A full house is a happy house.

The Tanners let everyone in — even DJ’s crazy friend Kimmy — and their lives were richer because of it.

You won't believe how much love you can have for a little baby until you hold her in your arms.

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

Kids are weird.

Embrace it.

Don't forget about your own passions.

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."

Grandparents can be a great influence in your child's life.

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

Try to help your children understand that every mistake made in life can teach a lesson.

Seriously, Full House made everything a lesson, and while it seems cheesy, they were usually 100 percent accurate.

Teaching your kids valuable skills is important.

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

Make time for you and your partner.

Or you'll both go nuts — everyone needs a break, especially in the early years of parenting.

You can't expect your kids to want to do chores.

Nobody likes chores, but you can do it like the Arnold family did and make it a group effort.

You and your kids won't always see eye to eye.

It's going to happen a lot, especially as they get older, and that's OK.

Your kids are going to fight with each other.

Give them the skills to get through it.

You won't always understand the phases that your kids go through.

Uncle Phil didn't always "get" Will, but it all turned out fine.

Building an amicable relationship with your child's step-parents makes everyone's life a little easier.

And much more civilized. Ross and Susan eventually put aside their differences to make it work with Carol and baby Ben.

Encourage your children to value education and to be ambitious.

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.

You're not crazy if you talk and sing to your baby before they're born.

They're safely tucked in there, but they can probably hear your awful rendition of that latest top 40 hit.

Not all families look the same.

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.

Giving your children happy childhood memories is so important.

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.

Family is everything.

At the end of the day, family's the most important, whether they're your blood or not.