I was born in 1985, so I always felt like Danny Tanner was my adoptive uncle. I spent countless hours watching him and the rest of the Tanners struggle through their 1990s problems, laughing along as each episode built to a crescendo—a life lesson, delivered over soft, encouraging music. Classic stuff if you ask me. I remember spending pretty much every Friday night at my house, huddled around the TV with bowls of popcorn and cans of Surge, watching the Tanners, Urkel, and Corey Matthews until I fell asleep. Ah, the good ‘ol days.
As a kid, I thought the TGIF lineup was just pure comedy. Now, as a parent, I realize those TGIF shows were so popular because they were sharing truth in comedic ways. For an entire generation, those families modeled a wholesome way to navigate complex relational issues. Were they perfect? No, of course not. But those shows did their best to offer advice on problems a lot of people face. It’s a reason reruns of TGIF shows are still on TV. I think we can learn a lot about parenting today by looking back. Here are 5 life lessons TGIF got right.
1. Family should matter.
Did I do thaaaaaat? Who could forget Steve Urkel? He was the suspenders-wearing irritant who just wouldn’t stay away from the Winslows. Was he a nerd and a pest? Yes. But what stuck out to me is that he wanted to learn life lessons from a good family. He’d constantly pop in because he so desperately wanted to be an honorary Winslow. Family Matters taught us that family really should matter. It’s the foundation of society, and the show reminded us to prioritize, strengthen, and cherish our own. A steady family, with an active father and mother, is a building block kids need.
2. Family should be reliable.
Full House wasn’t just about the dad. It was about the uncles who chose to move in and help out. Family should be reliable. When times are tough and struggles happen—and they will—families must stick together. Galatians 6:2 teaches us to “bear one another’s burdens. The show’s main life lesson was the importance of community, and how the family is the first place we learn to care for others.
3. Family is about choosing to love.
Step By Step and Sister, Sister were about blended families. No two families look the same, but one thing present in both shows was love. Each child was loved by his or her parents and stepparents. We get to choose love. A verse that’s often cited in wedding vows, 1 Corinthians 13:13, says three things will last forever: faith, hope, and love, and adds the “greatest of these is love.” A life built on love is a richer life. God’s way of life, which is always about loving first, is a great model for us and will deepen our relationships if we live it.
4. Family is complicated.
I loved Mr. Feeney, but Boy Meets World stressed me out. There was so much conflict, angst, and brokenness woven into the plot. But as unstable as everything felt, unity was always the goal. We must strive for harmony with our family members even when struggles arise, remembering that complicated doesn’t equal doomed. How do we achieve that? Empathize and prioritize understanding each other better.
5. There will be growing pains.
The Seaver kids were usually getting into trouble, forcing the parents to juggle work, squabbles, and discipline in every episode. Family isn’t always easy, and the ups and downs require lots of patience. Growing Pains wasn’t part of the TGIF lineup for long, but I remember it well. The parents, Jason and Maggie, got frustrated when their kids messed up, but they also kept their cool. They understood the heart behind Proverbs 15:18, which says, “Hot tempers cause arguments, but patience brings peace.” We must do the same with our kids, demonstrating control over our emotions and bringing peace to our homes.
Sound off: Which other TV shows offer great life lessons?
Huddle up with your kids and ask, “What are your top three favorite TV shows?”