What we watch on TV informs how we are the world. The Aussie cartoon Bluey is a great example – now kids all over the world are watching how a traditional nuclear family raise young kids. But with a variety of content available, it can be difficult to understand how videos impact us.
If we, or our kids, see conflict on TV that is unresolved, we can adopt these behaviours ourselves. That means behaviours like stone walling, violence, passive aggression, tantrums and manipulation can all appear ‘normal’ even though they aren’t healthy.
So where does that leave us? No family is perfect, but watching different types of families navigate circumstances, change, business and puberty with love (and laughter) helps us to instil healthy values in our kids. Take a look at these sitcoms next time you want your kids to see a family work towards health. Who knows, you may even enjoy some of them yourself!
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Wizards of Waverley Place
Raising teens in New York City while running a small business is no small task – add in the fact the kids are all wizards, and this comedy is both hilarious and full of family values. Created by the Disney channel from 2007 – 2011, Wizards of Waverly Place embraced the unique characteristics of each sibling, while highlighting the dysfunction of the well meaning parents. Ultimately, this sitcom is a magical exploration of what it means to unite as a family despite conflict and responsibility. Add in elements of a biracial family and a semi adopted daughter Harper who is grappling with parents who are always on the road, and this is a hit.
Streaming on Disney Plus.
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Good Luck Charlie
After raising three kids into their teen years, Amy and Bob Duncan accidentally fall pregnant again, and siblings PJ, Teddy and Gabe learn to live with an infant sister in the suburbs. Revolving around big sister Teddy and her video diaries which she records as a culmination of life lessons for her impending sister, Good Luck Charlie is full of shenanigans. Both parents have strong personalities and are imperfect as they raise four kids, and the small pest control business of the side is an added bonus.
Streaming on Disney Plus.
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Raven’s Home
Spawned from the Disney Channel hit That’s So Raven, Raven’s Home is a spin off almost two decades later and chronicles the life of a now divorced Raven and her twins Nia and Booker. The beauty of this sitcom is that it blends two families together, and we see Raven’s best friend (now a single mum) Chelsea live with the Baxters, along with her son Levi. Without a doubt, every character is eccentric, and the fact Raven (and one of her children) is psychic adds in an element of magic. But the way they navigate teen years as single parents, while a now adult Raven tries to reclaim her own path in life, is something special.
Streaming on Disney Plus.
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Stuck in the Middle
Raised with 6 siblings, tweenage Sydney is stuck in the middle. Not old enough to have freedom and responsibility, but not young enough to receive special treatment from her parents, she feels she must forge her own oath in life. Showing just how resilient, resourceful, adaptative and hilarious kids can be, big families will resonate with this chaotic and fun comedy.
Streaming on Disney Plus.
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The Baby- Sitters Club
Granted, this is not about a traditional family unit, but the Netflix reboot of The Baby Sisters Club shows how tweens from a variety of backgrounds can find identity and purpose together. Kristy is struggling with her mum dating a new man (who comes with two children), Maryanne’s father is so caught in grief he won’t let her grow up, Stacey is living between two cities and has been diagnosed with Diabetes. Dawn has relocated to the other side of the country, Jesse is an Athlete, and Mallory is the oldest of seven kids. Their one commonality? They love baby sitting and each other. This is a great, contemporary and topical take on the beloved 80s book series that grownups and kids will love.
Streaming on Netflix.
Images of Wizards of Waverly Place, Good Luck Charlie, Raven’s Home and Stuck In The Middle copyright Disney and The Disney Channel. Images of The Baby-Sitters Club copyright Netflix. Watersedge Counselling is not affiliated with any streaming providers.
Are you raising children? Are you concerned that what they are watching is impacting them negatively? Contact Rachel on 0442177193 for a FREE 10-minute phone consultation on how we can best help you, or press book now and make an appointment.
