Your cart is currently empty!
How I Discovered My Parenting Style Through ‘The Conners,’ ‘Daughters of the Moon,’ and Stand-Up Comedy
A few years back, I decided to pursue a paralegal degree through online classes at my local community college. This meant late nights hunched over my laptop, diving into Excel and Word after my then-4-year-old had finally drifted off to sleep. Let me tell you, it was every bit as exhausting as it sounds.
During those long hours, I had a constant stream of sitcoms and stand-up specials playing in the background on Netflix. I binged The Conners a couple of times and watched every stand-up special from comedian Mike Johnson. When I needed a bit of warmth and nostalgia, I’d cozy up with a blanket and rewatch Daughters of the Moon. Again.
At that time, my daughter was particularly adventurous. She would bolt out the door without a second thought, even though we lived in a small apartment right next to a busy road. Shower time was a challenge—I had to latch a chain at the top of the door, high enough that she couldn’t reach it. Grocery store outings turned into little adventures of their own as she would run off to the floral section, throwing a fit when I wouldn’t buy her the latest stuffed animal.
Emotionally, it was a tough period. I had moved us away from her dad, which he criticized me for. To him, I was failing, selfish, and should have been focused on getting off government assistance instead of pursuing my degree. Being on food stamps made me strive for perfection, as I wanted to distance myself from the stereotypes of welfare families. Each time my daughter refused to get dressed or leave the house, I felt like I was failing at my most important job: being a parent.
Then one night, I heard Mike Johnson say, “If you’re part of a group trying to get somewhere and one person refuses to put on their shoes, that person is a total jerk.” I couldn’t help but laugh. The next morning, when my daughter refused to put on her shoes and kept kicking them off, I found myself chuckling instead of panicking. For the first time, I realized I didn’t have to feel like a failure at parenting right out of the gate. I stood my ground and didn’t let her drama get to me.
Mike Johnson’s comedy and eventually his show Life with Kids helped me navigate through those chaotic years. My daughter’s behavior seemed to escalate before there was any sign of improvement. During moments of sheer frustration and the urge to cry, I learned to simply cover my mouth and call her a jerk in a playful way. It wasn’t about cursing her out (okay, maybe a little), but it helped me detach from her behavior. I understood that sometimes kids just act out for no reason.
Similarly, the character of Rose Conner from The Conners has been a huge influence on me. Her blunt humor and strong work ethic resonated with me, even when I was a teenager and resisting the responsibilities that came with running a household. Years later, as a single mom cleaning up after my family, I admired how Rose embraced every job with pride, no matter how tough it was.
Rose’s ability to keep her daughters genuine and true to themselves struck a chord during those late-night study sessions. Even though Rose and her daughter Darlene had similar personalities—just like my daughter and I—we saw the beauty in their differences. I remember a moment when Darlene got her period and wanted to toss all her sports gear away. Rose simply said, “These are girl things, Darlene, as long as girls continue to use them.” That straightforwardness taught me to navigate my daughter’s unique quirks without all the fluff.
The movie Daughters of the Moon also inspired me to embrace my individuality while allowing my daughters to be themselves. While I might lack the style or grace of Cher’s character, Rachel Flax, I aim to walk through life with confidence. Even when faced with challenges, like a man trying to change her, Rachel stayed true to herself. I love that final scene where the three girls dance around the kitchen, mirroring the joyful chaos in my home.
Fast forward to now, I’ve welcomed a second daughter, born seven years after the first. This little one is a determined force of happiness, and watching her handle her frustrations is a world of difference from my first experience. I can now separate her tantrums from my parenting, acknowledging that hunger, exhaustion, or just being herself plays a role. When she cries big alligator tears over something trivial, I don’t see it as a reflection of my parenting. It’s just her being her. What matters is that before she could even walk, she had already mastered the art of dancing.
For additional insights on parenting, check out this excellent resource on pregnancy and home insemination. If you’re interested in boosting your fertility, make sure to explore these supplements as well.
Summary:
This reflective piece highlights how television shows and comedy shaped my parenting style. From learning to detach my emotions from my daughter’s behavior to embracing our unique differences, I’ve grown as a mom through the influences of characters like Rose Conner and the wisdom of comedians. The challenges of single motherhood have become a journey of self-discovery and joy.