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My Brady Bunch (Without the House)
Parenting
My Brady Bunch (Without the House) by Jessie Lane
Updated: Dec. 26, 2023
Originally Published: Jan. 20, 2015
It turns out that Mia needed braces. The eldest of our four kids had a big date coming up, and everything was set. But, as life would have it, chaos ensued before everything fell into place again. Things always seem to get resolved in our house, just like they did in the Brady Bunch.
Our kids quickly became hooked on the series, so much so that we could hardly believe how captivated they were. The six of us live in a “house” that barely contains the whirlwind energy of our boys, ages 9 and 10, and somehow manages to keep the peace with our twin girls, both 8. The girls, bless them, are generally quiet and sweet—at least until the boys try to start a wrestling match or launch an impromptu pillow fight.
Most days, it feels like a circus. The noise is constant, and the neediness is off the charts. I find myself constantly tidying up, picking up toys, mismatched socks, and crumpled papers that seem to multiply like rabbits. I create piles, sort items into bins, and while bins provide a false sense of organization, I often end up making exhausting trips to Ikea for different storage solutions—each one feeling like a small defeat. We strive for systems to manage the chaos, but sometimes the crumbs on the floor are more like whole meals that have been lost in the fray. Seriously, what is this—a petrified piece of cereal? I pry it off the floor with a credit card.
There are ways to keep the kids in check long enough to whip up 20 snacks a day, prepare real meals (for them, of course), and maybe even squeeze in a moment of romance (for us). With books, countless art projects, sports equipment, and a plethora of movies, we keep them entertained. And of course, there’s the ever-popular video game console, which my husband’s son thinks is a must-have. I’m not a fan of the whole gaming scene, fearing the impact it has on my boys’ developing brains, but I find myself in a constant battle to keep it at bay. My son is convinced I’m just stuck in the past. “You’re missing the point of living!” he declares, while his brother nods in agreement.
Navigating these device negotiations with my two spirited boys has me questioning whether I’ve unknowingly signed up for a modern version of family life. “Hello, mini dictators! Do you see our landline over there?” I remind them, pointing to the ancient phone that sits gathering dust. I have my fears about technology, but it seems my kids’ obsession with screens is an uphill battle. Why can’t they see that I want them to experience life beyond the screen? Perhaps it’s the belching competitions and their current obsession with calling things “milkers” that cloud their perspective.
Reflecting on my childhood and how my life has transformed—through divorce, new love, and raising four kids—I found myself drawn back to the Brady Bunch. I felt a wave of nostalgia, remembering how I watched those characters navigate their lives, and how they seemed to always fix everything. Mike and Carol had it all figured out, and let’s be honest, Alice was the true hero. I mean, who wouldn’t want a magical housekeeper like her? The memories of their sunny home, the inviting layout, and even the Jack-and-Jill bathroom haunt me in the best way. It was a dream of a life that felt safe and happy.
As I watch my daughters mimic the Brady sisters, declaring who gets to be Marcia or Jan, I can’t help but feel a pang of nostalgia. Their arguments over which Brady brother is cuter echo my own childhood dreams of what family life could be. The boys, of course, don’t openly admit their favorites, but their expressions say it all. They’re just as captivated as I was, completely absorbed in this retro family dynamic.
We own the entire series, which comes in a vibrant, retro-style box that thrills them with anticipation for each episode. They cannot wait to see the Hawaiian adventure episode, and the mention of a hairy tarantula sends them into squeals of joy. They often ask about how Mike and Carol met or the backstories of the kids, and we find ourselves weaving tales to fill in the gaps.
I understand why my kids adore the show—it’s the same reason I did decades ago. If I dared to interrupt their blissful viewing, I’d remind them that, like the Bradys, we too have our own stories. Our family has faced challenges, but here we are, in our cluttered home, two boys and two girls, and two parents who are slightly frazzled but totally in love. We’re on our own journey of becoming.