Growing up as an only child, many of the lessons I learned were from a TV. Although this may sound like a bad parenting move from my household, in the long run, it positively shaped the way I look at life. When thinking of my childhood, I vividly remember raving about the newest episode of “Liv and Maddie” with my best friend at recess, or learning about how creating memories impacts your future from “Good Luck Charlie.” Although the dad jokes and terrible acting are undeniable, Disney Channel sitcoms will always be the foundation of my childhood. Although my childhood and its memorable shows have aired their last episodes, the important life lessons have stuck with me the most. Here are three childhood sitcoms that have changed the way I perceive myself without me even realizing it.

“Good Luck Charlie:” 

Coming from a small family, my life was a bit different than Teddy Duncan’s; yet, there is still one commonality between our lives: our desire to cherish our memories. In the modern day, we are constantly taking pictures and videos to reminisce on a memory in the future. Nonetheless, I never did realize what it meant to savor those moments until I had lost the opportunity to create fresh memories with the people I loved most. Looking back, Teddy created daily video diaries for Charlie to watch when she was older, for when she needed a piece of advice, for when she needed someone to empathize with when she felt alone, even for when she just wanted to relive a memory. Those important life lessons Teddy taught Charlie through the small video diaries are an element I long for. When I lost my mom at 15, I realized that all the pictures and home videos I had collected from my childhood were worth thousands of words; although that sounds cliché, it really is true. 

“Hannah Montana:”

Now, this show was never my dad’s first pick when clicking through the guide to find something for me to watch; even to this day, he thinks Miley Cyrus is a “complete nut” (his words, not mine). However, after rewatching the episodes countless times, I realize that Miley’s story was not just about being an international superstar, it was about embracing yourself for who you are. Our physical appearance has become such a vital part of our society that it is hard at times to avoid the voices in your head telling you to become someone you really are not to please others. “Hannah Montana” may have gone on tours across the nation and fallen in love with Malibu’s “top hotties” but she also taught young girls how to be themselves.

“Girl Meets World:”

Lastly, the show that taught me the most about the value of friendship from a young age. If you were to ask my younger self what my life would look like at 17, I can guarantee you she would not tell you an accurate statement. When this sitcom entered my life, I saw it as a sequel to a show my mom used to watch when she was a teenager, but it is really more than that. It is about overcoming the conflicts that arise in life, celebrating each other’s accomplishments and most importantly, what it looks like to be a genuine friend. After many triumphs and tragedies within my life, my friends are the people I lean on the most when things get hard. This Disney sitcom has always reminded me that even if you are not related, your friends are your family and they are the people that will always be there no matter what.