Rob and Katie

Today, I turn to a classic 1960s tv show for some metaphorical inspiration.   

Recently, I ran across an episode of “My Three Sons” and there were a lot of messages in this one 30 minute show that apply to so many people I know.

Folks have family issues, health problems, job woes. March has come in like a lion, it seems, in more ways that one.

Maybe if we step back in time to a simpler time, we can gain a little wisdom from a 60s sitcom.

If you remember the setup for “My Three Sons,” widower Steve Douglas is raising his three sons. The show deals with a lot of common family mini-dramas - from girlfriends to pets to sicknesses. You know…life.

The family moves from the Midwest to California about halfway through the show’s run. Just after they move to California, middle son Robby (who became the oldest son when his big brother, Mike, left the show and the family adopted Ernie to keep the three sons intact) meets a California girl, Katie. The two of them marry and begin a family.

Everyone celebrates when they learn Katie is expecting a baby but the family has to make major adjustments when her one baby actually turns into triplets. Or:  “My Three Sons” for a new generation. The adjustment to the three sons instead of one is where I come in with the latest attempt at rescuing a metaphor.

The Unexpected
Rob and Katie are trying to deal with the unexpected news that they will be raising triplets. In the episode titled “Back to Earth” they are struggling to cope with this new reality.

Often we encounter news that is, in the words of Holly as a youngster, “not what I was expecting.’’ Sometimes how we adjust to the surprise is more important than the surprise itself.

The thing is…life is full of surprises. Some are filled with good news; others are not. The challenge is stepping up to deal with those that aren’t so good. In the end, dealing with the surprise successfully helps us grow as individuals and become stronger.

Little Problems
As Rob is dealing with his major stress, we learn that his two younger brothers have independent concerns of their own. Chip, we learn, is being threatened by a bully; Ernie, must deal with a broken clarinet.

Steve finds time to prioritize and give them advice even as he is also dealing with Rob’s stress.

In life, it seems like there is always someone who has a bigger problem than we do. And yet, that doesn’t make our own issues any less valid. Sometimes, working through the punchlist of crises is a bit like triage. Some need to be resolved right away; others can wait a while.

But at the end of the day, we all need resolution. With some time management and prioritization, it can be done.

Rash Decisions
Rob’s reacts to all this stress in “Back to Earth” by deciding to quit school and find a job. It’s a hasty plan and a rash decision. Fortunately, he thinks better of the plan and agrees to finish his college education.

This is a great life lesson.

As much as we want to react to a stressful situation by making a major decision, history tells us this is the actually the worst time to make a life-altering decision. Better to stay the course.

Overwhelmed
The young Douglasses are overwhelmed with the care of their three sons and Rob’s first inclination is to forego assistance. Somehow, he is convinced he shouldn’t be depending on his extended family for help. Of course, his dad, brothers and uncle are more than happy to help out.

Robby wants to go it alone.

Later, of course, he relents, he reaches out to family and we have a happy ending for the episode.

The take-away, I think, is that if you are overwhelmed, it is okay to ask for help. In fact, many people are more than happy to assist. The flipside, though, is that we shouldn’t over ask. It’s not great to be overly dependent on folks when you really don’t need to be.

It’s a delicate balance but it can be achieved.

So, you see, just like Steve Douglas would do, we rolled all of this into one neat package, solved a laundry list of problems and it didn’t take more than 30 minutes (only 22 if you subtract the commercials).

JG

Originally posted 3/5/2013