There are countless parenting experts with books, videos, courses, brochures and all sort of parenting propaganda. But we ain’t buying it.

Instead, we prefer to learn the hidden lessons from our favorite movies and TV shows (do not try this at home). What if all of our lives were a simple calculation of deriving immense meaning from the seemingly meaningless?

Case in point, what if “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” were actually a parenting manual in disguise?

1. Study Great Art

There is something powerful about great works of art, including but not limited to films like “Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure” or the Mona Lisa.

2. Speak Up When Something Isn’t Working

I fall into this one a good deal. I try to move forward, and sometimes need to admit that working on things isn’t the same as failing at things. Parenting is amorphous. There is no perfect. Thus, mileage may vary and we need to be okay with that. And by okay, I mean make it okay by admitting sometimes stuff isn’t okay. Make sense?

3. Never Underestimate Your Kids

Kids say the darnedest things. They also tell the darnedest lies, do the craziest stuff and have the wildest imaginations. It’s a recipe for WHAT THE HECK?”

4. Try To Have A Little Fun With Your Kids

Parenting is hard. Kids are fun. Take advantage of those moments in between screaming, whining, crying, sleeping, eating, farting, burping, puking, and falling asleep.

5. When All Else Fails, Party

Let’s be brutally honest with each other for a moment: parenting is a finite thing. You only get so many moments and experiences. Make them what you’d like them to be. Pick your battles, plan your escape, enjoy the little victories. They aren’t giving out previously owned memories, right? Bake some of your own.

As Ferris Bueller is so oft-quoted: “Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.”

And “Save Ferris!”