10 Parenting Lessons We’ve Learned From Only Murders in the Building

Entertainment Craig Blankenhorn/Hulu Because wrangling kids and trying to track down a murderer is basically the same thing. by Sydni Ellis July 26, 2022

Only Murders in the Building on Hulu is a whodunit-style murder mystery/comedy series about Mabel, Charles, and Oliver’s search for the murderer in the Arconia, but it also offers valuable parenting lessons. (Note: spoilers ahead!)

Craig Blankenhorn/Hulu

#1. A found family counts, too.

Charles, Oliver, and Mabel are unlikely friends, but this trio have built an unbreakable bond. A found family is still a family, and this series illustrates that in the cutest way. Craig Blankenhorn/Hulu

#2. Record everything.

You don’t want to miss a priceless tidbit for your podcast or a hilarious kid moment for the family group chat, so follow Oliver’s lead and always be recording! (It’s also OK to ask your kid to repeat something cute they said.) Craig Blankenhorn/Hulu

#3. You shouldn’t always protect your kids.

The trio discovered Teddy’s son, Theo, pushed Zoe off the roof, leading Teddy to blackmail Tim Kono and say he saw Oscar do it instead. In this case, he should have just let Theo deal with the consequences. Craig Blankenhorn/Hulu

#4. It’s OK to miss your ex’s kid more than your ex.

Charles and Emma have been broken up for a while, but he still misses Lucy… his ex-girlfriend’s daughter. He felt a fatherly bond with Emma and still makes her favorite omelet every day in honor of her. Craig Blankenhorn/Hulu

#5. Dip counts as dinner.

“I haven’t had a real entrée in years,” said Oliver, and also, your toddler. Ketchup is a dip, so that counts as dinner, too. Craig Blankenhorn/Hulu

#6. It takes a village.

Since Mabel’s dad died, she was raised by a single mom and spent school breaks at the Arconia with her Aunt Salma, whose apartment Mabel currently lives in. This shows how important it is for parents to have support. Craig Blankenhorn/Hulu

#7. Don’t ask your kids for money.

Even in a tough financial situation (like threat of eviction), you shouldn’t ask your kids for money. Just don’t. Oliver did, and he became estranged from his son, Will, and his grandchildren because of it. Craig Blankenhorn/Hulu

#8. Share passions with your kids (but not in secret)

Little Charles followed his dad to auditions before growing up to star in Brazzos, but it was always a secret. Mr. Savage told Charles not to tell his mom because she is a “dream killer.” (Not ideal.) Barbara Nitke/Hulu

#9. Embrace your kids’ fashion sense.

Hey, bundling up in a furry orange coat makes Mabel happy, and it might make your kid happy too. If they like their coats, then they’re more likely to wear them, right? Craig Blankenhorn/Hulu

#10. Confidence is key.

Whether you’re accidentally naming the wrong person as a murderer or trying to answer your kids’ endless questions about dinosaurs, being confident is all that matters. Craig Blankenhorn/Hulu