Some TV shows come and go. You watch them, you move on, you forget about them. And then there are the ones that crawl under your skin, make a home in your heart, and become an emotional support series for six seasons straight.
That’s Parenthood. And now? It’s over. And I am an emotional wreck.
Finale watched. Tears shed. And I mean full-body sobs, the kind where you clutch a blanket to your chest and whisper, “I’m fine,” even though you’re clearly not.
A Show That Felt Too Real
For six glorious seasons, Parenthood wasn’t just TV – it was therapy. It was messy family dynamics, raw parenting moments, and the kind of real-life chaos that felt all too familiar. This wasn’t some glossy, scripted fantasy where everything works out neatly in 42 minutes – this was the Bravermans, a loud, complicated, deeply lovable family that felt like they could live down the street.
They fought, they forgave, they went through divorces, illnesses, heartbreak, rebellious kids, unexpected pregnancies, career crises, and that whole Max vs. mainstream school debate that every SEN parent felt in their soul.
And let’s not forget:
💔 Kristina’s cancer battle – Because apparently, Parenthood wanted to wreck us permanently.
💍 Julia and Joel’s marriage breakdown and reconciliation – A rollercoaster that left me emotionally winded.
👶 Amber’s pregnancy – Every Braverman coming together to support her? Please, I am not okay.
🎶 Every single gut-wrenching musical montage – Sufjan Stevens? Death Cab for Cutie? Are you kidding me?
The Finale That Left Me a Sobbing, Broken Shell of a Person
The last episode? An absolute emotional assassination.
🚑 Zeek’s passing – We knew it was coming, but that didn’t make it any less soul-destroying. The family’s grief felt too real. When Camille scattered his ashes on the baseball field? Finished. Absolutely finished.
🎤 The flash-forward scenes – Seeing where everyone ends up? Joel and Julia with FOUR kids, Amber marrying a literal saint while Ryan still stays in their lives, Crosby keeping The Luncheonette alive… it was beautiful, bittersweet, and way too much for my delicate emotional state.
🏆 The baseball game – Zeek’s final wish. The Bravermans playing together, his chair empty, his presence felt… perfection.
It was sad tears, happy tears, all the tears. And that final song? Forever Young by Bob Dylan? Are they trying to kill me??
Why This Show Hit Different as a Parent
There’s something about watching a show like Parenthood when you actually have kids. You start off thinking, Oh, this will be a nice little drama about family life and before you know it, you’re knee-deep in existential dread about how fast time moves, whether you’re screwing up your kids, and if you’ll ever be emotionally prepared to let them go.
It forces you to sit with some brutal truths:
💡 Parenting is hard, beautiful, exhausting, and the most rewarding thing you’ll ever do – all at once.
💡 You will screw up. You will apologise. And your kids will still love you.
💡 Family is messy. But the good moments outweigh the bad.
As parents, we suppress so much – we have to keep it together, be strong, be “fine” even when we’re unraveling. And then a show like Parenthood comes along and forces you to feel every single thing you’ve been bottling up for years.
Honestly? It’s cathartic. It’s necessary. And sometimes you just need a good, ugly cry.
What Now? Moving on From the Bravermans
So what do I do now? Just… go back to watching normal TV like nothing happened? Pretend I’m not emotionally attached to a fictional family? Start another show knowing nothing will ever compare? Unlikely.
But if there’s one thing Parenthood has taught me, it’s this:
💛 Love your people. Hug your kids. Show up. Life moves fast. Make it count.
Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to drink an entire bottle of wine and scroll through the Parenthood subreddit for closure, or perhaps just go to bed.
💬 Did the Parenthood finale ruin you too? Let me know in the comments before I start rewatching from Season 1.