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Yes, I know that The Andy Griffith Show is NOT a movie.

However, my husband recently got a membership with Netflix and we now have available to us so many of the TV series from years ago.

I can remember watching The Andy Griffith Show…loving and kind Sheriff Andy Taylor, well-meaning Aunt Bee and little Opie.  It was a great family show!

The other night, we watched the very first episode of the very first season…originally telecast in 1960…it ran for 8 seasons!

Blended families often have unique problems…step-parents worry that the children of their new spouse may not accept them, the children resent this new person who, in their eyes, can never take the place of their natural parent.

This first episode addressed that issue. 

Sheriff Taylor is a widower and his long-time housekeeper, who had been caring for his son, has just gotten married and is moving away.  Sheriff Taylor contacts his Aunt Bee and asks her to move in as a replacement.  Young Opie rejects her immediately.  He is rude and refuses to join in any activities where she is present…he misses the other housekeeper and doesn’t believe he can love anyone else who tries to take her place.   Aunt Bee tries to bond with Opie…but she doesn’t seem to be able to do the things he enjoys such as fishing.  When she hooks one and sees the little wiggling fish at the end of her line, she runs off into the woods – screaming! 

When Aunt Bee decides to go back home, Opie begs her to stay because he believes she won’t be able to get along by herself since she doesn’t know how to do important things…like fishing.  She needs HIS help!

If you are experiencing a similar problem, take a look at this episode…it will give you hope.

And, even if you are not, it was a wonderful series that brings us back to a “kinder, gentler” time.  Like The Waltons and Little House on the Prairie, The Andy Griffith Show reminds us that family values are important and family time spent together is priceless.

Summer is coming sooner than you think and children will be out of school and looking for things to do.  For a great resource that provides HUNDREDS of fun-filled, educational, self-esteem building activities for the entire family (older siblings can help their younger brothers and sisters by reading the stories to them and assisting with the craft project…and the whole family can prepare the recipe together)…please go to my website and check out SHOW ME HOW! BUILD YOUR CHILD’S SELF-ESTEEM THROUGH READING, CRAFTING AND COOKING.

Come by tomorrow for Make-A-Meal Monday.  I’ll also be up-dating my website with new activities for the month of May and a special offer in celebration of Children’s Book Week – May 2-May 8 – the oldest national literary event in the US and Mother’s Day – May 8.