The new Netflix series "One Day at a Time" is based on the American sitcom series of the same name in 1975 with a few new twists. The show has been updated to include different traditions from a Hispanic perspective and it also includes LGBTQ motifs. This show has my heart because the family is similar to mine in so many ways. I lost my grandma in January, so Lydia comforts me to see my grandma’s spirit still among us. The Alvarez family quickly becomes your family because you start to care about the characters and their milestones through life. This show teaches you many lessons, but these are the top 5.
1. Don’t rely on others when you can do it yourself.
Penelope Alvarez is a divorced military mom, and she has gone through war both figuratively and physically. She decides to leave her ex-husband for reasons that could endanger her two kids and herself. Penelope is a strong character that doesn’t allow anyone to come between her and her family. Single parents are often portrayed as strong characters because they have to do everything on their own. Sometimes you have to rely on yourself to get things done, and not rely on those around you to do such. She works full time as a nurse and pays for everything minus the small amount of money from the child support check. Talk about badassery.
2. Doesn’t matter how crappy your day is, always look your best.
Lydia Riera, known also as Abuelita, is the grandma that stays with Penelope to help look after Penelope’s kids. Abuelita cooks breakfast, makes the coffee (Cuban coffee to be exact), and does the housework when Penelope can’t. She always looks good even though she could be going through something. This shows that you should always practice self-care. If that means taking a shower or putting on your favorite lipstick, then you should do it. She always has makeup, earrings, necklaces and nice clothes on to face the day. She never leaves the house without her signature lipstick “Scarlet Sunrise”. She often gets stepped on, but when it becomes too much, her fire comes out.
3. Always be yourself.
Elena Alvarez is the oldest kid and very similar to Lydia. Elena is not afraid to tell anyone her opinions or fight for what she believes in. Elena teaches everyone to fight for what you believe in. If you don't believe in gun control, go fight for stricter laws and regulations. As the series goes on, she discovers herself through her fight to save the world. We see her struggle to really get to know herself through what she discovers about herself. She is someone that you should never cross but should get to know. She is passionate about those closest to her but is very socially awkward. She tries to not be herself and that never works because it always comes bursting through. She is as strong as her mother but in a different way.
4. Its okay to be a kid.
Alex Alvarez is the youngest kid in the household and also the only boy in the house. He gave himself the title "The man of the house" because of his traditional views that he needs to protect the women in the house. When kids come from a single parent household, there is pressure to sometimes be the "mom or the dad of the house". Kids should be allowed to be kids. He is not out of middle school yet to put it into perspective. There is always pressure for him to be manly because of traditional views, but there is always a fight for him to be himself. He protects his older sister as she goes through her struggle and even gives her dating advice since he has most of the charm in the house (aside from Lydia).
5. Its okay to talk about your past even though it isn't great.
Schneider is the landlord of the property that the Alvarez family lives in. He owns the property and is the handyman. He inserts himself into the Alvarez family dynamic because he never had, what he considers, a proper family. The Alvarez women take him in grudgingly because Abuelita (Lydia) loves having him around. Since he grew up being ignored by his dad and his stepmothers, he would strike out to get attention through drugs and alcohol. He went through rehab a few times, but he makes it through. People don't often talk about their problems to other people. It has been shown that support from those around you help more than tackling problems on your own. He willingly talks about his past, so he makes everyone around him feel better.
"One Day at a Time" is a great tv show if you want a strong family dynamic and a lot of comedy mixed in. It touches on a lot of issues that are evident today in society. It presents a new perspective on the Latin and the LGBTQ+ community. There are a lot of lessons to be learned from this show, but these are my top 5.
