The Huxtable Experiment

Problem/Question: Does Huxtable discipline work in "the real world"?

Observation/Research: I have watched many episodes of The Cosby Show and have found similarities between the Huxtable family and my own. I have noted that when there is a dilemma, Claire and Heathcliff resort to routine problem-solving skills.

Formulate a Hypothesis: Maybe, but not always within the 30-minute time frame of an episode. 20 minutes if you count the commercials.

Experiment: Over a short period of time (1 day) I have applied the discipline method of Claire and Heathcliff Huxtable with my own children. Patience, kindness, love, self-control...blah, blah...all the Fruits of the Spirit...then also included a smirk on my face and a bit of silliness such as wide-eyed eye-dancing and talking slowly with solid word-enunciation.

Collect and Analyze Results: The subjects responded well to the discipline. There was less grumbling and arguing. In the case of the teenager, it was not quite as simple to get positive feedback. Even with extra "love" (very scientific), there was some resentment in having to do the dishes twice in one day but they got done. With the 5-year-old, a lack of sleep may have effected the outcome of his response when asked to turn off the X-Box. Although he did turn it off, there was a bit of sulking and a few tears shed...not a normal response for this subject.

Conclusion: Yes, Huxtable discipline can work. It it effective. More research needs to be done when having to discipline 5 children at a time. I only have 3.


So I just used the "Scientific Method" to try to remind myself that there really is a way to discipline my boys through love and patience and I was reminded of this while watching The Cosby Show with my boys. I always "got" the Huxtable family. They were perfect, but in an imperfect way. Take away their professions as a doctor and a lawyer...Take away their fancy brownstone house...and what is left is a normal family, just like my own. I've sewed the ugly shirt, the boys have fought so badly that they should have been locked in the basement like Vanessa and Rudy. The lies that kids tell to cover their butts, the messy rooms, and the funeral for the goldfish....it all really does happen.

I love the Huxtables! I love sharing The Cosby Show with my boys and husband. I love being reminded that the issues of "real life" really do have solutions and that they not always easy to find. I love that there can be evenings when you send all of your kids to bed and you can lay in your own bed with your Honeybee and can have a discussion, turn off the lights, kiss each other "good-night", and then fall asleep in an embrace and with a smile on your face.