I’m not planning on having kids for a while (don’t worry @mom @dad, I can barely handle my dog). But when the time comes, you better believe they'll be on the couch with a bowl of popcorn, watching the magic that is “Rugrats” on whatever high-tech alien TV device is available.

Those of us raised on Tommy Pickles and his courageous companions -- back in the era of light-up shoes and Nickelodeon slime -- learned plenty of crucial life lessons that any parent would want to pass on. These kids were the world’s best teachers...and, yes, they wore diapers. Grab a juice box and let's take a walk down memory lane.

We learned to take risks

You’re not truly living if you always play it safe. The Rugrats understood that. Whether they were trying to find Reptar or just trying to escape from their playpen, these babies kept things exciting and fresh. We should all try to do that more often.

We learned the importance of a solid friend group

It was hard to wrap our heads around at the time, but the Rugrats exemplified what it meant to have close friends. Through thick and thin, they stood (or crawled) by each other. Whether it was taking responsibility for Tommy’s crazy plans or helping Chuckie overcome his many fears, they pushed one another to grow into better people. Isn't that what friends are for?

We learned about consequences

And I was terrified of skunks ever since. I still have nightmares about whatever that bath concoction was.

We learned how to be comfortable with ourselves

These babies proved that it doesn’t matter if your best friend is a doll -- you're still cool! They taught us that being different was something admirable, not something to be looked down on. It seems that as we get older, we lose sight of this, and it's definitely worth remembering.

We learned how to deal with bullies

The Rugrats had to deal with one on a daily basis. I'm talking about Angelica, of course, who constantly tried to ruin the babies' fun and played dirty tricks such as convincing them that Spike could talk. They stood up to her and often outsmarted her, proving that -- like many bullies -- Angelica was just unhappy with her own life. At least she got nicer in later years.

We learned the power of a healthy imagination

Whether they were going to the moon via an RV or trying to extract a watermelon seed from a stomach (I didn’t eat watermelon for a year), the Rugrats taught us that sometimes we have to create our own fun and shouldn’t take life too seriously. There is really no excuse to say "I'm bored" after seeing what these kids came up with. Side note: They all probably would have had awesome college essays.

We learned to listen to those who may be wiser

...even if sometimes they don't give us the advice we want to hear, or we can't fully understand their message.

We learned that balance is necessary

As a kid, I used to look up to Tommy, but viewed Chuckie as boring and cowardly. In retrospect, I admire and respect him. We shouldn't live too dangerously or too conservatively, and it's important to strike a balance. Chuckie is the voice of reason that we all need in life.

We learned about other cultures and religions

We all know at least one thing about Hanukkah, Passover, and Kwanzaa thanks to a few classic "Rugrats" episodes. I definitely want my kids to respect everyone's backgrounds and beliefs.

We learned that life isn’t always easy

Rarely is anything handed to you, and sometimes there will be speed bumps along the way (like worrying the bathtub drain will pull you in). But if you're able to deal with adversity and push forward, someday you'll be all grown up.

I still have a place in my heart for a show that taught me not to take life too seriously, and that there's really no substitute for a strong group of friends. It promoted creativity, loyalty, and (most importantly) napping. I, for one, want my future kids to know the importance of being kind and courageous, and that ultimately, when it comes down to it, a baby’s gotta do what a baby’s gotta do.