Healthy You
One of my favorite TV shows to watch during my teen years was Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman.
Perhaps it was the pioneer setting (much like my beloved Little House on the Prairie).
Perhaps it was the love story–with season after season of longing glances–between Michaela and Sully.
Or perhaps it was Dr. Mike’s sheer determination to raise her three adopted children to the best of her ability while earning the respect of the townspeople–whom she sought to doctor despite the fact that she was a woman.
Whatever did it, I remember my 13-year-old heart racing and my sister and I squealing to the familiar music that meant it was time for each weekly episode to begin.
It had been a long, long time since I had tuned in to Dr. Quinn.
And then–a few weeks back–I snagged the entire series for a rock-bottom price on Amazon.com.
When my 42-dvd set arrived? I squealed just like that giddy teenager of the 1990s.
Mind you, I’m still on season 1, but I’m already learning quite a bit from ‘ol Dr. Quinn, including what it means to be a humbled homemaker.
What Dr. Quinn Taught Me About Being a Humbled Homemaker
1. You don’t have to know it all–or do it all perfectly.
Dr. Mike was trained to be a doctor–not a homemaker. Born and reared in the big city of Boston, she felt clueless as to how to even begin setting up home in her log cabin rental in Colorado Springs.
In fact, in the very first episode she says: “I just don’t know how to be a homemaker.”
Oh, Dr. Quinn, I thought. I hear you on that one!
But she didn’t give up. She didn’t let her lack of experience stop her from learning how to take care of herself and her family.
2. You can be a mother–even when you don’t feel cut out for motherhood.
Dr. Mike didn’t have nine months to prepare for motherhood. In one bite of a rattlesnake, her friend’s death left her with three children to raise.
When motherhood was thrust upon her, Dr. Quinn felt ill-equipped.
But instead of running from her new found responsibilities, she embraced them.
She may have not turned into the stereotypical “perfect” pioneer mother (let’s be honest: She was no Ma Ingalls!), but, instead, she became the mother God made her to be.
Her children grew up watching her perform surgeries and heal the sick. Her daughter ended up following in her footsteps, as she became a medical doctor herself!
image by falco
3. You can achieve many things through determination and a strong will.
My firstborn is a strong-willed child. And you know what? I do not see that as a bad thing. Weak and strong-willed children alike are sinners.
But when a strong-willed person decides to do right? Miraculous things can happen.
Dr. Quinn’s determination and will to succeed as both a homemaker and a doctor served her well and enabled her to make an impact on many lives.
image by tpsdave
4. You can learn a lot from others.
Dr. Quinn learned how to cook from her adopted teenage daughter.
She felt like she was going out on a limb to join the quilting circle, but she did just that when she wanted to learn how to sew.
And when tasked with caring for an abandoned infant, she sought the advice of another young mother.
The best way to learn how to be a homemaker? Seek to learn from other homemakers. So many have paved the path we now tread–and they are willing to teach!
5. You can dream while running (and not neglecting) a home.
It was controversial then, and it can be controversial now as well. Should homemakers have any outside interests, or should they be singly-focused on just the home?
Or maybe…just maybe…could the two be intertwined?
Dr. Quinn was a doctor and a homemaker. And she did both well.
Instead of neglecting one for the other, each role in her life sharpened her to be the best Michaela Quinn she could be.
Sarah
Yep, I went on a Dr. Quinn marathon thanks to our library I think I’m up to Season 4 or 5 then hubby begged me to take a break – he might be afraid I’ll try to re-create a prairie like existence LOL my season 3 of Little House is now here too. I may just have to buy Dr. Quinn but it’s hard knowing the library has them all and others aren’t beating down the doors to loan them. I liked reading this post though.
Jaime S.
Where did you find that stove?! I want one so bad….maybe for a back up, or beauty or whatever.
My girls and I absolutely LOVED the Dr Quinn series I got last March….binge watching at first then slowing down to make it last as long as possible. Now we’re rereading LHOTP and I got the digitally remastered Season One.
Another great series of movies is the Love Comes Softly series of movies (which is based on a book series).
I may love my electricity and modern conveniences but I know I’ve learned many things from these series.
Sarah
Oh yes, I have all those thanks to my MIL (hubby wasn’t very thrilled LOL – I need to have a Love Comes Softly day). The books are awesome and I read those first – they are Janette Oke.
Rebekah
Ah, I so agree… homemaking is not a narrow set of duties and rules, but can intertwine so many interests and skills, according to how God has made us! We’re definitely called to certain responsibilities but how we carry them out can look so very different. I value homemaking highly and it makes me sad to see people downplay it because they think it must only consist of washing dishes, dusting, and changing a baby’s diaper. Obviously it does include those things 🙂 but my goodness, so much more. It is a rich field of learning, work, and beauty.
Kristen @ Joyfullythriving
Awww, Dr. Quinn! There must be something about our generation and this show, because my sister and I loved this show too! Watching it as a grown-up, I’ve realized how many of the heated looks between Dr. Mike and Sully that I missed in years past. 🙂 Great take-aways about homemaking. I enjoyed the reminders!
Kristin
I loved Dr. Quin!
I don’t know for sure what I learned from TV…I think I too would have to review my favorite shows. I liked 7th Heaven back in the day because as chaotic as things are with a truck load of kids, they always handled the “situation of the week” with peace.
Beth
I LOVED Dr. Quinn. I really need to track down some of those DVD’s!
Elise @ Harvey Ever After
Oh, Dr. Quinn! I loved that show as a child; my mom and I would watch it all the time! Reading your post definitely makes me want to watch it again. I think you’d love the books by one of my favorite Christian authors – Kim Vogel Sawyer. I’ve reviewed some of her books on my blog if you’re interested in checking them out!
Elise
Lara
I didn’t get into Dr. Quinn when it was on tv, but I’ve been watching it daily now that it’s on a couple of channels during the day. I’ve now added it to my love of Little House (what girl doesn’t want to run a house like Ma Ingalls and marry a man like Almanzo?), 7th Heaven (that I watched while it was actually a show that was on every Sunday or Monday night), and The Walton’s (Olivia Walton was another awesome mother).
Erica
Yes, I enjoy Dr. Quinn, as well as Little House…I also enjoy 7th Heaven 🙂
Christina
I love Dr. Quinn! My best friend and I had a tradition when we younger….each week I went to her house for supper, we did homework & then watched Dr. Quinn. Now our family watches it on INSP and even my hubby enjoys it. Watching Little House & The Waltons growing up and now as a homemaker I am drawn towards Michaela, Caroline Ingalls & Olivia Walton, they are all strong, faith-filled woman. I have also had a strong admiration for Dr. Quinn because of her strong will and willingness to try again & again whenever she felt like a failure. She exemplifies what it means to be a woman of strength, determination and courage all while putting her family first and foremost.
Shary
I love Dr. Quinn!!!
eve
I too love dr quinn, but watching with my children how do you deal with the kissing scenes ??… I kiss my husband in front of my children but it’s awkward when it’s on whatever you are watching….I don’t kiss him like they kiss , like mouth wide open etc.;-)..like I said its alright with me ..but awkward for children…??? Any ideas??
Lori
I LOVE Dr. Quinn, and she actually sparked my passion for herbal remedies….my ex used to call it voodoo til he came home with the flu one night and I fixed him a cup of lemon balm/perppermint/catnip tea; after that he called it “his tea”.
Evelyn
How much was the sale price? Oh man, I wish I had known. Maybe they’ll run the sale again
sarah
i actually saw a woman “deliver” on dr quinn for the first time, and i immediately was captivated. when most little girls my age played at being a princess, i pretended to be a babycatcher. now i am on my way to becoming a doula and midwife. thanks, dr quinn!
Aimee
I always loved that show as a little girl! I guess it’s no wonder why I want to live on a little farm in Alaska completely off the grid! I loved her fierce independence and perseverance no matter how many people doubted her. Now I want to watch re-runs…
Sarah
If you have Amazon Prime, all the seasons of Dr. Quinn are also on Amazon Instant Video!