Growing Pains

Season 1

TV-G

27%25%

Fatherhood has taken on a whole new meaning for Jason Seaver, who has assumed the chores of cooking, cleaning and minding the kids so that his wife, Maggie, can pursue a career in journalism after spending 15 years as a housewife.

22 Episodes

Pilot
E1
Episode 1PilotMaggie goes back to work as a journalist, prompting psychologist Jason to move his office into their home so he can keep his eye on the kids. Things don't get off to a great start: the first night he gets a call from the police that Mike has been picked up for illegally driving a car.
Springsteen
E2
Episode 2SpringsteenJason embarrasses Mike at a Bruce Springsteen concert when they are interviewed together.
Jealousy
E3
Episode 3JealousyJason fumes when Maggie spends long hours on a toxic waste story with handsome co-worker Fred.
Carol's Article
E4
Episode 4Carol's ArticleMaggie gives an honest assessment of Carol's writing of an article for her school magazine; Mike and Ben discover track betting.
Superdad!
E5
Episode 5Superdad!Maggie accuses Jason of monopolizing the children.
Mike's Madonna Story
E6
Episode 6Mike's Madonna StoryA Madonna-styled teenage seductress wreaks havoc in the Seaver household when she appears at their doorstep in some rather revealing clothing looking for Mike and plotting to make him her next seduction.
Weekend Fantasy
E7
Episode 7Weekend FantasyWhen Jason and Maggie leave Mike in charge for the weekend while they return to a romantic hide-away they found 15 years ago, they can't stop worrying about their children. Dennis Haysbert guest stars.
Slice of Life
E8
Episode 8Slice of LifeComing across a compatibility test in Jason's office, Maggie decides she and Jason should fill it out, but her answers don't tab with his. Meanwhile, Mike feigns interest in karate when his real goal is a girl attending the course.
Carol's Crush
E9
Episode 9Carol's CrushCarol develops a crush on a family friend, who thinks of her as his little sister.
Dirt Bike
E10
Episode 10Dirt BikeMike hurts more than his pride when he takes a nasty fall off a dirt bike that he promised his parents he wouldn't go near.
Standardized Test
E11
Episode 11Standardized TestMike doodles on his aptitude test and winds up with an IQ score of 27.
A Christmas Story
E12
Episode 12A Christmas StoryA depressed department store Santa consulting Jason decides to commit suicide by leaping down the Seavers' chimney.
The Love Song of M. Aaron Seaver
E13
Episode 13The Love Song of M. Aaron SeaverMike backs out of the family-bowling match so he can date a snobbish girlfriend.
First Blood
E14
Episode 14First BloodAfter a fistfight with Ben's hockey coach, Jason is left with the task of explaining that fighting is not the way to get the job done, while Maggie endures the hardship of teaching Mike ballroom dancing.
Slice of Life II
E15
Episode 15Slice of Life IIMaggie casually mentions to Jason that she might be pregnant; Mike acts as a weekend servant to Ben; and Carol wants to divorce her class-project husband.
The Seavers vs. the Cleavers
E16
Episode 16The Seavers vs. the CleaversThe PTA head rejects the Seavers as dance chaperones.
Charity Begins at Home
E17
Episode 17Charity Begins at HomeBen gives Jason a very expensive birthday present, causing speculation on how he can possibly afford it.
Reputation
E18
Episode 18ReputationMike writes test answers on his shoe soles.
The Anniversary That Never Was
E19
Episode 19The Anniversary That Never WasMaggie's assignment interferes with anniversary plans.
Be a Man
E20
Episode 20Be a ManEveryone but Mike goes to visit Maggie's parents. But when they arrive, they discover that they are selling their house. Maggie offers to give the money they need to keep them from selling the house. But her dad is too proud and doesn't want anything from Jason. Mike decides to throw a party but when people whom he didn't invite show up, who in turn invite more people, things get out of hand.
Career Decision
E21
Episode 21Career DecisionReporter Maggie and psychiatrist Jason both face important career decisions.
Extra Lap
E22
Episode 22Extra LapMike's practical-joker uncle Bob visits from the hereafter.