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Growing Pains
Overview
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.
Status
Ended
Created By
Neal Marlens
Network
ABC
Seasons & Episodes
Season 1
Episodes
Pilot
Maggie 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
Jason embarrasses Mike at a Bruce Springsteen concert when they are interviewed together.
Jealousy
Jason fumes when Maggie spends long hours on a toxic waste story with handsome co-worker Fred.
Carol's Article
Maggie gives an honest assessment of Carol's writing of an article for her school magazine; Mike and Ben discover track betting.
Superdad!
Maggie accuses Jason of monopolizing the children.
Mike's Madonna Story
Mike's infatuation with a Madonna look-alike worries Maggie.
Weekend Fantasy
Jason and Maggie want to go to a mountain lodge for a weekend, but are reluctant to leave the kids alone.
Slice of Life
Coming 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
Carol develops a crush on a family friend, who thinks of her as his little sister.
Dirt Bike
Mike 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
Mike doodles on his aptitude test and winds up with an IQ score of 27.
A Christmas Story
A depressed department store Santa consulting Jason decides to commit suicide by leaping down the Seavers' chimney.
The Love Song of M. Aaron Seaver
Mike backs out of the family-bowling match so he can date a snobbish girlfriend.
First Blood
Jason faces off against Ben's hockey coach, who's teaching the boys to play dirty; Mike learns ballroom dancing.
Slice of Life II
Maggie 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
The PTA head rejects the Seavers as dance chaperones.
Charity Begins at Home
Ben gives Jason a very expensive birthday present, causing speculation on how he can possibly afford it.
Reputation
Mike writes test answers on his shoe soles.
The Anniversary That Never Was
Maggie's assignment interferes with anniversary plans.
Be a Man
Custodian Mike watches a wild party explode in his home.
Career Decision
Reporter Maggie and psychiatrist Jason both face important career decisions.
Extra Lap
Mike's practical-joker uncle Bob visits from the hereafter.
Top Cast
Alan Thicke
Jason Seaver
Joanna Kerns
Maggie Seaver
Kirk Cameron
Mike Seaver
Tracey Gold
Carol Seaver
Jeremy Miller
Ben Seaver
Ashley Johnson
Chrissy Seaver
Leonardo DiCaprio
Luke Brower
