1. Appreciating and understanding family: The movie emphasizes the importance of understanding and supporting one another within a large family. It shows that even with inevitable challenges and conflicts, the love and unity of a close-knit family can overcome any obstacles.
2. Effective Parenting: The movie portrays a parenting style in which both authority and compassion coexist. It showcases the importance of setting boundaries, communicating effectively, and prioritizing empathy and love in parenting.
3. Resilience and Adaptability: The Bakers endure various challenges throughout the movie, including moving to a new city, the father's job loss, and the children's individual struggles. The movie illustrates the power of resilience, creativity, and the ability to adapt in face of adversity.
4. Accepting Differences within the Family: Each child in the Baker family has their own unique strengths, weaknesses, and passions. The movie embraces the concept of accepting and valuing each family member's individuality while striving for unity.
5. Prioritizing Family Time: The movie portrays a family that puts great importance on spending quality time together. It emphasizes the role of family traditions, fun outings, and family meals in fostering a strong family bond.
6. Setting Boundaries with Love: The movie illustrates that effective parenting involves setting clear rules and expectations, but also demonstrates how these rules should be enforced with love, understanding, and empathy.
7. Work-Life Balance: The movie's portrayal of the Baker parents juggling their professional careers with the demands of a large family highlights the delicate balance between work and family responsibilities. It encourages prioritising family when possible while also striving to achieve one's professional goals.
8. The Power of Togetherness: Cheaper by the Dozen beautifully illustrates how challenges faced as a family can bring its members closer together. The Bakers' unity during times of difficulty emphasizes the importance of togetherness and overcoming challenges as a team.
9. Forgiving and Moving On: The movie demonstrates the importance of forgiveness and reconciliation. It shows how holding on to grudges and conflicts can hinder family harmony.
10. Embracing Chaos: The movie humorously presents the chaotic aspects of a large family. It encourages viewers to embrace the unique challenges and moments of joy that come with being part of a large, vibrant family.