This Is Us: Ranking The Characters Based On Parenting Skills

When This Is Us burst onto the scene in 2016, it became an overnight hit. The series shocked audiences with its dual timelines, dramatic twists and turns, and heartwarming characters. At the center of the show was the Pearson family who exuded great parenting skills week after week. Now in its sixth and final season, This Is Us has truly become a family show with every main character now having several kids to parent in the ways they see fit.

The show explores parenting through all the highs and lows it has to offer and through several diverse viewpoints. From Jack and Rebecca’s parenting in the 80s to her becoming a single mother in the 90s. Or through Kate and Toby’s challenges with parenting a blind son, to Beth and Randall’s difficulties with raising their adopted daughter. Even Kevin has gotten in on the parenting action as he struggles to find a co-parenting balance with Madison. With so many characters now parents, it’s interesting to see how their unique parenting skills stack up.

9 Toby

While Toby might have started out as a fan-favorite character, the struggles of life have weighed hard upon him, causing him to become tenser. Unfortunately, this change affected his parenting skills. Already apprehensive when Kate got pregnant, Toby struggled to connect with his son Jack after getting the diagnosis that their son was blind.

While he did end up adjusting his expectations for what parenting would look like, something has never quite clicked for Toby even when they had their second child. And while Toby was a tremendous stay-at-home dad, he’s now buried himself in work and projects his own insecurities onto his toddler kids.

8 William

While William did opt out of parenting Randall and instead left him at a fire station after his wife died soon after childbirth, the decision was not an easy one to make and marked one of William’s best parenting decisions ever. Choosing to give up a child because you’re an unfit parent is no easy feat, and yet William did just that because he wanted to give his son a better life.

Thankfully, the two reconnected decades later and William was able to be the father he so desperately wanted to be all those years ago. In their short time together, William helped Randall understand who he was and encouraged him to chase his dreams, which is exactly what a parent should do.

7 Madison

Madison didn’t intend to get pregnant with her best friend’s brother, but when it happened she immediately stepped up to the plate. Her mothering instincts kicked in immediately, making her tell Kevin that she was going to have this baby with or without him.

While Madison’s enthusiasm for her kids is unmatched, she does have a bit harder time parenting since she is the only one who is doing it without a husband. Sharing custody of kids isn’t easy, but for the most part, Madison makes it work. The only area fans criticize her for is keeping the twins away from an epic Thanksgiving celebration with the Pearsons.

6 Kevin

Kevin has always dreamed of family life, which is why he’s such a great uncle to Randall’s kids. So it came as no surprise that he jumped headfirst into things with Madison when he learned he was going to be a father.

If there’s one thing that’s true about Kevin’s parenting style, it’s that he’s committed. He walked out on his biggest role yet to be there for their births and took a mediocre acting gig to stay near them. While co-parenting isn’t what Kevin hoped for, he tries to make up for his time apart by showering his children with love. That’s one of the reasons why fans are so sympathetic with Kevin even when he makes dumb mistakes.

5 Kate

Kate may have had complicated relationships with her own parents growing up, but that didn’t stop her from immediately jumping into the unpredictable world of motherhood. After a struggle to conceive, Kate was thrilled to finally hold her son in her arms.

She has taken every obstacle thrown her way in stride to become the best mom ever. She’s constantly finding new and exciting ways to parent Jack while researching his blindness. She even encouraged an open adoption with Haley’s mom so that she wouldn’t miss out on the big milestone. Her parenting style is selfless and screams unconditional love, which is why Kate has some of the most heartwarming quotes in This Is Us.

4 Rebecca

When it comes to parenting, no one had it tougher than Rebecca. From losing one of her triplets and being immediately forcibly encouraged to adopt another infant to becoming a single mother to three teenagers, Rebecca never let the challenges way her down.

While she made her fair share of bad decisions, like keeping William a secret from Randall, she tended to act from a good place. Rebecca’s parenting has only improved as her kids have gotten older. And now that she’s terminally ill, she’s realized just how important it is to instill confidence and love into children no matter what age they are.

3 Jack

When it comes to the characters in This Is Us, no one is as idolized as Jack Pearson. Had it not been for his need to nurture and help others, Randall would have never found his way into the Pearson family.

Unlike some fathers, Jack did more than just put a roof over his kid’s heads. He supported them through all of their endeavors from sports, to academics, to simply just being there. Though Jack wasn’t the perfect parent, he tried his hardest and managed to break the abusive cycle he was brought up around, which is quite the feat.

2 Randall

The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree, which is why it’s no surprise that Randall took the best parts of both his parents parenting skills to become one of the best parents on television.

Randall is a nurturer at heart, which is why he didn’t shy away from taking Deja in. He’s supportive to no end which is why he’s constantly pushing Tess and Annie to chase their dreams. And he’s extremely protective and cheesy, which is the perfect recipe for a father.

1 Beth

Beth may not be a Pearson by blood, but she definitely shares some of the Pearson’s great parenting genes. Beth set out to be a different kind of mother than the one she was raised by, which has led her to balance being the nice mom with being the strict mom effortlessly.

While Beth might not always get it right, namely with Tess’s sexuality, she tries her hardest to be there for all three of her girls. She has their backs even when they make mistakes and helps them navigate their father’s extreme protectiveness. Above all else, Beth is the greatest when it comes to mom pick-me-up talks because she truly gets what it’s like to be a young girl in a changing world.

About The Author

Danielle Bruncati
(300 Articles Published)

Danielle Bruncati was born and raised in Southern California and has been a story-teller for as long as she can remember. She is currently a freelance writer for ScreenRant and is also pursuing a Master’s Degree in Television Writing and Producing from a top 10 film school. When she’s not writing, Danielle can be found binging the latest sitcom or teen tv series with her dog by her side or walking around Disneyland with a Mickey-shaped snack in hand.

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