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(S01E06) Once again, the three families on this show needn't interact at all for the series to work. Maybe if someone were tuning in for the first time, completely unaware that the three families were all related, they'd be confused as to why we're following these three separate storylines. Even then, though, I suspect they'd still laugh at Lily's costumes and Manny's Colombian pan flute.

As a parent, I'm not to the teenage years yet, so can't relate as well with the experiences of Phil and Claire, but I do remember the fear and panic you have with your first child. Every little bump is a crisis, as we saw. And, I'm ashamed to admit that I committed the same "horrible" crime they perpetrated on Lily later in the episode, as well.

As for Jay and Gloria ... oh, my son is in the fifth grade. Sometimes I feel like they're living my exact life. Maybe all fifth graders are equally off-the-wall, or maybe my child is as special and unique as Manny.

We want our children to be happy and express themselves, but we also want them to be accepted by their peers and -- dare I say it -- popular. I don't even think the kids are establishing their clicks completely by the fifth grade. Certainly my son is completely unconcerned, bouncing off the walls and saying whatever comes into his mind.

Manny has that same carefree attitude and freedom from concern over what anyone else thinks of him. I love that he has such pride in his heritage, and that Gloria supports him. But how hilarious was it when Gloria had Jay "drop" the flute. "And then you stepped on it!" I loved that line, and Jay's reaction. Support can only go so far. When we finally saw Manny performing his Colombian flute dance, I understood completely. At least give the kid a fighting chance.

Cam and Mitchell's experience wasn't so much funny as it was "Oh my god, I did all of that!" Yes, I even locked my baby in the car once -- and believe me, you only do that once. I didn't have a fancy On-Star type of system to open it up. "Sir, please tell your wife to calm down."

"That's a man."

As for Phil, Claire really threw him a bone this time. The guy's a complete bonehead. Lovable and caring, but a bonehead nonetheless. She shouldn't have felt sorry for him, and should have smoked his ass. He'd have bounced back. Now he'll just lord this over her forever.

That is, if he didn't suffer any long-term memory problems from getting nailed by his daughter in the driving instructor's car. What a great tumble over the car, by Burrell's stunt-man, unless Burrell was crazy enough to do it himself.

Even though Claire and Phil's eldest daughter Sarah was barely used this week, it was hilarious every time they cut to her in the car with anyone. Whether it was dodging kids in the car, or that brilliant ending where she refused to stop for the cops, and Phil encouraged this, I laughed every time I saw her behind the wheel.

And then I was terrified, thinking that soon enough, I'll be going through the same thing.

Ah kids. We love them, don't we? Ungrateful little -- ahem, I mean love. Yes, love.

[Watch clips and episodes of Modern Family at SlashControl.]