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This Year, I Won’t Be Exposing My Kids to Sad Movies
As a parent, it can feel overwhelming to navigate the world we live in. With recent news about violence and chaos, even the most reassuring speeches from leaders can leave us feeling more anxious than comforted. In a time when our children might see horror stories on the news, it’s all too easy to forget that they deserve a break from harsh realities.
Instead of heading to the mall or the movies, where the thought of potential danger lingers, I decided to take my daughter to a film that promised a delightful escape. I thought The Good Dinosaur, a Pixar classic, would be a fun choice. It’s rated PG, just like Frozen, which my daughter adores. However, I quickly learned that my hopes for a lighthearted adventure were misplaced.
The movie, while visually stunning, contained shockingly intense scenes: the death of a beloved parent, violent natural disasters, and even moments that flirted with drug-induced hallucinations. It was disheartening to see my daughter, usually so tough, dissolve into tears halfway through the film. “Daddy, he lost his daddy,” she sobbed, and my heart ached for her innocence being rattled by a story that was anything but gentle.
It made me question the choices filmmakers are making when it comes to children’s content. Why must they introduce themes of trauma and loss? Children should not be subjected to intense portrayals of grief without a clear warning or a chance for discussion afterward.
While my daughter is usually quite resilient, she has her limits. She’s managed to handle intense moments in other films but this one was different — it felt emotionally manipulative. If the goal is to prepare kids for the harsh realities of life, there are better ways to do it. Kids will inevitably encounter difficulties as they grow, but movies should offer them a safe haven, not a source of fear.
Moving forward, I’ll be more selective about our movie choices. Websites like Common Sense Media and Parent Previews will be my go-to for checking what’s appropriate. I plan to opt for films that are lighter and free from overwhelming themes—think something like The Peanuts Movie or Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Road Chip.
In a world where school safety drills have become commonplace, shielding our kids from unnecessary pain is a resolution worth pursuing. After all, they deserve a chance to enjoy the magic of cinema without the weight of the world on their shoulders.
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In summary, let’s prioritize our children’s emotional well-being and ensure that their movie experiences remain joyful and free from the harsh realities of life.