By: Kyle Lasalita
Nowadays, it’s difficult to spend quality time with your kids because of all the attention-grabbing technology we have. However, as parents, it’s essential for us to set aside a special time with our children and bond with them. One of the best (and less tiring) ways you can spend time with your kids is to watch a movie with them.
Now, I know what you’re thinking, especially if you’re a Dad with a daughter. You might be dreading the hour and a half spent watching unicorns, rainbows, and an excessive amount of the color pink. But, what if I tell you that there’s a way for you to find a compromise so that you can watch something tolerable, without your child feeling less interested? Here is a parent’s guide in choosing the right movies to watch with your kids.
Read Reviews
What your kids want to watch and what is appropriate for them can be different things. For instance, your son might want to watch a superhero movie with you, but do you know what the movie rating is for that film? Even if the rating says Parental Guidance and you watch with your child, would you really want to expose him to the movie?
There are a number of sites that offer movie reviews and ratings for kid shows and movies. If you can’t find any movie review with ratings, try asking around. You’d be surprised to know that other parents have this kind of problem as well. Asking other parents may also help you find the right movie.
Watch The Movie
This is a strategy that’s time-consuming but can be very rewarding when done right. You can pre-watch the show or movie and give your judgment. In some cases, you don’t even need to finish the film. Once you see that there’s something you don’t want your child to see, you can take it off your list immediately. Here are some of the things that you need to be on the lookout when pre-watching a movie:
- Extreme violence
- Disturbing scenes
- Scenes that may bring up any existing trauma
- Lewd comments and sexual references
- Substance use or any references to it
This is just a checklist and a general rule. Some movies may be appropriate for your child to watch, but there may be scenes that may require your input. You can treat these scenes as teachable moments. Provide your child with the context of why the scene is in the movie and answer any questions they may have after.
Watch The Preview
Of course, newly released movies can’t be pre-watched. If your child wants to go to the newest flick, there’s no way for you to find out how the movie is going to play out. In cases like these, your best option is to watch the movie preview of the film. While the preview won’t show you all the scenes, it can give you an idea on what the theme of the movie is and if it’s something that your child is prepared to watch.
Trust Your Instincts
This is one of the most important tips I can give you as a parent. Trust your instincts when choosing a movie. If it’s a spontaneous activity that your family decided on a particular night, don’t go crazy paranoid about it. Trust yourself to make the right choice. When you know what your child’s personality is, you’ll have an easier time choosing the right movie.
Take advantage of your child’s formative years. Expose him to movies that provide value to its audience. Look out for teachable moments and seize them. Finally, make sure to be present and enjoy the film because these are the moments you can’t take back.
My name is Kyle and I’m a father, a writer, and a struggling entrepreneur. I believe that dads are just as awesome as mothers, only cooler. When you don’t see me changing my son’s diapers, you can see me on my blog – Daddy Set Go.
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