Movies

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I have found that it really stresses me out to have to choose a video for my kids to watch (okay, mainly Micah - Jaden's not too interested, thankfully).  I carefully examine each cartoon or movie, looking at the reason it's rated PG, wondering if there's any hint of language, violence or scary themes.  I have really noticed how sensitive my boy is to movies.  He had never talked about being scared before, or being afraid of the dark - until he watched a VeggieTales cartoon where they sang the song "God is Bigger than the Boogey-man".  I thought "how cute!" until a few nights later when Micah started saying "Mommy, there's monsters! Leave the light on!"  I couldn't believe it.  I was so brokenhearted that my boy was experiencing fear for the first time (that I knew of, at least).  I could only tie it to that movie.  

I've also seen him jump and his eyes widen when he has watched certain scenes in "Finding Nemo" and other supposedly "safe" movies that have scary parts in them.  When I re-watch these cartoons through the innocent eyes of a 3 year old, I realize how scary things can be.   Tonight "Peter Pan" was on, and I watched him soak in the scenes of Captain Hook smoking 2 cigars at once, shooting (and killing) a pirate, and saying "you idiot!"   Earlier today he saw a scene from "Ice Age 2" where there is a gay animal couple (I didn't even see it coming).  I know I can't protect him forever, but for heaven's sake, he's only 3!  So, when is the right time to expose him to things like this?   You would think a cartoon would be safe!  

I do know that I definitely see in other kids (also) the effects of cartoons and movies.  I have seen young girls (3-5 years old) cop attitudes and look at themselves more in the mirror after watching The Disney Channel (usually teen shows).   I've seen young boys act just a little more violently after watching certain cartoons.  It is scary.  We have a big responsibility as parents to protect our children from growing up too fast.  So for now, we'll continue to skip getting cable, and limit the boy's viewing to things we've already seen (targeted for their ages).    I guess I just want to cherish the purity of the boy's minds, at least while I can.