First, sitting down to watch a family movie can be stressful. One of your children wants to watch a children’s movie. Then, your spouse wants to watch something adventurous. Now, as family therapist in Niantic, Connecticut, I hope that this article can help!
As a family therapist in Niantic, Connecticut, I recommend focusing on children’s movies than adult movies
Notably, children have less life experience. Now, this means that when they see an adult movie, it can be traumatizing. The rush, the thrill, and more are overwhelming for children. And, adult movies are meant to boost adrenaline levels for an adult. So, after a rough day at work, you get an emotional release. Also, adult movies are action-packed, extreme, and adventurous. For a child, this is sensory overload. To add, there’s too much going on to follow. As a family therapist in Niantic, Connecticut, I recommend picking fun movies, rather than intense ones.
How are adult movies different than children’s movies? Notes from a family therapist in Niantic, Connecticut
In adult movies, the themes are too intense around death. And, often adult movies are too graphic with too much rush. For children, some scenes in adult movies can be shocking. For children, their frontal lobe is not fully developed. Therefore, children are easily scared by giant teeth, large animals, and monsters. For instance, you may light at a halloween masks and find funny! But, if your eight year old sees that same mask, their reaction will be absolute fear and aversion. Overall, as family therapist in Niantic, Connecticut, family movie night isn’t about you. It is a time to watch a children’s movie like Shrek, Beethoven, or even Home Alone.
What does a eight year old child need per recommendations from a holistic family therapist in Niantic, Connecticut?
A child, such an an 8-year-old, doesn’t have perspective on these creatures. Rather, adults do and you can tell what is real verses fake. So, watching these movies with your child unfortunately has negative impacts.
As a family therapist in Niantic, Connecticut, what does watching intense, adult movies do to your child’s brain?
Now, watching rated R movies can lead to mental health issues in a child, such as nightmares. And, nightmares are not something that will go away on their own. Especially, if your anxious child watches adult movies regularly. Also, it is important to know that each child reacts differently. Sometimes, children will have trouble sleeping. Or, other times, a child will withdraw, feel sad, or quiet. Afterwards, your child may not directly express their confusion as a result of being exposed to adult shows. You child may not even know what happened in the movie. However, they still felt the intense fear, loss, and emotions. Overall, you might see a jump in worry, fear, sadness, anxiety, and strange curiosities.
Quick Tips For Family Movie Night:
Now, when you have a family movie night, look for G or PG ratings! For TV shows, if there are more than two children in the child-oriented show with a family, then usually it is okay for children to watch.
When Looking For Books For Your 8 Year Old
Also, look for the Scholastic brand and on the back there will be a recommendation. It will say, “Great for Ages 5-8, 3rd Grade Reading Level.” Also, read aloud together before bed. Notably, save adult movies for when you go out to the theater for your weekly couple’s date!
To Name a Few, Skip Out On These For Kids
Shawshank Redemption, Pulp Fiction, The Big Bang Theory, The Fox and the Hound, Jaws, Jurassic Park, The Grudge, Saw, Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle, Bridge to Terabithia, Forest Gump, The Hangover, The Human Centipede, Law and Order, Harry Potter, Forgetting Sarah Marshall, Showgirls, A Clockwork Orange, Goodfellas, Shoot ‘Em Up, The Barber, Borat, Water Ship Down, Black Swan, Purge, Halloween movies (Nightmare On Elm Street)
-and Scary Halloween masks, explicit rap music, and such.
Top 5 Tips For A Successful Family Movie Night:
- Now, don’t be afraid to say no to a movie your kid isn’t ready for. They will be curious and may ask because an older friend at school has seen it.
- Also, if your child wakes up late at night, don’t let them cuddle with you while you keep watching an adult movie. Instead, turn of your movie, get in their bed with them and cuddle or read a relaxing picture book to help them fall asleep.
- Watch with your child during all movies, and be ready to hit the “pause” button mid-scene and offer a comforting hug to process why a scene was sad or scary.
- For children 8 years old and under, scenes that deal with loss, death, and separation are still unsettling, so be prepared to talk together about the difficult scenes to help them deal with their emotions.
- Avoid movies involving death, guns, drugs, nudity, sex, and violence for children. Is the movie about a family’s life with children, or is the movie marketed to adults?
Now, here are some great movies for when children are present during a movie, such as family movie night! Movie recommendations from a family therapist in Niantic, Connecticut
Madagascar, Ice Age, The Sound of Music, Tangled, Charlie Brown, Clifford the Big Red Dog, Paddington Bear, The Aristocats, Frozen, Mary Poppins, The Incredibles, The Lego Movie, Toy Story, Finding Nemo
Other fabulous family movies
Emperor’s New Groove, Cars, The Wizard of Oz, Bugs Bunny cartoons, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Full House, Fuller House, Cloudy With A Chance of Meatballs, My Little Pony Friendship, Lilo and Stitch, My Neighbor Totoro, G-Force, The Muppet movies, Air Bud, The Flintstones, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Cats and Dogs, Looney Tunes, Curious George, American Girl movies, Matilda, Ratatouille, The King and I, Annie, How To Train Your Dragon, Honey, I Shrunk The Kids, Land Before Time, The Wizard of Oz, Spongebob, Moana, Home Alone, Dolphin Tale, Coco, Winnie The Pooh, Minions, Big Hero 6, Despicable Me, Veggietales, The Parent Trap
Overall, I hope you enjoyed this quick read and now have the tools to plan a fun, age-appropriate family movie night! Read more about my family therapy practice, here.
Written By Katie Ziskind, LMFT, RYT500, holistic marriage and family therapist in Niantic, Connecticut
Written By: Katie Ziskind, a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, who provides experiential therapy in Niantic, CT. At Wisdom Within Counseling, Katie helps children and teens build confidence and positive coping skills by integrating art, yoga, music, and animal therapy with traditional talk therapy- so they can live a life they LOVE! Furthermore, the animal therapy groups teach skills such as self-regulation, trust, and social emotional learning. Call/text: (860) 451-9364 or email KatieZiskindMft@gmail.com. Find tons of free resources at WisdomWithinCt.com
