These days, kids are tuning into “Bluey,” where the biggest issue is a cartoon dog losing a game of Keepy-Uppy.
Recall the kid who gets stabbed by a bee while searching for his best friend’s mood ring? I remember seeing her cry over that.
It’s not surprising that as 90s kids, we might be the most irresponsible generation when it comes to screen time as parents.
I found that PG movies can be emotionally risky
Our parents didn’t Google “Bridge to Terabithia” to see if it was suitable; they just pressed play and left the room.
In “Charlotte’s Web“, we formed a bond with the talking spider only to see her die in the barn.
They thought “Land Before Time” was educational because of the dinosaurs, but it mostly served up emotional heartbreak wrapped in a prehistoric package.
When it comes to “Bambi“, there’s a dead mother; “The Lion King” has a dead father; “Narnia” dives into themes of war and sacrifice. And all of these are PG or G rated!
I remember in seventh grade when they asked us to write a reflection after showing “Titanic” in class. I was sobbing and confused, especially during the iceberg scene.
Honestly, I can relate to Mrs. Burns.
These experiences shaped us—they demonstrate just how powerful storytelling can be.
I grew up without any limits on screen time, which I think caused a lot of emotional wear and tear. Now, we restrict screen time much like we would treats or hazardous materials.
Our childhood films affected us and shaped our parenting
Clearly, we set limits because we’re aware of the potential impact that screens can have on kids today.
We had much less access to screens back then. The living room TV was pretty much it, and we didn’t have the option to choose from an endless menu!
Today’s movies, like “Moana“, “Bluey“, and “Encanto“, seem to be crafted with more emotional intelligence—they’re calmer, smarter, and kinder.
And we’re more involved. They reflect the conversations we have with our kids.
I encourage pauses during a movie to ask questions and help them articulate their feelings.
I remember going to see “Bridge to Terabithia” with my dad, completely unaware of how much it would impact me.
He didn’t have the internet to check ratings or parenting forums to guide his choices.
He didn’t realize that it would leave me in tears and that I’d never view a swing the same again.
He just wanted to enjoy a film with his kids and trusted the PG rating. How could he have known?
I love my dad, but he wasn’t the type to sit down and discuss the emotional weight of a cartoon lion’s death.
He was more like Chandler from “Friends,” who once remarked that it was so sad a man stopped drawing deer.
Honestly, that captures the vibe of those times.
One day, I hope to guide my son through these films. Rather than unearthing my emotional baggage, I see them as tools to help him navigate big feelings safely.
It’s important to have someone there to help him process these stories instead of dismissing them as mere cartoons.
If he needs to pause for a moment, to talk and cry, that’s okay. We discuss themes like death, courage, and friendship, as well as the importance of a warning label for “Charlotte’s Web“.
