Mom's Talk: Take Me to the Movies

Summer movie blockbuster time is almost here, so this week we discuss everything cinema related. With all of the kids' movies coming out has there never been a more wonderful time to watch movies with your children? Do you go to the movies often or do you rent? How do you deal with unruly kids in the theater? If there is a movie that you are unsure is suitable, do you prescreen? How do you deal with talking about topics your kids may not understand once the movie is viewed?

"We are pretty conservative on movies. There have been several that grandparents have asked to take our kids to see, and after checking them out at an online site like Plugged In or Kids-In-Mind, we said no. It's a hard thing to do! 

We don't go to the movies often, but a few months ago, I took my 4-year-old daughter on a date to see Tangled. We both got dressed up and were excited about sharing a bucket of popcorn for dinner. It was a lot of fun!

We don't rent very often either, because the kids have a ton of movies they've received as gifts or hand-me-downs from cousins. I find it pretty challenging to navigate. There are so many movies that my kids don't get to watch because of language, crude humor or too many disrespectful lines. However, I find it much easier to say to my kids, for instance, 'we don't use that word at our house' after they repeat something from a movie than to try to undo a snotty attitude they pick up from a movie. But, we talk about things a lot. Often, a character's bad behavior is a great time to talk about our choices, etc. We have not had unruly behavior at the movie theater. Our kids stare at the screen like well-trained couch potatoes and sit in a daze the whole time!" — Jenny Wescoat

"We are a movie loving family! We go to the theater—the 'cheap theater'—rent from Redbox, Blockbuster, whatever.  That said ... I am still pretty picky about what my kids watch. I don't usually 'prescreen,' but I will look up the reasons for a given rating if it's a PG or PG-13 and I'm not sure I want my kids to watch it. We're pretty open here in our house as well, so we'll definitely discuss things of a questionable nature if that situation arises. Luckily, I haven't had much experience with unruly kids in the theater either. That may be partly due to when we choose to see movies. Now our big decision is what to see next!" — Jennifer AuBuchon

"I rely on the movie ratings guide, what other people have to say after they have seen a movie and previews seen at the movie theater. The G and PG rated movies have been pretty good. I have enjoyed them probably as much as the girls. 

I did take my four year granddaughter to see 'Mars Needs Moms,' and she was a little concerned about her mom being taken on a spaceship and needed to be reassured that her mom was as home! 

I have not had the misfortune of having to deal with unruly children in a theater. I think some times the 'unruly' pre-teens and teens cause are the source of distractions and  the ushers take take care of that situation. We don't rent, because of the availability of movies with our DirecTV package, and there are parental controls available if needed. I find more monitoring is needed for television shows and TV movies than the theater movies. When questions do come up, whether about movies or anything, an honest answer is the best answer, given on the level of the child asking!" — Sharon Luna

"My kids prefer that we use the pay per view option on our Uverse. This way we rent what they pick and they watch it twice. I check reviews online if I am unsure of that the movie is about. We rely on the ratings of the movie and if we do pick up a movie from the library the kids always check the rating.  They will not even walk into the living room if there is a PG-13 movie going on.

We rarely go to the theater for a movie, but the times we have gone I have not had to deal with unruly kids. I always talk to the kids before we enter the theater and remind them of talking in a low voice.

When it comes to answering questions on difficult topics I try and answer the truth to the point where they will not get too upset based on their young ages." — Samantha Goswami