May I strangle XMIL??? PLEASE!!!
Find a Conversation
| Wed, 07-28-2004 - 2:21pm |
Dylan is five and she takes him to see Catwoman. This movie is rated PG-13 and has violence and language completely inappropriate for a child his age. Plus does he really need to see Halle Berry skimping around in a tight catsuit? NOPE! I'm furious. I want to say something, but I'm trying to calm down. I would be calm by now if the previews we'ren't plastered all over TV right now. Plus D and I were eating lunch at Dairy Queen yesterday and Fox News was on and they were talking about the movie and the violent content and how several years back, this would have been rated R easily. So this put my emotions into overdrive.
I appreciate her trying to entertain my child, but she needs to realize that a PG-13 movie is no place for a five year old.....I don't care what it is.
How would you put it to her? She needs to know I'm not happy with her choice. And also that she neglected to clear it with me.
Mel

Pages
Mel, I'm sorry, and you are right, that's not a movie for 5-year-olds.
She probably didn't see it as an issue. You need to approach her calmly and tell her that you are not ready to let him see movies like that. Don't accuse her of anything, just voice your concern. Tell her that you appreciater her wanting to take him to a movie, but in the future to keep it to a G rated or PG rated one. If she is unsure about the movie she wants to bring him to, tell her to just call you first. That way you can decide. You know what is best for your child, right? You also know his temperment and what he can handle. You don't need to be dealing with nightmares because of the violence he saw in a movie. If you remain calm and tactful, she'll understand where you're coming from. It may not be a big deal for her, but remind her who this involves- it's not just about how YOU or HER feels- it's how your son can deal.
Alison
Mel
<a href="http://www.TickerFactory.com/weight-loss/wtCMCc4/">
<img border="0" src="http://tickers.Ticker
I myself have had to put my foot down with both my mother and my exmil.
I understand your frustration. She is totally out of whack to take him to that movie.
But I believe you have to assume dumb ignorance and good intentions all bottled into one incident as the others have stated. Wait until you calm down to talk to her and then set some guidelines - PG or G only for now. The good news is that he probably didn't notice much of the bad stuff and may have already seen worse on commercials.
I must admit, I did have a good laugh when I saw your topic title. I am sure everyone on here could cough up an XMIL horror story. It sure piqued my curiosity. (sorry - I hope this doesn't insult you!!)
The former parenting generations are not in tune to child rearing as we know it today. But they do have good intentions and they do add much value to a child's life. They are more patient and full of stories. So you have to see the good in what she brings to his life.
Just be gentle and set guidelines.
HUGS!!
My ex sis-in-law is very liberal about the movies she lets her kids watch. And although I am somewhat also liberal about 'some' PG-13 movies, I am pretty strict on the R rated ones.
I basically had to let her know it was an issue with me, and I asked her to PLEASE show kid movies while Christy was there. The kids could watch those other movies when she was gone.
She totally understood and even apologized and said she would be more dilligent with the afternoon programming.
Be calm in your approach. She most likely didn't really get it and you just need to help her understand the boundaries.
Good luck!
<a href="http://www.TickerFactory.com/weight-loss/wtCMCc4/">
<img border="0" src="http://tickers.Ticker
Anyway, I'm gonna talk to her. It's time she knows where the line is drawn and this is pretty much the limit here.
Mel
<a href="http://www.TickerFactory.com/weight-loss/wtCMCc4/">
<img border="0" src="http://tickers.Ticker
Mel
<a href="http://www.TickerFactory.com/weight-loss/wtCMCc4/">
<img border="0" src="http://tickers.Ticker
Pages