So often I say something that needs clarifying and yet I neglect to clarify the comment. Today, I did it again. I was talking to a group of friends and I mentioned that the redeeming element of a movie was that the main character, instead of falling in love with a boy, learned that love was how she felt for her friends. That was what I said, what I meant to say was that she learned that while she was looking to fall in love with a boy, she found friendship and the love of good friends.
I don't mean to say that I think falling in love is unimportant or to downplay meeting someone to spend the rest of your life with, I just don't think my little girls need to always watch movies that dwell on idea that they will meet their soul mate at fifteen. I want my girls to grow up with the knowledge that love is broader than romance. I'm hoping that they learn that love comes in many forms. And I want them to understand that love is not so much a feeling as an action.
All of that is so much more than any tween movie could or ever will teach them. So while I don't expect life's lessons to be learned from the screen, I am glad that there is the occasional movie that still shows kids being kids. And I'm very glad that Sadie still closes her eyes during the kissing parts. Because more than anything, I want my little girls to be little for as long as they should. Hopefully the only high-heels will be mine, the only kisses from little boys will be from Jack, and the love will come in the friend and family form. They'll be kids for eighteen years or less, and grown-up responsibility comes soon enough.
Friday, April 3, 2009
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4 comments:
I love this post. Perfectly said. I am uncomfortable with movies for kids that say romantic love is the end-all-be-all of happiness. Yes, romantic love is magical, but it doesn't make everything perfect either. And there are lots of other joys to have--like really good friends.
Well said, Somer! Can't they stay young and innocent forever?! I'm glad we're friends! ps.... I knew what you meant!
Luckily Zekie has already found his eternal companion and announced to the neighbor that he is going to marry her. She laughed and said she was going to marry Caleb. Zekie didn't seem too deterred. I guess he needs a challenge...just like his dad. Anyways, I would LOVE to know about Evan's friend for being Isaac's allergist. Our current one is in Provo and we would like one closer. Could you give me his name and number?
Oh I hope your girls take their time too! All you can do is teach them the right choices but, they may not always make them! The best thing is....you will still love them even if they don't! It's a tough life when they are forced to grow up too fast! One of my daughters found that out! She now tells me how much she appreciates me and wishes she would have listened! I adore her and she's turned out to be a great mama but, I wish she would have had more time to be a kid!
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