Family Values Night: A New Year's Resolution?
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Family Movie Night Is a Chance to Instill Your Values in a Fun Way
Movies are a great idea, as long as you pick ones that can interest everyone. There are more and more movies that can interest everyone from 12 to 112, fortunately, and maybe even the little ones. I have included a few here, will add more and encourage you to also add choices. I am always open to new ideas.
Have fun, but you can also have this time do double duty. Don't just watch the movies, talk about them. Now be careful, don't make it sound like school, and don't preach, LISTEN!
I will start with some suggestions for family night. I will also give you some ground rules about how to talk about values, ways that will help your children get engaged and not turn them off!
So, read, interact with the lens, give me ideas and enjoy both the lens and your family values nights.
Don't Call It Family Values Night!
Family Movie Night Will Do
Family Fun Night Is Good
Heathers
Heathers - 20th High School Reunion Edition
Amazon Price: $5.50 (as of 06/03/2012)
Heathers is one of those ultimate high school stories about the outsider who really wants to fit in. It is about the 'power crowd', the school rejects and especially those who think they might want to be in the 'in crowd' but mostly are just afraid that if they aren't they will end up a the bottom.
Veronica is new to school and pretty enough to be considered for membership with the powerful 'mean girls'. However, JD, the bad boy, James Dean type latches onto her and presents a different kind of meanness as an alternative. This is a mean that he masquerades as justice! Veronica gets involved in some very bad things, and has a lot of decisions to make, decisions that could be discussion points for your family and its values.
This is a hard hitting movie and may be too much for your family, but there is little in this movie that your child won't face at some time or another.
SOME SUGGESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION TOPICS
Samples of Heathers
What About Heathers?
The Adults Should Watch the Movie First.
Don't be surprised by anything in the movie, Watch it first and then watch your children as they watch it.
"IT": A Great Family Values Film for All Ages!
So What Does Stephan King Have to Do With Values?
Stephen King's It
Amazon Price: $3.26 (as of 06/03/2012)
The answer is, a lot!
This movie, is longer than usual, and like most of Stephan King, it is scary, but it also solves the problem! It gives some answers and you can help your child, and your selves, see that!
The town of Derry, Maine is peaceful on the surface, but every couple of generations it is plagued by a clown monster who devours children. The movie centers around a group of kids, a losers club, 6 boys and a girl, who are bothered by a gang of bullies, losers themselves. They have to survive all of this and the monster. The losers club grows up to be successful adults, as many childhood losers can, but is then drawn back to Derry to save a new generation of kids.
This might be a little too scary for kids who have nightmares, but remember, you will be there to help them talk it through. The main message here is that bullies (natural and supernatural) become powerful when the adults stop noticing what is going on. It celebrates the idea that kids can defend themselves,, but also is clear that parents need to be involved.
A great agenda for this movie would be dual 1. We are here for you if there is anything like this going on in your town or school AND 2. you also have your own strengths and we parents can help you learn how to use them.
Clips from "IT"
Would Your Kids Be Allowed to See "IT"?
Have an Agenda, But Be Flexible
Think about what you want to cover ahead of time, but don't let that list make you miss opportunities that your children might bring up.
Juno: Babies Having Babies
![Juno (Special Edition + Digital Copy) [Blu-ray]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/61d%2BfNZudML._SL160_.jpg)
Juno (Special Edition + Digital Copy) [Blu-ray]
Amazon Price: $7.95 (as of 06/03/2012)
Juno is another of those movies that is more than it appears to be on the surface. Yes, its about teen sex, and HOW ITS BEST TO NOT HAVE IT, and teen pregnancy. Its usable to talk about abortion whether you believe in abortion as an option or not.
Juno has impulsive unprotected sex with her friend. She gets pregnant. She flippantly thinks about an abortion, but decides to give birth and put the baby up for adoption.
All of the characters start out as caricatures, but end up being real people People you can talk about. You might want to use this to help your kids know what it might be like or you. Be sure that you talk about the characters, not get too personal in presentation. If you talk about what these parents are struggling with, you can give them the message without the old "oh, yes, here go Mom and Dad again".
Juno Clips
Juno And Your Teens
Don't Make the Questions Peronsal
Ask: "Gee, Does Anything Like That Happen in Your School?"
Give them a chance to talk about the subject without talking about themselves.
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What Do You Think of This?
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ChrisDay
May 18, 2011 @ 11:33 pm | delete
- This is a really good suggestion. While every day and every evening should be an opportunity to cultivate 'values', there's benefit in focusing on it at times.
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AndyPo
Jan 21, 2011 @ 4:42 pm | delete
- Great lens. My son is just one year old, but we seem to like similar movies.
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Tipi
Dec 18, 2010 @ 9:12 pm | delete
- My kids are all grown up. Its a good idea to discus shows with kids though.
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Jimmie
Dec 18, 2010 @ 8:56 pm | delete
- Oh, YIKES! My child is only 11. These movies are far too adult for her. Maybe in five more years.
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SofiaMann
Dec 18, 2010 @ 6:40 pm | delete
- You're right. Christmas is also a good opportunity to educate our children. Thanks for the entertaining alternatives.
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If You Notice Your Kids Rolling Their Eyes, or Giggling, Don't Take It Personally
Don't get annoyed. Use this as valuable information. They are telling you that you are getting too close. Just back off a little, or change the subject. Or listen to where they want to go.
But don't let them stop you altogether. Its a dance. You lead, but be aware of their cues.
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About Margo Arrowsmith
Table of Contents
- Don't Call It Family Values Night!
- Heathers
- Samples of Heathers
- What About Heathers?
- The Adults Should Watch the Movie First.
- "IT": A Great Family Values Film for All Ages!
- Clips from "IT"
- Would Your Kids Be Allowed to See "IT"?
- Have an Agenda, But Be Flexible
- Juno: Babies Having Babies
- Juno Clips
- Juno And Your Teens
- Don't Make the Questions Peronsal
- Twitter Follow, Margo Arrowsmith
- What Do You Think of This?
- Do You Have a Movie I Should Add? If So List It Here and Make Your Argument
- If You Notice Your Kids Rolling Their Eyes, or Giggling, Don't Take It Personally
- Changing the Guard Blog
- Get Your Free Report: "What You Must Know to Hire a Home Health Team"
- Its Your Health Central
- About Margo Arrowsmith
by Margo_Arrowsmith
Margo Arrowsmith received the "Lens of the Day" Twice
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