When it comes to movies, tv and video games and what parents let their kids watch or play I'm constantly astounded by the differences. Teddy is 11 and despite my best efforts loves his shoot-em up, kill fuzzy bunny games and obnoxious humor. In fact, when he first saw the cover for Portal 2 he immediately wrote it off because it didn't look like anything died. Of course since one of his cool friends showed it to him it's one of his favorite games - but that's another post in and of itself. Teddy loves his death and mayhem and this is with me nixing all the really cool Call of Duty, Halo, Modern Warfare and Skyrim games. To soothe those needs he does what any decent kid does and goes behind my back to friend's houses with way cooler moms and plays them there. Every couple of months or so I make him stop and say in front of witnesses, "Yes, I understand that killing human beings is wrong. There are better ways of solving problems than blowing people or zombies heads off and the saying is not 'Speak Softly and carry a large AK-47'" That way I can safely testify in court that I had reasonable assurances that he would not go postal and start shooting people from the top of the Sydney Opera House some day.
Don't judge me. You take what you can get.
When it comes to movies there are a whole slew of awesome movies I haven't let him see it.
- A Fish Called Wanda
- Blazing Saddles
- Kevin Smith movies
- Animal House
- Any of the Jason/Chuckie/Freddy Krueger genre
- Any Monty Python movies -tv shows are ok.
- Elvis Movies
Music-I let him hear some swearing. Yes, I DID put Monty Python Sings on his iPod. I have since come to regret that as Teddy has accidentally taught Connor the first verse to "Sit on My Face" But there just some very cool music out there that it's just criminal not to listen to. I have drawn the line at the South Park Movie soundtrack. I REALLY don't need him to accidentally teach Tessi the Uncle song. I will have to physically kill him.
But with my friends and their kids, some have no trouble at all with the hard core games but balk at swearing. Some completely cut out everything even slightly violent but then have Mel Brooks and Monty Python movie nights.
Back in Texas I was the shocking one. I said damn a lot and WOW I got some looks from some people. Double entendres are the bread and butter of my humor and 8 outta 10 times the second meaning is going to be obscene or insulting. I live and breathe to annoy and piss people off...I leave that to Ted...but if I'm honest, it does amuse the Hell out me most times.
But here in Australia? I've learned that many times I'm the prude of the room. Which let me tell you, is a wee bit shocking. I know for a fact my name is on at least 3 different prayer lists praying that God doesn't just smite my ass for the things I say. That's for just what I say...I actually do censor myself sometimes. Back home I know people that have their kids only watch Veggie Tales (no, I'm not knocking the show, I just think more than one show is a good thing, Backyardigans rocked!) but here? I'm overprotective because I voiced an objection because Teddy was shown a British tv show called Bottom and yes, it was everything you'd ever think a British tv show called Bottom would be.
Teddy has seen more movies and shows that I never would have even thought to let a kid watch and it's by people who are way more moral than I am. It's odd to see. I remember showing 2 of my girlfriends the movie Dogma. I warned them ahead of time that it was very controversial in the States and some scenes were really shocking. At the end of the movie both turned to me and asked what was shocking? Really? What was controversial about DOGMA? Gee, I don't know. But nope, didn't notice anything. Same friend let her young daughter watch the first season of True Blood, just covering her eyes during the more risque themes. She said no to the second season because that got a little intense. I heavily screen Teddy's viewing of The Big Bang Theory because while it does have the best writing on tv ever, there are still some phrases I don't want him learning while sitting next to me on the couch. He needs to go out and learn it from his buddies like a decent person.
I just typed the sentence Connor and Tessi are easier to manage but then I had to delete it. I banned the Disney Channel for everything except Phineas and Ferb because they were getting interested in all the pre-teen and teen shows. Banned because of constant message of sdults are idiots, best way to get what you want is go around their backs, lie to get your way and yes, you deserve all the latest and greatest. Whatever. They come with those traits built in, I've spent their childhood trying to wring it out of their necks, I sure as hell don't have to let them watch and get instructions on how to keep doing it. Nickelodeon is on my radar too. That damn iCarly....
So is it a cultural thing or am I prudish control freak? I'm really not a prude.....the rest....no comment.
