By: Sarah Thompson
I’ve always had a passion for films, and the dream of my entire family enjoying the same movie together has lingered in my mind for years. My partner has been eager to introduce our three daughters to his favorite films from the ’80s since they first sat down to watch cartoons. “Not another whiny character!” I chuckled, explaining that they weren’t quite old enough for his nostalgic picks.
But as we moved past the era of Jessie and iCarly, he declared it was time to share “real movies,” starting with Star Wars. I could tell he was anticipating my excitement.
“I think they might need more time,” I replied, struggling to recall the details of the films I once cherished.
“What about The Goonies?” he suggested, full of hope.
With a laugh, I retorted, “Absolutely not, it won’t resonate with them.”
“Come on, it’s a classic! They’ll adore it!” he insisted, imitating the famous “Baby Ruth” line from Sloth.
I decided to go along with his enthusiasm; sometimes you just have to roll with the punches. We gathered the girls and excitedly announced we would be watching a movie from our childhood.
My youngest, Mia, was incredulous. “Wait, you had TVs for movies back then?”
“Very funny. Yes, we did! This film is called The Goonies, and your dad loved it. So will you!”
My middle child shot me a dramatic eye roll.
As the film started, the bold title prompted them all to read it aloud: Goonies. “What’s a goonie?” they asked.
“A goonie is someone who feels like they don’t belong,” my husband explained.
“Were you a goonie, Dad? Did you not fit in?” Mia inquired, patting his shoulder in sympathy.
“No, I wasn’t a goonie. Just watch the movie,” he said, a mix of annoyance and excitement in his voice.
I stifled a laugh as Josh Brolin appeared on screen, decked out in a sweatsuit and headband.
“Why is he dressed like that? Did he have surgery or something?” Mia asked.
After about half an hour of what I can only describe as polite watching, my husband turned to me with a grin. “They like it, right girls?!”
There was silence.
“It’s good, right?” he pushed, looking hopeful.
Three sets of curious eyes glanced at me before returning to him. “Honestly, Dad, it’s not that good. It’s kind of boring,” they replied.
“It’s okay, girls,” I said, trying to ease the blow. “Why don’t you go outside and jump on the trampoline?”
“Sorry, Dad. We prefer movies that aren’t from the olden days. But you can keep watching,” they said as they dashed out the door before we could argue.
A few weeks later, we made another attempt to connect through classic films. This time, we ordered Back to the Future, popped some popcorn, and settled onto the couch together.
“So what does ‘Back to the Future’ mean? Shouldn’t it be ‘To the Future’ or ‘Back in Time’? Can you even go back to the future?” asked my daughter, Emma.
My husband sighed, “Can we just watch the movie, please?”
They settled down, clearly struggling to stay quiet.
But this time, their engagement was immediate. They loved Marty and the high school antics were right up their alley. I didn’t remember as much adult language back then, but considering they’ve seen Pitch Perfect, I figured they could handle it.
My husband exchanged smiles with me multiple times throughout the movie. After finishing the entire Back to the Future trilogy, the girls asked for more classics from “the olden days.” We even scored the Star Wars trilogy during Blockbuster’s going-out-of-business sale. They devoured Star Wars and The Empire Strikes Back in one sitting, and when my husband left for work, they couldn’t wait and watched Return of the Jedi without him. While it bummed him out, he was thrilled that they were so excited.
There’s something uniquely special about connecting your childhood experiences to your kids’ lives. We may never truly play together as friends in the way we would have if we grew up side by side, but sharing these moments allows them a glimpse into our past, creating a magical bond. Perhaps they’re ready for Can’t Buy Me Love or even more film adventures.
For those interested in exploring more about parenting and movies, check out this engaging article that dives into the joys of family film nights. And if you’re considering starting a family, Make A Mom offers reliable at-home insemination syringe kits. Also, for a more in-depth look at what to expect during your first IUI, Parents has excellent resources to guide you through the process.
In summary, revisiting our favorite childhood films through our children’s eyes is a rewarding experience that enriches our family bonds, allowing us to share cherished memories while creating new ones.
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