As my children have grown and we’ve finally bid farewell to those endless Caillou reruns, my husband and I are thrilled to introduce our two tweens to the wonderfully nostalgic world of ‘80s movies—the greatest cinematic era, if I do say so myself!
Watching these films takes me back to a time when I rocked multiple pairs of neon socks, sported gravity-defying hairstyles, and spent more time chatting on my pastel princess phone than a team of phone operators. I take pride in the fact that my generation gifted the world classics like Spies Like Us and Caddyshack. Icons like John Candy, Dan Aykroyd, and Chevy Chase, alongside Molly Ringwald, Anthony Michael Hall, and Andrew McCarthy, were our companions as we navigated the ups and downs of adolescence. Their films shaped our identities, right down to our beloved Duckie shoes and those vintage dresses we “borrowed” from our moms’ closets.
The ‘80s movies tackled serious issues—social unrest, heartache, and even time travel! We learned about friendship from secret clubs, confronted prejudice in boarding schools, and wished for a moment when a masked hero would proclaim, “As you wish.” Life felt simpler when viewed through the lens of John Hughes, and I suspect no other genre has garnered such a dedicated fan base. Come on, admit it: who hasn’t fantasized about John Cusack holding a boom box outside their window?
As I revisit my favorite ‘80s films with my kids, I realize these classic movies offer valuable lessons for navigating the tricky tween years. Yes, those flicks can actually make us better parents! Here are twelve common tween dilemmas paired with their ideal ‘80s movie counterparts:
- If your tween is facing bullying, Some Kind of Wonderful is the perfect pick. Nothing beats the satisfaction of seeing the underdog triumph—and we all coveted those earrings, right, Mary Stuart Masterson?
- Need babysitting advice for your tween? Adventures in Babysitting has you covered, Thor hat and all. Bonus points for knowing how to belt out the blues—definitely a marketable skill in today’s babysitting scene.
- If your teen is too serious, Ferris Bueller’s Day Off is the ideal remedy. Plus, who can forget that pancreas moment?
- Struggling with a teen who feels out of place? Show them Can’t Buy Me Love—because sometimes, the knight in shining armor rides a lawn mower, and telescopes are both cool and pricey.
- If your teen is nervous about college applications, let Animal House give him a peek into Greek life that might just motivate him to send those transcripts.
- For awkward conversations about sex, Dirty Dancing is your go-to. After all, no one puts Baby in a corner, and Johnny knows how to handle a watermelon.
- If you’re so wrapped up in wedding planning that you forgot your younger daughter’s birthday, show her Sixteen Candles. Jake Ryan always shows up in the end—he gets it.
- If your tween isn’t respecting parental figures, Mr. Mom is a gentle reminder that sometimes, moms work hard on Schooner Tuna campaigns—and dads can handle the home front. 220, 221, whatever it takes, right?
- When your teen rushes to grow up, show her Big. She’ll learn that adulthood isn’t as glamorous as it seems, aside from the unlimited silly string.
- If teaching your teen to drive terrifies you, License to Drive might ease your fears. I mean, what could possibly go wrong?
- If your teen didn’t make the football team, just say one word: Rudy. RUDY! RUUUUDY!
- And if your teen is anxious about graduation, St. Elmo’s Fire could show her that college is where lifelong friendships blossom—and maybe a crush on a guy who’s good with fire.
Seriously, each and every ‘80s movie is packed with life lessons that we can apply as parents. Taking the time to share these classics with our kids not only helps us bond but also allows us to reminisce about our own youthful adventures. And if you decide to don your old jean jacket and a Frankie Says Relax T-shirt while sifting through your VHS collection, no judgment here!
Now, I need to help my daughter with her history homework. She’s deep into Medieval studies, and I can’t even begin to fathom how much she has to learn tonight!
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Summary
‘80s movies provide valuable lessons that can help parents navigate the challenges of raising tweens and teens by offering relatable situations and insights. From tackling bullying to navigating college applications, these films can enhance parenting while fostering connections between generations.