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Recently, someone posted a generic picture. Kids riding bicycles in nature. And a message: “No one’s cherished childhood memory is a TV series or movie!” The usual advice (with a bit of aggression and shaming): “Back to nature, how we used to play,” “back then, it was scraped knees – today, just TV and mobile phones,” “why don’t you spend time with your children instead of dumping screens on them?!?” “let kids read instead of watching series!” This unsettled me a little, and I quickly spiraled into self-blame for not being a good mom and not doing enough. Fortunately, I started reading the comments. People were listing their favorite memories and expectations while following their favorite series and movies.
And, of course, I vividly remember mine. A summer evening, I finished playing for the day and wanted to laze around until dinner. And then she appeared on TV, red-haired Anne of Green Gables. We called the series “Road to Avonlea.” I knew it was love at first sight. I remember calling my mom, excitedly showing her the beautiful scenery, dresses like Sarah Kay's, Anne’s red hair, her explosive nature, her excessive ambition, her romantic idealism, and Gilbert. It was like someone had taken all the elements I loved and made the perfect magical mix. Mom laughed at my excessive excitement but joined me to watch together.
As Gen Z would say – disclaimer – I wish my kids would read more. And yes, I think I could have done more to instill that habit. There were periods when we read together, when they accepted my suggestions, periods when they read nothing, and when everything written more than ten years ago seemed boring and outdated. I think I mostly missed discussing what we read. Television has taken a special place in their interests. Parents of young children have gone through the developmental path from Peppa through Blaze, Paw Patrol, Dora, and her backpack. I have a hunch from the preteen and teenage era – they’ll claim they never loved Dora or her backpack THAT much.
If you can’t beat them, join them.
I saw them watching “Ninja Turtles” and casually mentioned that I used to be Raphael, or as they call him, Raf. The surprise on their faces was indescribable. They immediately told me I was more of a Donatello – Donnie, but that I was April O'Neil to them. They talked about which characters they identified with and why. And so began our shared watching and commenting on the content they watched. Cartoons were replaced by teen series. Analyzing situations, identifying with favorite characters.
It became clear to me that they could learn many things from all this, just as from books. After all, live-action content is also a type of text for interpretation. Honestly, even today, thanks to Ninja Turtles, the only era for which I can effortlessly list representatives is the Renaissance. We watched a teenage series set in a high school in California. And while I thought they were only interested in everyday incidents, competitions, and occasional humorous remarks, my older son asked me during a walk what the Ivy League was and whether they were really the best universities. Later, he said he would like to have lockers in school and that it must be interesting to have joint projects in each subject. And while we eagerly awaited the fourth season, they said they couldn’t wait to see if Devi would get into the college she wanted since the first season.
Our parents had it easier (okay, that’s probably what our parents thought about previous generations). Educational programs on state television in the morning were safe content. But there’s no going back. I realized that time wouldn’t return, and I must figure out how to make the most of the modern information age. The series we watched came years after our peers had already watched them. Oh, if only I had had world premieres back then and could see how the filming went, and had a platform to share interpretations with kids worldwide. That’s how we started using the internet to learn about what interests them.
It was nice to see a full theater during the promotions of Spider-Man, Avengers, and superhero movies. All the kids were excited; some had already seen what would happen. It was nice to see them in the cinema, knowing they shared that moment with the whole world and that it was a cultural moment that would be one of the key ones in shaping them.
My biggest nightmare is YouTube and TikTok. But a complete ban is not the solution. So, we try to talk about the videos they watch. Sometimes it’s boring to listen to tricks for passing games or about a guy crossing America without money, earning on the go for a day ahead. But it’s worth it. Because you see their interests, they realize you value their hobbies. And because one day, they’ll tell you that you have to watch a karate series because they can’t wait to talk to you about it.
The second part of the animated film “Inside Out” was recently shown in theaters. I’m sure it will be the most significant animated film in the coming decades. I won’t recount the content. But that film is equally important for us and the kids. In the first one, we learned that all emotions are important, equally sadness and joy. That we all have that little angry man inside our heads. The second part tells the story of the greatest challenge for parents and teenagers – puberty. We laughed and cried; some complained a little because they were too big for cartoons. But everyone in the theater whispered – it’s all the same, it’s all true. I see kids imitating those little people from the cartoon to say shame, boredom, or anxiety has appeared.
In the cartoon, one thing from the beginning of the story appears several times. That backpack from the Dora cartoon and her adventures. You know, the one they didn’t love that much. Well, it turned out they did. The theater was filled with a sigh revealing nostalgia. For the time when they were kids. I think it would be the same with us if Elmer the Elephant suddenly emerged.
We are still negotiating with reading, but as I type this, I get a message that they have read 10 (ten) pages of Harry Potter and what’s different from the movie. The reverse path and small steps, but I accept.
