Okay , I admit it. I used a tacky blogger ploy to reel you in. I wrote a catchy title for this post that would stir something within other toddler mamas. In fact, your toddler might be watching Moana as we speak, and you’re furiously perusing this to find out why I’m so obnoxious and judgmental. Here’s the thing. I love Moana. What’s not to love? A badass, dark-skinned girl who becomes a heroine for her family and doesn’t fall in love in order to be fulfilled? Heck ya! Disney did well with this movie, and it packs a powerful punch, what with the awesome girl-power message and the fantastic music and visuals. So why did I stop letting Chloe watch it?
Well, she’s two. And no, I don’t think Moana is inappropriate or scary. Granted, I didn’t let her watch the ending because I did think it was too dark and scary, but then I later found out my husband had shown it to her and she was apparently completely unperturbed. Go figure. But no … she’s two. And she won’t be two forever. In fact, she won’t be two for long. Even worse? By the time you’re reading this, she’s probably already three. And she has plenty of years ahead of her to love movies like Moana. When she goes to school and all her little friends have backpacks and t-shirts and folders with their favorite Disney princess or heroines on them. When they talk about how “cool” the latest movie was and she can dream about being courageous, strong or in love. That will all happen for her regardless of how I feel about it because it’s part of growing up. But right now? She’s a toddler who still talks to her stuffed animals and thinks the moon can be touched if she reaches high enough. I only have a handful of these years with her when she is so sweet, so innocent, so “baby.” When she is young enough to love the cute little toddler and preschool shows like Winnie the Pooh, Daniel Tiger or Sesame Street. When she is young enough to dance and sing her little heart out in front of the television and wave to her friends on the screen.
The day she no longer wants to hear “Wheels on the Bus” or watch Pooh Bear because it’s “for babies” is a day I know is nearer than I would like. They grow up fast … especially in today’s world. And I want to protect her innocence in every way that is practical through every stage of her life. Please don’t get me wrong – her watching Moana is certainly not stripping her of innocence, and in fact, the truth is that we might still put on Moana now and again (you guys, the music is so darn good, right?) My point is that in a few years, there are tv shows (and movies and songs) she will NOT want to watch anymore, so I might as well enjoy it now while she still does. While she still giggles every time Tigger comes bouncing on screen or waves goodbye to Daniel Tiger, her favorite little neighbor.
Okay, you feel better about my title now? I can’t keep her little, and nor should I want to, but what I CAN do is enjoy her while she is. Rock on, mama. We’re all doing the best we can! Now go ahead and listen to Maui’s “You’re Welcome.” It’s the best song of the whole film, don’t you think?
xoxo, Heidi
I agree, being as though the only Disney movies Hannah has seen are Frozen (minus like 30 minutes of what I deem to be too intense for her) and some of Finding Dory, which was Jon’s choice, not mine because I hated it when I saw it and thought it was terribly sad! I feel that Hannah is too sensitive (not in a bad way) to watch most kid movies because they all have something sort of scary in them, and at this point she has very little to be afraid of. Really all she’s got are bugs of various sizes and loud sounds, and there’s not a whole lot I can do about those! Someday she’ll be ready for all of those movies, but for now I will watch Tom the Tow Truck a million times, and apparently the happy parts of “Elsa”, because we already opened Pandoras box on that one and she’s just so darn cute asking for it 😉
Chloe has seen Moana, Finding Nemo and Finding Dory. She has never really sat through an entire movie, though, to be fair. She WILL watch the Pooh Bear movies, but they are only about an hour or so long. I’m hoping to keep her away from Frozen for a while LOL.