What brought on my sudden change of heart?
To start, I spoke to my ex. He agreed that the original movies – The Hulk, Captain America, Thor, and Iron Man 1 & 2 – had some pretty intense scenes. But then he reminded me that a six-year-old is going to be more focused on the robots and monsters and super cool super powers than the fact that Tony Stark is drinking his fifth whiskey.
Tentatively, I let him watch Iron Man 1 and 2 this weekend. I sat next to him to make sure nothing would freak him out. As much as it pains me to admit, my ex was right. Joseph loved the action scenes and spent the “talky” scenes building Lego versions of Iron Man and the bad robots.
I asked him if any of it scared him and he just rolled his eyes at me.
Elizabeth, by the way, woke up from her nap before Iron Man 2 was finished.
“Baby. Come over here and play with Mommy. This movie is too scary for you.”
She shot me a look of pure disgust and said, “I not scared. I brave.”
Apparently, I underestimate both my children. Though she did lose interest in record time and played with her babies instead.
When I was a kid, my parents had a yes means yes and no means no philosophy. While I understand the concept, more and more I find myself shifting my stance after further consideration.
Do you ever change your mind when you’ve told your children no? Or do you stick with your original stance?
