I remember being able to watch most of a movie, but not certain parts/scenes (the face melting in Raiders of the Lost Ark, the abortion scene in Dirty Dancing, etc.) But there were enough exceptions made that I didn't really feel like I was missing out on too much: Weird Science, Secret of My Success, Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, Bird on a Wire, Dances With Wolves, Robin Hood...all PG-13 movies that I loved and was allowed to see before I was 13. And I know there were others, too. Speed, Blown Away, Outbreak, A Time to Kill...all awesome R rated movies that I was able to see before I was technically "old enough", too.
Sure, being restricted meant that sometimes I actually told friends, "No. My parents won't let me watch that movie." But believe it or not, it was never really a big deal. And sure, that meant that when I was watching a movie, I found myself counting "f words" and other objectionable things so I could set limits for myself. Maybe that made me a goodie-two-shoes, but so be it. (And for the record...I'm pretty sure that was not the only thing that made me a goodie-two-shoes.)
That being said, I've carried on those same practices of my parents into my own parenting. So, call me a fuddy-duddy, but I tend not to let my kids watch PG-13 movies. Unless I've seen it and have either deemed it "OK" or of a high enough awesomeness level to outweigh the objectionable qualities. But for the most part, I figure they're rated PG-13 for a reason.
And for the most part, I stick to it. There are movies that I've let them watch all but 5 minutes of, because there's a scene that I don't think they should see (when Anakin gets burned/melted on the lava planet in Episode 3, when Professor Lupin turns into a werewolf in Prisoner of Azkaban, etc.). Again, call me a fuddy-duddy, but I think they have plenty of time in life to see/hear scary, vulgar, inappropriate, gory things...why shouldn't I protect them from as much of it as I can...while I can? Now, I'm not saying we should totally shelter them and keep them on a leash. I say "cut the cord"...helicopter parents aren't doing their kids any favors! However, we do still have a job to do.
And now, my kids are at an age where they're spending more time at friends' houses, having sleep overs and the like. And trust me, I know this is only the beginning. But they're already coming home having watched movies that I wouldn't have let them watch. Nothing awful, still only PG-13, but I imagine it won't be long before R rated movies come into play. My kids are good kids. They have good friends with good parents. But, it's happening nonetheless. I can talk with the parents and see if maybe they can text me first. I can talk with Hannah and Mason about expectations for trustworthiness and honesty, but I guess that's about it, isn't it? I don't think I'm being unreasonable, though. And I think it extends to TV shows and video games as well. At school, I hear all the time about the shows kids are watching and the games their playing, and I just don't get it. I just want to do everything I can to keep my kids innocent (not that they're angels) as long as possible.
Call me naïve. Call me strict. Call me a fuddy-duddy. So be it.
