The Problem with Peter Pan

It’s been a long, long time since I watched the Disney version of ‘Peter Pan’. As a child, I didn’t enjoy it. There was something not quite right about it.

Now that I’m an adult, I can examine the problems of abandonment, racism, gender stereotypes, absent fathers and the strange strange idea of never wanting (or being able?) to grow up. As a child, I couldn’t articulate these feelings well, but I still remember being so so uncomfortable.

And therein lies the point of today’s post.

Why my 3 year olds have not seen ‘Frozen’

A year after the worldwide smash ‘Frozen’ hit cinemas, I have finally got round to previewing it for my just-turned-3 year olds. After all, it seems that everyone has seen it, and so many of the our playdate friends are avid fans. However, much as I liked it, and as much as I am thrilled that it has done so well, BabyGirl and BabyBoy won’t be watching it anytime soon.

My biggest problem with the Spice Girls was…..Baby

The Spice Girls. Insanely popular in the 90s. ‘Girl power’ etc etc.

I was still growing up when the Spice Girls burst onto the scene. And goodness, there was enough going on to freak parents out.

Those catchy, catchy songs with lyrics that you’d really rather not hear your child singing along to:

Nerdy boy WLTM attractive girl bully?

Recently, I saw the film Mr Peabody and Sherman.

Now, this is by no means a bad film. It’s quite entertaining for adults, and a great way of sparking an interest in history for children.

But….but…there is the obligatory awful plot line.

Why Chitty Chitty Bang Bang Creeps Me Out (it’s not what you think)

Chitty Chitty Bang Bang is a beloved film from 1968. It’s been made into a musical. It’s lauded as family-friendly fun.

Over the years some people have raised concerns about it’s darker themes. Most often, this has centered around the Child Catcher – the admittedly very creepy villain who, as his name suggests, captures and imprisons children.

But that is not what creeps me out about this film.