Movies With a Purpose!

Regular movie nights provide a wonderful opportunity for families to just be together, but they can also offer so much more.  For parents, watching movies can be a great way to relax and unwind after a busy week or a long day.  Tweens also enjoy movies because the stories and characters transport them to real or imaginary places, offer excitement and adventure, and provide time to just let them chill.  But, watching movies can also create opportunities for families to grow and learn together. Parents can select a family movie that provides a chance to discuss important issues.  For example, the movie, The Blind Side, presents issues such as racial inequality and poverty, which are prevalent concerns in our world.  While watching the movie, parents can hit the pause button and have discussion time with their tweens. A discussion like this can be a great time to help tweens explore their feelings, think about what happened in the movie, and learn to understand what the movie was saying and what themes were presented. Movies do not have to be heavy. Indeed, light-hearted movies often have some important messages that tweens pick up on. 

Of course, having a regular movie night also means that tweens should have a chance to select a movie they would like the family to view together, and, then, the family can discuss the meanings behind it. Just taking the time to sit down as a family and engage in a discussion about a shared activity, like a movie, provides a safe space to discuss emotions, perceptions, and values.  This can also be a great way to learn about other family members' points of view.

By taking the time to share the experience AND providing a safe space, parents are fostering growth and understanding.  Finally, in addition to having a purpose of dialog and learning, movies can also be a great time to experiment with new snacks!