Jill Smokler, AKA Scary Mommy
@scarymommy
Latest posts by Jill Smokler, AKA Scary Mommy (see all)
- The Disney Reveal - May 14, 2013
- Met My Match At Disney… - May 13, 2013
- Sunday’s Baltimore Sun - May 11, 2013
I’ve never been much of a cartoon fan. Even as a young child, I preferred real human acting to the countless cartoons my friends adored. I just never understood the joy of watching poor Tom and Jerry torture each other or an annoying dog solving mysteries. I happily chose Reading Rainbow or The Electric Company and was quite happy (with the exception of the truly outrageous Jem. She was transcendent.) I felt much the same way about movies– Disney never did it for me, but I could never get enough of Flight of the Navigator, Annie or The Parent Trap (the real one.)
Now, as a parent, I find myself in a difficult predicament. If I were a less selfish mother, I would allow my children to enjoy a little Max and Ruby, Dora or Scooby in my company. But, I’m just not and I just can’t. If I’m busy making dinner or trying to sound somewhat professional on the phone, they may watch a half hour of cringe-worthy animation, but if they want me to watch with them? I get to layout the choices. And, the choices you ask? Musicals, baby.
Currently, we are enjoying a rotation of Mama Mia, Hairspray and Little Shop of Horrors. Admittedly, not especially geared towards children, but highly preferable to Alvin and The Chipmunks. Last night, the kids watched a half hour of Glee, the best new show on television. And they loved it. So far, the sexual innuendos are seeming to go right over their little heads, and they watch solely for the singing and dancing.
At least that’s what I thought, until this evening. Tonight, not only did Ben sing almost every word of Little Shop’s “Mean Green Mother From Outer Space,” including the expletives, but Lily also began to question how exactly a child could have three possible fathers. Whoops.
So, I suppose I’ll retire the PG-13 movies in return for the G rated ones. You know, where mother deer are shot in front of their young, terrifying sea witches make deals with innocent mermaids and uncles blame sweet lion cubs for their father’s deaths. After all, those are acceptable for children.
{ 76 comments… read them below or add one }
Well when you put the G rated movies THAT way…..I’m now off to throw out all of Lael’s movies. What’s that….you want to see The Sound Of Music? No. Problem.
.-= Keyona´s last blog ..I Hope I’ve Done Her Proud =-.
Don’t forget about the Nazi sub-plot!
I am so NOT a fan of most Disney movies. Not because I have some moral objection to them…but they just rub me the wrong way. Same with most cartoons. Max and Ruby irk me to no end. Where are their parents dammit???
I have no idea how to deal with TV once Alexa gets old enough to realize it’s not just a box with lights and sounds.
BTW, Flight of the Navigator is such a fantastic movie!!!
.-= Amber´s last blog ..Don’t Touch The Baby =-.
The parents fled because Ruby’s voice is so freaking annoying.
I have the Jem box set. I kid you not.
.-= jodifur´s last blog ..Mea Culpa =-.
There is a Jem boxed set?? How did I not know that?!
I am also not totally into animation – and had many of the same favorites as a child you listed. I can’t stand the “classic” Disney movies, but the Pixar movies are great so I recommend them. Also, classic musicals like Singing in the Rain are good, because even the romance is chaste
Nothing is ever wrong with a good musical!
.-= Susan´s last blog ..Seven Ways to Get your Kids to Talk to you – For the Fun of it! =-.
I LOVE Flight of the Navigator! Best. movie. ever!
I know what you mean about the kid shows…all I hear all day is “Dora horsey! Dora Hallooooweeeen!”
Ahhh! Makes me want to pour myself a glass of wine bright and early sometimes…
.-= Chelle´s last blog ..She Ate How Many?! =-.
Ugh, Dora makes me crazy. Diego isn’t so bad, but Dora? Cannot stand her.
I’ve never been into animation either. Musicals YES! That is why I was/am the biggest High School Musical fan! Finally something I can opening enjoy w/my girls. I tried to watch Glee last night w/my 11 yo, but the sexual innuendos did not fly over her head, so there were some uncomfortable moments. The Sound of Music was on last week, and my kids (&husnbd) were impressed that I knew all of the words to the songs. Grease is another good movie to watch.
Yes, Grease is a good one too. I’ve never even watched High School Musical, but I bet I would love it– my taste does seem to align with most 13 year olds. :)
I love Grease but when I attempted to re-watch it with my 7 year old – I realized I had forgotten about the drinking, smoking, abortion subplot and the girls creaming over greased lightning. Just not stuff I felt like discussing during a movie!
.-= Liz Jenkins´s last blog ..Priority Setting: FREE Special Report! =-.
LOL, I know exactly how you feel! You should have them watch Second hand Lions. I LOVE that movie and my kids do too. Hmmm, another one is How to Eat Fried Worms, it’s disgusting but the kids love it. Do you remember the movie from when we were little….Bed Knobs and Broom Sticks??? I would love to find that one for them to see!
I have a contest going, stop by and enter for some fall/halloween fun!
.-= Nicole´s last blog ..Happy Bloggiversary!!!! =-.
I am so with you. I just can’t watch the animated stuff either….and it seems like we have very similar taste in movies. I have a current need for my daughter to watch Annie, but I had forgotten about so many other beloved movies you mentioned. LOVED Flight of the Navigator and Parent Trap. Others? The Bennigan Gang, Grease, Back to the Future, Anne of Green Gables (the whole series), ET, Wizard of Oz….and all those classic Made for TV Movies….where did THOSE go?
.-= Megan´s last blog ..I have a new love in my life…. SHHH, don’t tell Chris! =-.
I love all of those– Anne of Green Gables was the best!!
Yeah, it’s actually pretty hard to find movies/shows these days that are geared towards kids that are actually appropriate for them that don’t melt the brains of everyone else in the house. Gotta stick with the era that The Parent Trap came from, that is if you can stomach Hailey Mills for that long.
(There’s a lot to explain to a kid about The Sound of Music as well – At this stage (kids are 5,3&2) I think I’d rather explain Ursula’s reference to “body language” than explain the Nazis.)
.-= Cranky Sarah´s last blog ..Why I rarely talk politics =-.
I HATE Disney movies. Yeah, Aladdin’s a great teacher.”If I do marry, I want it to be for love.” Three days and one street rat later, “Oh, Ali! Let’s get married!” And seriously? CRAPPY DISGUISE, AL! Because that *so* wasn’t obvious. Never mind the rest of the princesses. Oh, I could go on for quite some time about all that bull, but I won’t.
So what do I play for my kids? Mighty Ducks. Pride & Prejudice. Invincible. National Treasure. Serenity / Firefly. I think I may have let them watch The Fast and the Furious, but that was only because I thought they were asleep. They love M*A*S*H. They also know all the words to the Family Guy show (which I hate but MarvMan loves) theme song but have never seen an episode. TV goes off when Family Guy comes on because that’s bath and bedtime.
.-= LinLori´s last blog ..Writer’s Workshop: Recent Conversation =-.
Yeah; good points. We let our kids watch a lot of adult tv and documentaries; they love watching “Daddy shows”. Leaves lots of real life questions to answer at their level and some that we say, you’ll understand when you are older.
.-= LaDonna´s last blog ..30 Days of Recipes – Easy Raisin Cake =-.
I’ve convinced Katie that the soundtrack of Wicked is “her” music. She loves the Wizard of Oz, so it was a logical progression…
.-= Julie B.´s last blog ..TRIPLE Double Trouble =-.
I love Wicked. I need to start playing that for the kids!
Ugh…do NOT get me started on my Disney is ruining our children soap box…and never mind the fact that I still allow my kids to watch some of those horrible deer killing movies. Maybe you should try Fantasia…a musical cartoon. Lovely. And boring.
.-= Mama Kat´s last blog ..Writer’s Workshop: In A Nutshell =-.
Personally…I am quite the TV critic. If it does not ‘float my boat’ then I find and point out to all who will listen…every single thing that is wrong with each show.
As for kids and TV…I think many of the young kids shows are out of control inappropriate. Let me know if you’d like a breakdown of all the shows.
.-= TentCamper´s last blog ..Love in a Bottle =-.
The voices of all the cartoons my children love, Dora, Diego, Ni-Hao, Super-Why are so annoying I just can’t take it. And I’m horrified 45 minutes later when I find myself singing the last song that was incorporated in the storyline.
I’m making my children watch “Schoolhouse Rock” until they catch onto it’s greatness. How could I forget about Jem…my daughter would love her – can’t resist a girl with pink hair!
.-= Jelly´s last blog ..Beans and Jelly? =-.
Cartoons have been known to scare me as much as real movies! I loved the Electric Company!!
.-= Kimberly´s last blog ..Labor Day 2009 =-.
I have Babes in Toyland with Annette Funicello and my 3 year old daughter loves loves loves it. If it were up to her we would watch it everyday. She is also addicted to Hi-5, she loves singing and dancing to them.
Plus I don’t know if anyone has mentioned Pete’s Dragon, that is half cartoon and half live action. :) Best of both worlds. hehe
I’ve never even heard of that, but I do love Enchanted so I’ll give it a try.
It makes you wonder how Disney movies have been so successful, when you think about all the parent issues in them! Seriously, is there even ONE Disney movie where the main character hasn’t had at least one of their parents die???
Cinderella? Father dies after marrying evil stepmother.
Snow White? Mother dies and father marries evil stepmother.
Oh, yeah… and try explaining to your dog-loving-kids just WHY it was Cruella wanted all those puppies…
(I didn’t know there was a Jem boxed set, either! Squeeee!)
.-= Shannon´s last blog ..Watch your back, Tess Tyler* =-.
Yep, Dora’s pretty bad, so bad that she’s forbidden. You want tame musicals that inspire sibling bonds? The Labyrinth! My four year old daughter thinks it’s hilarious. Our puppy’s name is Ludo for that reason.
Supposedly the Disney issues like parental deaths help children cope with real life better, per a professor of mine in school.
.-= Lori Z.´s last blog ..Wordless Wednesday: What Happens When Sister’s at School =-.
Great read! I love it and I think I argued much of these points when my kids were little. But I have to admit when your kid mimics the last line in Princess Bride, where Inigo finally gets the six fingered man cornered, it’s hard to justify my dislike of Dora. :)
.-= Gabrielle´s last blog ..Make Your Own Produce Bags =-.
I can’t sit and watch cartoons either. My daughter will tell me to “go play computer”.
.-= Mwa´s last blog ..Feeding the cold =-.
It’s surprising how many kids don’t find those disney films scary – when you think about it in terms of their villains, puppy thefts and mothers being shot, they damn well should find them scary!
.-= Vic´s last blog ..Girl Talk Thursday: Halloween =-.
I’m not so good a censoring my dude’s movies. They don’t watch any ole thing, but most ole things. And, Glee is kinda awesome but I have a hard time accepting it when the teacher starts rapping. It’s not that he totally sucks at it, it’s just so unexpected, or at least it was. I’m ready for it next time! And, the only one who watched with me was #3, the other two were in the other room watching Star Wars. Is that for kids? Do I even care?
.-= parenting BY dummies´s last blog ..Spook-kay =-.
My kids seem to watch lots of Animal Planet and Croc Hunter doco’s so they don’t see mummy deers being shot they just watch antelope get chased down and eaten by a pack of lionesses. Oh well, could be worse they could be watching the Disney Channel or the yicky icky vomit inducing Wiggles.
.-= blueskyhi´s last blog ..Book Sharing Monday – How Santa Really Works =-.
I hate disney now. I hate so many of those mind-numbing shows. Marry Poppins and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang still work for me. I love Sword and Stone (Disney)–it’s all about brain over brawn. I wish they’d make a musical of Les Miserable! When my oldest son was 4, we started listening to it. I’d fast-forward over the dicy songs, and he’d complain because the music was the funnest part. However, he grew up lov ing the musical. I was going to take him when he got old enough to the Broadway production when they came to town, but they were always near my due date and I’d have to travel quite a few hours to watch. He went on a mission atrip to Uguanda a few years ago, and on a few day lay over He got to see it at the Queens theatre. Lucky Guy! It’s still one of his favorites!
.-= maryleigh´s last blog ..Blackberry Hand-Me Downs =-.
I don’t care who you are…my tolerance ENDS at Max & Ruby.
.-= Futureblackmail´s last blog ..ANOTHER FOOTBALL POST =-.
Yellow Submarine. Best animated musical ever.
“Bluish? He doesn’t LOOK bluish!”
.-= lceel´s last blog ..Friday Haiku – Panty Dropper =-.
the one thing i watched over and over with my kids was ”Voyage of the Mimi”. This series on PBS which dealt with kids learning, exploring and solving problems all aboard the sailboat ”Mimi”. i need to watch this again. Dont know if it is available to buy or rent.
right. i forgot you get motion sickness. the kids will like it though.
AJ knew all of the words to every Mamma Mia song before he was four. That gives you a glimpse into our viewing habits. ;)
.-= Lolli´s last blog ..Give Me Your Best Shot & Photo Story Friday =-.
My mother raised me on Doris Day movies and other random weird musicals that no one else has ever heard of (Harvey Girls, anyone?). It’s all good. We need more children who long for a world when people randomly break out into song and dance.
.-= Jensational´s last blog ..The decade =-.
I have to admit – I do love the cartoons. But I can relate to this in terms of kid music. Free to be You and Me is about as far as I can go for my children. If music is on, it’s generally something along the lines of Jackson Five or Frank Sinatra (or disco or 80′s…I’ve got a very ecclectic and outdated CD collection).
.-= Kate Coveny Hood´s last blog ..The Island of Misfit Toys =-.
I love Annie, Parent Trap and Jem! Some movies that I loved when I was a kid are Pollyanna, That Darn Cat, Swiss Family Robinson, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Grease, Six Pack (with Kenny Rogers) and Mary Poppins (a musical!). I havent seen high school musical or Camp Rock…but I think that I would secretly love them.
Try Ella Enchanted. That is non-animated and a kid movie. I love it and so does Baby Girl. But we love animated movies too. Sometimes I have to fight David and the kids to watch something non-animated.
.-= Jennifer´s last blog ..Marriage is… =-.
Ella Enchanted is wonderful – we love that movie – and the soundtrack is awesome too – it’s on heavy rotation at our house.
.-= Liz Jenkins´s last blog ..Priority Setting: FREE Special Report! =-.
I still can’t believe anyone lets their children watch Bambi! They have to know their kids are going to think everything and everyone is dying for a year to come… at least.
You should have them watch Dennis The Menace! Awesome non-animated kids movie.
.-= Belle´s last blog ..Please pray for our offspring… =-.
Bambi kills me. Makes me cry everytime. I’m with mama kat, don’t get me started on the Disney Soapbox
.-= mariah´s last blog ..Eight Years =-.
Great post!
I loved “Flight of the Navigator”.
.-= Jen´s last blog ..Just for laughs =-.
My kids love the Food Network and game shows, especially Cash Cab. Although, they never really got too excited about cartoons or TV in general. I have tried, really I have, to get them to watch TV so I can make dinner. But it lasts about 10 minutes at the most.
.-= Kirsten´s last blog ..9/11/01 =-.
Totally agree, Glee is fabulous! I love it. Did you know that the songs are on iTunes. That makes me Squee with Glee
Sorry, I couldn’t resist.
We watched Kung Fu Panda last week.. later that day I hear a “I’m scared of the dark tiger” from my son. You can’t win either way. It seems like the only safe things are videos like veggie tales, word world and the like.
Girl, this post is so close to my heart. I have always just hated animation. I have no idea why and very few share this aversion. And I agree with you… about the movies. I don’t let my kids watch any of those “kid” movies because they are so violent and awful. But “High School Musical”? No problem. Music, dancing and a nice message. And I don’t mind watching it too.
.-= the mama bird diaries´s last blog ..remembering michele =-.
Jem was THE best cartoon ever. Well, and Thundercats because of Cheetara.
And wow @Jodifur! A Jem boxset!! I’m so on it.
.-= Jessica – This Is Worthwhile´s last blog ..Eight years ago =-.
Ah the things to look forward to. So far we haven’t gotten much past Thomas the Train and SYTYCD
Ha! Hee! I love it. I was a Disney princess fan all the way, and being the total hypocrite that I am, won’t let Lili watch those movies (well, yet).
Her current fave movie is Audrey Hepburn in “Funny Face”, courtesy of my mom. She LOVES all the FANCINESS.
.-= June´s last blog ..Cloth Diapering =-.
Ummm wait! What happened to “Finding Nemo”. That has to be a must for kids and parents. I watch that when I’m sad & blue, and also because I wish I could live in the sea.
Seriously try that movie…
And you must try Ratatouile. AWESOME!
.-= dawn´s last blog ..sharp cheddar-onion pizza w/ fig jam =-.
What’s funny is that I didn’t really like cartoons as a kid, but as an adult, I love them and now I adore watching them with my daughter. Reliving my childhood, I guess. There’s some pretty dark stuff in those Disney movies.
.-= Cara´s last blog ..Harmonica Slim =-.
Disney is evil, and the REAL fairy tales are dark and disturbing. My parents made my watch things like Pink Floyd’s The Wall and I turned out ok. Sort of.
.-= Sandy´s last blog ..Two Years, 100 Posts =-.
After reading this yesterday and after having a successful (mostly) vieweing of the American Girl movie Felicity the other night I thought that Katie was also ready. We started with Anne of Green Gables but had to turn that off after I realized it was boring her to tears (or maybe it was the guy who dropped dead in the first 5 minutes). So then we moved onto Annie..at least THAT has song and dance. We got up to the “I think I’m gonna like it here” and then I was begged to give her a bath because she had already watched Annie for soooooo long. Ahh, baby steps…
.-= Julie B.´s last blog ..10 Months Old – Little Big Boy =-.
Don’t worry about it. Once kids get past about third grade, they are going to start repeating things that are much worse than Disney. And usually right in front of your mother in law. :)
.-= Shannon´s last blog ..Can I See Some I.D., Please? =-.
you. are all kinds of awesome. ;-)
I am now, singing Mean Green Mother …
.-= rachel-asouthernfairytale´s last blog ..Come Rain or Come Shine =-.
YIKES! That said, my kids are allowed to watch a LOT of stuff that other parents would raise their eyebrows at. As long as they’re leaving me alone and not burning the house down? I’m good.
.-= tracey´s last blog ..Gone fishing, Eh? =-.
I am so HAPPY to read that I am not the only mother who lets their kids watch little shop of horrors – although along with you – I shelved it in the middle of the summer!
I’ve never liked cartoons where animals get hurt or die. I still can’t watch Bambi or Lion King. Even Finding Nemo gets me a little upset. :/ I grew up watching live action and I loved it! Maybe try out Sound of Music, My Fair Lady, Bedknobs and Broomsticks, Grease, and some of the older musicals – they tend to be more “child friendly”. :)
.-= Anne´s last blog ..Diclaimers, Free Stuff, and Other Crap =-.
I’ll plunk my kids down in front of whatever keeps them off my ass. I HATE Dora, MAX & RUBY drive me insane….. and have you seen the FRESH BEAT BAND?? Torture. But it keeps the little monsters temporarily quiet, so I suck it up.
I caught GLEE last week and it is just super fabulous. Sucks that I work evenings… I may have to have hubby record it for me.
.-= cristin´s last blog ..A Moment of Silence. =-.
Gleeeeee! Its the best!
I used to babysit for a 3 year old that would stay with me for a week or 2 at a time. After I couldn’t handle anymore Dora, I would turn on King of the Hill because she was completely entertained by anything animated.
It feels good to get that off of my chest. :)
.-= Nel´s last blog ..Cop Out Post Numero Dos =-.
I read this on my phone the other night and discussed it with Gary but I couldn’t leave a comment. Some of the kid shows are so annoying you will get SICK! And also, there is a lot of subliminal messaging going on. Seriously crazy!
.-= Life with Kaishon´s last blog ..Deep Thoughts =-.
My kids cannot wait for Dancing With the Stars to start. Is that so wrong?
.-= Elaine´s last blog ..Rewards & Awards =-.
We don’t allow a lot of the same in our house. My daughter is a huge musical fan and adores Mamma Mia!
.-= Liz´s last blog ..Blanket Worx Review & Giveaway Coming =-.
I hate most shows for children nowadays.
But… I’m a huge “classic” Disney fan and so I’ve stocked up on all the old films (101 Dalmations, Snow White, Sleeping Beauty, Pinocchio, and Atlantis are on Sophie’s gift list this year.)
I like that new and updated winnie the pooh and mickey mouse series, but that’s about it.
Max and Ruby drives me nuts! I feel like all Ruby does is correct Max and I refuse to have it turned on.
.-= The Wifey´s last blog ..So Maybe I Lied =-.
I’ve watched a couple episodes of Max and Ruby and have formulated a hypothesis about the purpose of the show – it’s actually intended to teach moms to play with their kids. Ruby always has her own activity going on (having a tea party, making a snow queen – something very girly and more “grown-up”) and Max just wants to play like little boys do. Ruby spends most of the show trying to get Max to comply with what she wants, and then eventually figures out if she just plays with Max, they’ll both get what they want and have fun. It might be annoying and have a “hidden” agenda, but I think its a good show.
My kids watch all kinds of inappropriate movies (usually action stuff) and I find a lot of the cartoons annoying, but usually the ones made for older kids.
ever watch a kid cartoon and thought “Those two have GOT to be doing something “… bob the builder and wendy? pAleeeese… I want my son to watch something being built and sharing and kindness and all the crap, i dont want him seeing two characters flirting the whole time :D
Terrible 3′s is where I’m at now. My daughter is almost 3.5 and HORRIBLE !! By horrible I mean, spitting, telling me no everytime I tell her to do/or not to do something, hitting the dogs with anything she can find, making “soup” with her juice and food after I’ve told her no…then dumps it everywhere, draws on the the walls and herself, REFUSES to use the potty ( she knows how ), I’ve tried EVERY method under the sun and she wont do it. If she gets told she cant get something at the store, then it’s a screaming fit in front of everyone. I cant even bring her to the park because when it’s time to go, she freaks out …hits me, bites me, screams etc. I have a 7 month old too and right now she’s teething and is very attatched to me so between the two of them, I’m borderline ready to check myself into a mental institution. I dont know what to do anymore!!!
Terrible 3′s is where I’m at now. My daughter is almost 3.5 and HORRIBLE !! By horrible I mean, spitting, telling me no everytime I tell her to do/or not to do something, hitting the dogs with anything she can find, making “soup” with her juice and food after I’ve told her no…then dumps it everywhere, draws on the the walls and herself, REFUSES to use the potty ( she knows how ), I’ve tried EVERY method under the sun and she wont do it. If she gets told she cant get something at the store, then it’s a screaming fit in front of everyone. I cant even bring her to the park because when it’s time to go, she freaks out …hits me, bites me, screams etc. I have a 7 month old too and right now she’s teething and is very attatched to me so between the two of them, I’m borderline ready to check myself into a mental institution. I dont know what to do anymore!!!
Abortion subplot in Grease? Guess I’m about a year late to comment on that comment, but I have watched Grease dozens of times, I’m no spring chicken and I’m far from naive, but I have never noticed an abortion subplot. I had to be told recently why Danny was using the saran wrap and as for the smoking, we would never be able to watch an old movie again. I guess I was too focused on the music.
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Do Max and Ruby even have parents? Do they? My kids dig the superhero movies but they are all PG13. Whatevs, sometimes I just need them occupied so I cave.
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