A long time ago (February 22, 2010, to be exact), I posted about my experience watching The Incredible Journey when I was six years old. I had to laugh (and groan and almost cry) this weekend when I showed it to my five-year-old monkey.
To be honest, I zoned out after about the first 30 minutes. (I have an excuse–I was working on a first draft. Honest!) Then the sounds of monkey-sobs penetrated my brain.
I looked up to see… the exact same scene that made me bawl when I was little. Sassy (the cat) plunging over the waterfall.
(Yes, I realize I’m no longer in the running for Mom-of-the-Year. There’s always next year, right?)
There’s really no moral here, except don’t show your cat-loving-and-very-impressionable daughter movies about cats almost-dying. (I tried to explain before the movie that it was all pretend, but obviously that didn’t do any good. Seriously–the little monkey can handle Voldemort and the trolls in The Chamber of Secrets, but not The Incredible Journey. Ugh.)
On a completely unrelated side note, I also managed to read two phenomenal historical novels in the last week. If you’re looking for a good read, I highly recommend Michelle Moran’s The Second Empress (about Napoleon’s court) and Erika Robuck’s Hemingway’s Girl (about Hemingway during his Key West days).
What about you? Any scarred children or book recommendations you’d like to tell about?
I scar my children daily — at least that's what they'd let you believe. I remember the Incredible Journey – watched it at school right before getting out for Thanksgiving break…it was awesome!
That poor girl. She probably had nightmares. Lol
Since my children are older, I'm not sure what I may have done to them in the past. My son does have a fear of spiders and lizards for some reason. Lol
Nope, I'm the perfect mother. I've got so many of those Mother of the Year awards taking up space…Ha!
I suspect I freaked my son out by making him watch The Wizard of Oz when he was too young. I dressed up as a witch for Halloween that year and he about had a nervous breakdown. He was maybe five. Didn't like it at all. Made me take it off. Scared the crap out of him.
I will add those to my list. I've been craving historical lately. I finished The Night Circus yesterday and it definitely lived up to all the hype.
My students had their first math test today and I'm pretty sure I scarred a few of them so you're not alone.
I cry at ALL of those movies too – even still as an adult. Thankfully my kids grew up a little tougher.
Vicki–If they're showing The Incredible Journey at school I don't feel so bad. Then she would have been bawling in public!
Miranda–So I guess if my daughter has a fear of waterfalls I know who to blame. One more thing to add to the list!
L.G.- Can you send one of those awards my way? Just scratch your name off and we'll call it good. 😉
Jade–I have a copy of The Night Circus, but I haven't managed to read it yet. So many books, so little time!
Jemi–I didn't cry in The Incredible Journey, but I cry in movies like Harry Potter. 'Cause I'm cool like that.
Ooh I love your new profile pic!
My 6-year-old hides when Voldemort comes on screen, so we'll avoid The Incredible Journey. And yet he still loves those movies (1-4 only for now). I cry every time at the end of the 4th Harry Potter. My boys don't. Oh well.
-Vicki
All part of the experience I guess. Just look at Bambi;)
HAHAHA! Like mother, like daughter. I don't know what movies I won't be able to show my future kids, because I cry at EVERYTHING. So hopefully they'll be tougher than me.
My mother scarred me with Pokey Little Puppy. To this day when anyone says the title of the book I die a little on the inside, I swear I do.