Your Kids and R-rated Movies
by Jodie Lynn, www.ParentToParent.com

Q: Should I let my sixth-grader go to the movies with her friends? How can I handle the pressure of not letting her see R-rated movies?

It Worked for Me:

Our daughter goes to the movies with her friends during the daytime and only to those rated PG-13. I make sure the ticket is for the approved movie she has requested. All of the parents take turns doing this so we are joined together as a support group. This allows the kids to know we mean business and will stand behind our rating guidelines. --P.B. of Fort Wayne, IN

Let the child know this is not up for discussion. As long as she is living in your house,your rules will be obeyed. Tell her that what her friends' parents do is their own business and is not a concern of your household. -- Patricia Richey of Augusta, Kan.

We use a "mall parent." The mall parent is the parent of one of the kids who stays with them until the tickets are purchased and finds out how long the movie will be. This parent is then free to shop in the mall, go see another movie, or watch the same movie sitting far away from the kids. The mall parent also stays until the last child is picked up. -- Colleen Brownlee in Fort Campbell, Ky.

My mom let me go to the movies with my friends (boys and girls). It was the matinee movies or movies that were showing right before nightfall. If I told her we were going to grab a pizza afterward, then she knew what time to expect me. Most important, my mom trusted me because I never lied to her about going one place and being another. This movie outing depends on the relationship you have built with your child. -- J.W. in Cape Coral, Fla.

If other parents are allowing their children to watch R-rated movies, take a look at the parents and children. Are these people you want her to be associated with? How about having them over to watch movies at your house? Everyone could help choose the movies and prepare inexpensive snacks. You could watch how they react to contents of the movies. Is this a crowd you want her to be around? Don't openly discuss her "group" in a negative way. It puts her on the defensive. Listen to her viewpoint. --Carmel Redmon in Murfreesboro, Tenn.

From Jodie: Unfortunately, many parents aren't concerned with R-rated movies. Real-life situations across the country have sent us a clear message: People get ideas from movies, and kids are the most impressionable. Movies are rated R for a reason: Sex, violence, drugs, nudity, language, etc. Who knows in what way it may effect the thinking of anyone, especially kids? Try to preview the movie first. We must empower our children with more Christian values. Wake up, America, and take a stand for what your kids are feeding their minds.