to think that no, actually, SS wont be interested that DS(3) watched Hellboy?

[Hellboy]

DS (3) loves proper 'boy' films like Spiderman, Transformers, Batman, Starwars etc. He recently watched Hellboy at MILs and apparantly loved it. Ive bought it for him and he has watched it a few times (Ive vetted it and there is one scene that I think might be a bit too grisly for him so I fast forward past this bit). Apart from this one scene to me its no different to Spiderman and all the other 'hero' type films and there is no swearing (apart from a few craps)

My friend (whose DS also watches Spiderman, Batman etc) has said that if DS goes into nursery going on about Hellboy, then they will call SS as its a sign that we are letting him watch inappropriate films as its a horror film (its classed as a PG-13, Spiderman is a 12 so to me there isnt much difference)

I take my lead from DS, and I do think there may be a time when he will be more aware of what goes on in these films (eg. the idea that there is a hell, baddies that want to hurt us etc) so when that time comes I will of course take the lead from him again. But for now he loves the action bits, we have a right laugh together when we watch them and tbh its nice to not have to watch endless Chris and Pui (and we do turn it into a learning experience - what colour is Hellboy, how many baddies can you see etc )

I dont want to start the age old debate of age limits for films etc, we are just talking about the usual films that most of the kids at his nursery have seen. My friend just thinks that me letting DS watch Hellboy is an invite to get SS involved

So, is she being ridiculous and hypocritical? Or am I being too laid back about what SS would get involved in?

Birds - I am a bit confused by your posts, on one hand you seem to be agreeing that age ratings sometimes can be ignored, and in the same post you say that they are based on different factors. And that while you do ignore ratings, its not ok for me to do so in this case, am I reading that right?

Social services won't be interested. But you should be. There is no reason or excuse for letting a 3 year old watch this sort of thing.

Do you think she is getting mixed up with Hellraiser?

Scarlett - that is the scene that I skip past.

And you seem to think that we dont just sit about all day watching films. He is with me for 4 days a week and we might watch one film in that 4 days. So thats approx. 2 hours out of 36.

I don't seem to think that. I haven't given it that much thought. I just maintain that there are better, cheerier, bonnier, happier, nicer, more productive, creative, loving, CHILDHOODY things to be doing with a VERY SMALL CHILD that's all.

Sorry about the shouting...

Hazie - not thought of that, surely she cant think Id let him watch such a shite film as Hellraiser? I mean, Saw or Hostel maybe but Hellraiser?

Seeker - well, there is no reason or excuse for watching any films of any sort really is there?

It's also important to remember that films like Hellboy aren't particularly graphic but things are inferred that only adults will pick up on.

For example my sister (now 40) watched Grease a gazillion times when she was younger and only a couple of years ago realised the reference to a "10cents insurance policy" was to a condom (and she's honestly not simples!).

Out of interest, would everyone condemning the OP say the same about Indiana Jones and Star Wars? Or what about the Bond films - proper family favourites?

And I do those things, we just also watch films sometimes aswell

There is violence in those movies.

IMO 3yos shouldn't be watching these movies because they lack emotional maturity to process them.

Not mentioning the fact that a 3yo might think it's a normal or cool thing to hit and kick like the hero in his favourite movie.

You are doing him a huge disservice IMO. Just because he likes it doesn't mean you shouldn't guide him in his choices.

My (just) 3yo watches Kipper/Dino Train/Fireman Sam etc.

I don't know it's just that I've never heard of Hellboy before and immediately thought of Hellraiser. My judgey pants were well and truly hoiked up!

I would think Bond movies are unsuitable for 3yos, what with all the people being killed in them. FFS.

Ach, well. I don't think anyone is going to persuade you that a 2 hour assault of violence, shouting, torture, a brief vision of hell, etc. etc., is perhaps not quite the best and nicest thing for a little boy barely beyond babyhood to be watching, so I'm not quite sure why you're asking...

To clarify: I adore Hellboy and Iron Man and everything of that ilk, and have a fair collection of the stuff, and could think of nothing nicer than settling down to a fest of mock-violence with, oooo, a ten year old.

Jesus, I can't believe it's necessary even to explain this

I'm going to totter off back to somewhere where the world makes some kind fo sense.

panda I never realised that about the 10cents either! And I'm 42 you learn something new every day....

Hellboy It's not a film (or any of that ilk) that I would consider appropriate for a 3 year old to watch.

Hellboy is rated PG 13 for violence and terrifying images.

Is this a wind up?

tsp- exactly, my 10yo would be fine to watch them. A 3 yo? Barely out of toddlerhood?

SS won't be interested,but I think you're making a poor choice in allowing a three year old to watch such films. I'd treat the rating as just a guide,but even so 3 is too young imho.

I know you said you fast forward a particular scene,but is that the only one you skip? I can think of several scenes that aren't appropriate viewing for a 3 year old,particuarly those involving killing.

PG 13 is a US rating that means anyone can watch the film but under 13s need to be accompanied by an adult to see it at the cinema

PandaWatch, if you think it's ok for a 3yo to watch movies where people harm and kill each other, then really, I can't see what anyone can say to convince you that it is not the case.

Shakey watching Grease as an adult has all sorts of surprises. I went to karaoke recently and we did a Grease medley and I couldn't get over the sauciness of the lyrics which my friends and I used to belt out at the tops of our voices when we were about nine!

Sorry but i'm still laughing at "we turn it into a learning experience"...

I nearly scarred my 4yo dn last summer then. He chose Ghostbusters to watch from the pile of suitable films I left out for him during his 5 day visit.

Nice, friendly family PG rated film, we think, along with King Fu Panda, Monsters vs Aliens and other kids stuff a childless grown woman shouldn't have in her collection - DP's films tend towards the violent and were firmly hidden btw.

Right up until someone says Shit and I think my SIL is going to kill me when I tell her (she's fine about it, and it's fed a huge increase in his imaginary play!)

I missed the learning experience part. The OP can't be serious.

Winny my point is that I don't think the OP should be vilified for doing so. Nor do I think that by letting a child watch a film like this (with the worst bits skipped) or any film where someone dies will turn the child into a deranged adult. People die in Disney cartoons! Should 3yos be banned from watching them too?

Never mind the killing - what about the poor girl who bursts into flames when emotional, killed her family, is sectioned and locked up in a mental institution, with all that that entails, is visited by a villain, then bursts into flame again and burns down the whole hospital in a massive terrifying conflagration killing (we infer) everyone inside? (what?! I did say I was a fan of the film!)

Yeah great learning experience there

Yesterday my husband attended a murder in which a teenaged lad was beaten and stabbed to death by a gang of children (in their mid to late teens - but I would still call them children, really). I don't want to froth and berserk etc, but I do thik that people are getting desensitised to violence - it's all a joke, it's just a came on Call of Duty, it's just something in a violent film like Saw or Hostel. It's like they don't even know what happens when you attack someone because they've seen it voer and over and over in films...

NOTE: I am not FOR ONE MOMENT saying that the OP is setting her child out on that road, but I think there is a bigger picture here to be wary of, that's all. Dear God. There are years and years ahead of children, to read headlines about murder and torture. WHy introduce them to it, before they can barely write their own name?