friend thinks I am a bad mother for letting my dd8 watch 'Grave of the Fireflies' because she cried.

[aroyalewithcheese]

Yes it's a terribly sad film.

But I also think its good for a child to understand the consequences of war and it is a cartoon for children.

And no 8 year old fully appreciates the horrors of war and nor should they

I am sorry ginger I disagree with you I think the sooner children realise that the world is not all sweetness and light the better they are able to protect themselves. But as I said it depends on the child mine is very mature and does understand the realities of this.

My DD only watch certain parts of Schindler's list and under my direct supervision.

How does a child of 8 protect themselves from war! Never heard anything so ridiculous in my life

I don't sheild my children from the world, we read books about what has gone on in the world, we read bits of the paper together about what is going on, I don't think them seeing the realities on screen is helpful at all. Once you have that image in your head you can never get rid of it even if it is an animation.

I wouldn't let my 8yo watch that film, tbh I wouldn't let my 11yo watch it either, there is no need for a child to see it, it serves no purpose other than to upset imo. I would treat that film as a 15.

I wouldn't. I've just watched it with dd, 12 and she was sobbing by the end.

It's desperately sad. I don't believe in sheltering my kids from the realities of history at all - I've taken them to visit concentration camps, and told them some basic facts, when the dts were only 5. However, this is deeply emotional and likely to really upset them. My dts are 7 and I know they would find it harrowing, and I think they need to know more about the wider history of wwII before really understanding this film.

I wouldn't let my 7.5 year old watch something like that, but it's up to each parent. I think they should learn about things slowly in an age appropriate way, and so be protected from some things they are not ready for. Most parents are pretty good at judging this though, so I'm not criticising the OP.

No you're not a bad mother. I used to watch all sorts of films when I was quite young. As far as I am aware,I haven't been emotionally scarred by any of them.