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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to let DD watch Friends?

56 replies

Joolsy · 02/10/2015 19:28

An old episode was on TV the other day so DD (12) watched it with me. We have now aquired the complete 10 series on DVD but have realised there's quite a bit of innuendo & sexual talk, eg. Chandler complaining he can't 'perform' in the bedroom, Rachel talking about when Ross slept with someone else. Is she too young to be hearing this sort of thing? I'm probably being silly - she's pretty innocent but I've no clue what she talks about with her friends when I'm not around. Thanks in advance

OP posts:
Sparklingbrook · 02/10/2015 20:12

Oh no the adoption lady has come to visit Chandler and Monica. Turns out to be one of Joey's ex's. Hmm

turningvioletviolet · 02/10/2015 20:16

I saw Grease aged 9. Every single line of innuendo went over my head. I thought the mooning scene was the only rude thing in the whole film. If i survived Grease unsullied, I think your dd will cope with Friends.

Bakeoffcake · 02/10/2015 20:17

My DD's watched Absolutely Fanulous when they were still at Primary schoolShock
They loved it and the innuendo went right over their heads. They just didn't understand things eg the programme refer to "coke" quite a bit, my DDs thought they were talking about the drink and as I wouldn't let them drink it- it all kind of made sense to themGrin

I will add they didn't watch very mush telly but loved, Ab Fab and Only Fools and Horses on video (yes I am old).

Janeymoo50 · 02/10/2015 20:24

I think she could be watching a lot worse to be fair!

SurlyCue · 02/10/2015 20:29

the programme refer to "coke" quite a bit,

Shock i used to watch this all the time and i never realised there were coke references! Blush

Theimpossiblegirl · 02/10/2015 20:39

I watch it with my girls and I hadn't realised just how grown up it was! There is a lot of sex-talk in Friends. But at 12, it's a good way to open discussion and a nice bonding opportunity.

YakTriangle · 02/10/2015 20:46

12 is old enough for Friends. It's a crappy programme but I liked it when I was only a little older than that. She'll understand most of it and if some of it goes over her head, that's not a problem.

TeamBacon · 02/10/2015 20:48

DD has seen a lot of Friends, she's 8. Not my finest parenting, as I'd forgotten about a lot of the rude bits as usually watched the clean version on E4. Innuendo totally went over her head, and other bits sparked interesting conversations.

Original poster
Joolsy · 02/10/2015 20:58

Thanks everyone. We're really enjoying watching it together. DD absolutely loves it and we are getting through about 3 episodes a day! I'd forgotten just how totally brilliant it is. I can't believe I've survived 10 years without it!

OP posts:
LittleRedSparke · 02/10/2015 21:12

where are the coke references.....???? i missed them

Bakeoffcake · 02/10/2015 21:33

Coke references were in Absolutely Fabulous LittleRed.

PiperChapstick · 02/10/2015 23:50

Hmm I'm torn. The problem with friends is that it has undertones of sexism and I hate that it normalises pornography, and as a pp stated gives a warped view of relationships. Perhaps watch some episodes with her and talk about things of concern that you pick up?

VimFuego101 · 02/10/2015 23:55

I wouldnt have a problem with any of the innuendo really, but it took MN to make me realize how controlling and annoying Ross was. Imagine if someone posted in AIBU about him...

SagaNorensLeatherTrousers · 03/10/2015 00:01

I started watching it about her age and I can't remember ever being shocked by the sex bits tbh. Think most of it went over my head.

Junosmum · 03/10/2015 00:39

I watched it from the start when it was on tv the first time, I was 10, it either went over my head or I laughed. It's not a post watershed program.

LittleRedSparke · 03/10/2015 09:55

Ah AbFab - i used to love that - the original ones were so funny... But i wouldnt think it is suitable for a child, 14+ should be ok (in my view)

MrsGentlyBenevolent · 03/10/2015 10:03

Why would it be an issue at 12? As a 90's child, I was watching it from early childhood, did not harm - along with Ab Fab, Blackadder and Red Dwarf. Also enjoyed Fraiser, but most of it went over my head as a child (I liked the posh way they spoke Blush). Goodness, South Park started when I was 11/12, I used to watch that late at night on my little tv that hardly worked, the good old days Grin.

TeamScoutRifle · 03/10/2015 10:04

It's just a tv programme to entertain you for fucks sake. It's not meant to be taken seriously. If you haven't taught your kids this already then you are crap at parenting. My kids know not to believe everything they see on tv.

Sparklingbrook · 03/10/2015 10:08

Blimey Team. Did you get out of the wrong side of bed this morning?

MrsGentlyBenevolent · 03/10/2015 10:11

Wow, Team, who peed on your Weetabix this morning Hmm. You have very strange ideas about being a 'crap' parent - yes some are overly wary about what their kids watch/eat/breath, but you have no right to judge someone's ability to parent on such a trivial thing. Do your kids also know not to throw insults around for absolutely no reason?

StillStayingClassySanDiego · 03/10/2015 10:12

Sparkling right there ^ is why AIBU has gone to the dogs Grin.

Complete over reaction Team , do some Yoga or breathing techniques and relax Wink.

Narp · 03/10/2015 10:13

I watched the whole thing with DS2 (12) a few weeks ago. We both loved it, but it's interesting how many references to porn there are. That was a good excuse to initiate a discussion about porn.

DS2 and I watch a fair bit of TV together, and side he's not really into face-to-face talking, we've discussed a fair bit over the years about issues such as bullying and relationships

Narp · 03/10/2015 10:14

'side' should have read 'since'

Bambambini · 03/10/2015 10:14

I used to sit with my parents and watched The World At War when I was really young - talk about harrowing! At least Friends wouldn't have given me nightmares (apart from Phoebe's singing). My kids have caught some episodes of Friends from around 8yrs old and they laughed away.

Watched a bit of The Waltons the other night, first time in many years. I'd have to tie my kids down to watch that these days.

blibblobblub · 03/10/2015 10:15

My friends and I started watching it when we were still in primary school (Y6). I'm sure she'll be fine.

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