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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

AIBU to let mainly 12 year olds and a single 13 year old watch dirty dancing

166 replies

Wills · 16/11/2022 19:16

Last year (around now) we moved our daughter to private school due to the lack of dealing with continuous bullying (I'm happy to give the back story but not only is it not the point of the thread, but OMG it's worth another thread so be careful what you ask for). For those who bemoan parents sending their kids to private - actually it did alright for the first 2 but failed the 2nd 2.

Needed to say that because MN is notorious for those who attack.

I've got 7 12 to 13 year olds (that's 6 girls and 1 boy) coming to my house this coming weekend to watch a film. I'd love it to be a film they've never seen before. PLEASE could I have suggestions. My daughter has seen Legally blonde, both Princess diaries, Wild child (best tween film ever! In my humble opinion)), Mean girls (not watched but am told is good and not age inappropriate), Clueless (also not watched personally but my older two girls felt it would be age appropriate for her). Others have suggested dirty dancing and said that at 12-13 the abortion bit would go over their head. Ummm no. I can't take the risk. My youngest is the only child we've sent to private. It's both wonderfully naive and a mix of (you're never going to survive unless you grow up etc). The key thing is that given that most of these kids are trying their hardest to still believe in Father Christmas despite overwhelming evidence to the contrary.... What the hell do I show them that won't upset the other parents. I'm out of my league here. They've had all their children at private school from the start. Most of them are great. But the last thing I need is a controversy. Sorry - am possibly over worrying. BUT please give film suggestions!!!!

OP posts:
Crimsonripple · 16/11/2022 19:34

DD is hardly that risqué!

Paq · 16/11/2022 19:34

Ferris Bueller.
10 Things I Hate About You
Hunger Games

Robots1Humans0 · 16/11/2022 19:34

Freaky Friday?

Canuckduck · 16/11/2022 19:34

Me and my sister watched Dirty Dancing every single day one summer when we were 11 & 13. For 2 months. And swam. Aaahhh the 90’s.

My girl lives Mean Girls, Pitch Perfect and Stranger Things. She’s 13 but does not go to private school!!!

TheaBrandt · 16/11/2022 19:35

Whip It! Great film one mild loving sex scene very cool about girls roller derby mine loved it

minipie · 16/11/2022 19:35

I think Dirty Dancing would be too dated as well as having the abortion story

Freaky Friday
Ferris Bueller
Hunger Games (possibly a bit serious)
Enola Holmes
American Pie

I think you’re overthinking the private school thing. Full day activities absolutely not expected. They are 12/13, they are coming to watch a film and mooch about. And eat snacks.

Wirralwifey · 16/11/2022 19:35

So you’ve got 7 kids from the local comp coming round? Or do I have that wrong? 😂

Flamingogirl08 · 16/11/2022 19:35

Wow very sheltered kids if you're worried about Dirty Dancing at 13!

Zuno · 16/11/2022 19:36

Turner and Hooch?
Dumb and Dumber?
mra doubtfire
meangirls

Abcdefu · 16/11/2022 19:37

Grease?

Christmas film,?

Let them flick Netflix

LeafHunter · 16/11/2022 19:37

Cool Runnings.

notforonesecond · 16/11/2022 19:37

Baffled by all the private school stuff, not sure what that’s got to do with choosing a film for kids.

But 10 Things I Hate About You gets my vote.

LBFseBrom · 16/11/2022 19:38

Dirty Dancing is great and quite suitable for their ages, so is Bend it Like Beckham.
I always feel good after seeing both.

WallaceinAnderland · 16/11/2022 19:38

Let them get on with it and chose their own. They will talk all the way through it anyway.

Hankunamatata · 16/11/2022 19:38

Twilight - though prob not trendy anymore

KnickerlessParsons · 16/11/2022 19:39

How about Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy? My DDs loved it at about that age.

FettleOfKish · 16/11/2022 19:39

Absolutely no idea what any of this has to do with it being a private school, but we were talking about our favourite teen movies just today.

10 Things I Hate About You
Clueless
She's All That
Baz Luhrmans Romeo & Juliet
Never Been Kissed
Ferris Bueller
My Girl

I used to love Bring It On but I watched it recently and can see why it's not available to stream anywhere, homophobic and racist undertones all over the place Confused

devildeepbluesea · 16/11/2022 19:40

Girls Just Want To Have Fun. A very young Sarah Jessica Parker, fairly innocuous sex-wise, dance competition and a brilliant Helen Hunt as supporting actress.

Sandysandwich · 16/11/2022 19:41

Whip it
Dumplin'
Nick and Norahs infinite playlist
Juno
The perks of being a wallflower
Heathers
Booksmart
Aquamarine
St trininans

Notimeforaname · 16/11/2022 19:41

Dirty Dancing is fine for their age.

Hankunamatata · 16/11/2022 19:41

Tall Girl on Netflix is quite good
School for Good and Evil

Dailymash · 16/11/2022 19:41

Oh! Speaking of a young SJP - Flight of the Navigator! Maybe a bit too young though?

Cheeeeislifenow · 16/11/2022 19:42

Did someone uptrend say American pie?? WTF don't show them that!
I think dirty dancing is dated, likely hood is they might get the opening ten mins but then start chatting no matter what they watch!.

Also is it private school? 🤣🤣🤣

Cheeeeislifenow · 16/11/2022 19:42

What about devil wears prada?

EarringsandLipstick · 16/11/2022 19:43

Flamingogirl08 · 16/11/2022 19:35

Wow very sheltered kids if you're worried about Dirty Dancing at 13!

Not at all. There are really problematic themes around consent, control & age differences, not to mention the abortion storyline.

I watched with my DD around that age, and I love it still, but I did interject with some commentary about the above themes, so wouldn't have shown it to a group for sure.