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AIBU?

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Original poster

Toddlers - Disney movies - Please vote

248 replies

Frozenprincess · 27/03/2023 14:24

NC for this - I am fuming!

So, I have a DS that goes to a gymnastics class for 3-4 year olds with parents present.

The instructor asked the kids last time who is the princess that likes snow and some kids replied “Elsa” . Then the instructor asked “And what Elsa does to things with the snow? They make them…” and then she expected the kids to say “Freeze”. She did all of that to teach them how to “freeze” and stop moving.

My point is that Frozen and many other Disney movies are not recommended by Disney to be watched by kids less than 5 years old and they should be watched with parental supervision up until 8 years old as there are some upsetting scenes.

For this reason our 3 year old DS has never watched Frozen, Moana etc. He just watched Peppa Pig, Bluey, Paw Patrol, Hollie & Ben etc.

Was it appropriate for the instructor to expect the 3 year olds kids to have watched Disney movies in order to participate in the class?

I honestly felt so sorry for our DS during the class! He is a very reserved and shy boy when in public and this whole thing just made it all even worse.

What do you all think?

YABU - Frozen is fine for 3 year olds
YANBU - Frozen is not fine until 5 year old as advised by Disney

OP posts:
Original poster
Frozenprincess · 27/03/2023 14:46

Ok “fuming” is a bit too much as a word and of course I didn’t mention anything to the instructor.

Also, my son doesn’t even know that Frozen, Elsa and all the snow thing even exist! How would he if we have never watched it at home?

It is surprising that most of you say “YABU” while the advice for that young kids is not to watch Disney movies, but it’s good to know what other parents do.

Of course, songs are great, the movie and screen time and upsetting scenes is what has worried me.

OP posts:
Basilthymerosemary · 27/03/2023 14:47

YABU my toddler loves Disney, including frozen, encanto, coco and moana and he can sing all the lyrics.

Disney is great for that age group.

NeverApologiseNeverExplain · 27/03/2023 14:48

See my post above about extracts, which crossed with this. My son doesn’t have any older siblings either, and he also had the full diet of nursery rhymes at a similar age to your son. But we watched Disney song clips as well because I liked the songs and wanted him to hear them. Nursery rhyme animation tends to be a bit crap too, I thought it would be nice for him to see better quality things.

ImAGoodPerson · 27/03/2023 14:48

Frozenprincess · 27/03/2023 14:41

I am real!

My son will turn 3 years old this week actually. He is just about 3, not close to 4 and a bit speech delayed and bilingual.

I don’t know any frozen songs, we have only been to two birthday parties (they only two friends from nursery had) and there was no frozen music to none of them.

I don’t have any older kids and so he doesn’t have any bigger siblings to get exposed to things that are bot age appropriate.

He sings things like twinkle twinkle little star and incy wincy spider.

Is this not normal for a just about 3 year old?

No, that is normal for a child age 1-2 perhaps, age 2 plus is probably key Disney film age IME. I ran a pre school so have met many many pre schoolers.

Heronwatcher · 27/03/2023 14:48

Fuming 😂 Seriously OP this is incredibly normal! Why would you fume? It’s a useful prompt for you to think about parenting choices. Most kids’ peak Disney is between about 3-6, I’ve literally been to about 30 frozen parties for 3/4 ye olds and my DD was completely over frozen by 5!
Why don’t you watch it, literally the only things I can think of which might be scary could be the shipwreck (which is very subtle), marshmallow monster and there’s a couple of bits where someone waves a sword about. And my 3 yr old didn’t really register those bits at all.

RicciardoPerez · 27/03/2023 14:49

Hahahahaha!! Good one OP! Needed that laugh..!! Oh.. wait? You're NOT joking? Oh lord!!!

ImAGoodPerson · 27/03/2023 14:49

I have literally never heard of Disney films being for over 5s.

yogaretreat · 27/03/2023 14:49

If this is what makes you fuming I'd say you are very fortunate with your life.

Also moana is a lovely story with great songs.

GoodChat · 27/03/2023 14:49

@Frozenprincess does he attend any childcare setting?

GoodChat · 27/03/2023 14:50

GoodChat · 27/03/2023 14:49

@Frozenprincess does he attend any childcare setting?

Sorry just seen he goes to nursery. He'll know about a lot more than you realise, honestly.

TrainersAltonTowersWontKill · 27/03/2023 14:51

I think you should let it go.

NeverApologiseNeverExplain · 27/03/2023 14:52

Of course, songs are great, the movie and screen time and upsetting scenes is what has worried me.

The songs are all there on You Tube to watch without any of the stuff that worries you. (I agree the whole movies are indeed too much at that age)

Newuser82 · 27/03/2023 14:52

Can I ask where you have seen the advice that Disney films aren't suitable for younger kids? I've literally never heard this before.

Phos · 27/03/2023 14:52

YABU to be fuming, seriously what an overreaction.

Besides which loads of kids younger than 3 watch Disney movies, no idea where you've got the 5yo age limit from and even if they haven't, a lot of the time they'll be around kids who have or hear enough about it they will be aware of it. My daughter isn't really interested in Disney (thank god) but at that age would definitely have known who Elsa was and what she did.

It also sounds like this was a very small part of the class, teaching them to freeze. Hardly stopping someone from participating completely.

Tiani4 · 27/03/2023 14:53

Yabu

Erm ... all my DCs watched Disney and Pixar movies from early on . You can't shield them from innocuous children's fairytale stories until the year of or after they enter primary school !!

I don't think watching Frozen will corrupt your toddler in any way.

I could understand that watching Finding Nemo when mum dies at start or Bambi might upset a 2 year old child but you know they aren't graphic ...

Children have been brought up for years on fairy tales, you know witches eating children for food in their gingerbread houses, wicked step mothers, a magical bad elf like creature wanting first born baby, a wolf eating a granny.... Grimm has a lot to answer for but children love it!

I hate to say this but as a parent of 3 DCs, you're being PFB about your preschooler . They may love Frozen! Mine did

He has a whole world of delight to watch in Pixar and Disney movies for children

Of course it's entirely up to you what you let your DS watch. But I'd be side eyeing you if I overheard you raising a complaint in anger with dance teacher about your sim never having watched Frozen as you think it inappropriate for 3-4 year olds!!

quietnightmare · 27/03/2023 14:54

GoodChat · 27/03/2023 14:30

Peppa Pig's a right snotty little bitch. You're better off with him watching Frozen.

Exactly. Pepper pig is not a good role model. She is up there with Horrid Henry

greatchatter · 27/03/2023 14:55

Yep, most Disney movies are five and over. I was always surprised when dc's peers were/are into things that weren't recommended for their age. As proven by this thread, most parents
don't care apparently.
You know your child and you chose what is appropriate for them - don't feel pressured (or surprised) by what is popular.

ImAGoodPerson · 27/03/2023 14:56

My DS watched Peter Pan all the time at 2 yo, he loved it so much and dressed up as it all the time.

blubberball · 27/03/2023 14:56

Maybe read him the story books if you're not comfortable with him watching the films.

Imo, the films are fine. Disney market dress up clothes and merchandise to children under 5, so I think it's fine.

CupEmpty · 27/03/2023 14:56

I have a 2.5 yo and she’s not really watched Disney as she’s not interested- she doesn’t have the attention span to sit through a film. And princesses are boring 🤣

however I wouldn’t care in the slightest if she was asked about it, or if she watched it at a friends house etc. one of her friends had a moana themed 3rd bday party with it on in the background. Seriously you do need to unclench and I’d say you are very privileged if this is the sort of stuff you worry about.

Turnipworkharder · 27/03/2023 14:58

TrainersAltonTowersWontKill · 27/03/2023 14:51

I think you should let it go.

Clever 😉

ImAGoodPerson · 27/03/2023 14:58

greatchatter · 27/03/2023 14:55

Yep, most Disney movies are five and over. I was always surprised when dc's peers were/are into things that weren't recommended for their age. As proven by this thread, most parents
don't care apparently.
You know your child and you chose what is appropriate for them - don't feel pressured (or surprised) by what is popular.

Says who? We watched everything first that our DCs watched, there is nothing inappropriate for them at all. Totally ridiculous. They didn't watch IT or Nightmare on Elm Street till at least Y1 🙄

InTheFutilityRoomEatingBiscuits · 27/03/2023 14:58

I have a video of one of mine aged around 17 months who was only really starting to do full sentences in everyday life, singing the entire of let it go word perfectly and doing snow shooting actions.

That was a pretty good thing for speech development I’d have thought.

They could also sing wind the bobbin up so their innocence was not entirely shattered.

Original poster
Frozenprincess · 27/03/2023 14:58

Whoever asked this is what Google comes up with when you ask for what age group the movie is appropriate for.

Toddlers - Disney movies - Please vote
OP posts:
neverknowinglyunreasonable · 27/03/2023 15:00

This is sickening. I wouldn't be going back to that class and I wouldn't blame you if you got the police involved. I suggest writing to your local MP so they are aware of what is happening.