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AIBU?

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Original poster

to think 14 is too old to be obsessed with Matilda?

176 replies

SamuelsSheep · 29/07/2023 10:34

Just want to say, I've never said this to her but just asking if 14 seems a bit old to be obsessed with the new Matilda movie? Was watched twice yesterday and it's already back on again this morning?

It is good and I liked it, so I'm not saying it can't be enjoyed by an older audience, but to be obsessed?

OP posts:
HairyMcHairyFace · 29/07/2023 10:37

YABU to judge. All teenagers go through obsessions and Matilda is harmless.

Diddykong · 29/07/2023 10:37

14 is a tricky age. I remember becoming obsessed with childhood things like Pokémon around that she because it was comforting when school friendships had turned nasty. Cut them some slack.

BabyofMine · 29/07/2023 10:38

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Original poster
SamuelsSheep · 29/07/2023 10:39

@BabyofMine I definitely didn't call her weird and nor do I think that and never would

OP posts:
Chanhedforthis · 29/07/2023 10:40

When I turned 15 i bought myself a baby anabelle doll. I never had one growing up and pretended it was for someone else.

I enjoyed 'looking after it' for a few months before growing out of it.

I also watched the Pokemon movie about twice a day, it was comforting.

Ive turned out fine.

Nagado · 29/07/2023 10:40

If Matilda is what she’s obsessed with, I think you should be thanking your lucky stars that it’s something so innocent and harmless. There are many, many more dangerous things for a 14 year old girl to be interested in.

Sugarfish · 29/07/2023 10:41

I don’t think it matters? She likes it so wants to watch it. I’m a bit like that with musicals. I’m sure you have songs or albums you’ve repeatedly listened to. Maybe she just really likes the songs? Get her the soundtrack to listen to with headphones if it’s bothering you.

GameOverBoys · 29/07/2023 10:41

I used to love Toy Story at that age. I had the toys too.

jeaux90 · 29/07/2023 10:42

Don't be daft OP my DD14 loves it too.

BabyofMine · 29/07/2023 10:43

SamuelsSheep · 29/07/2023 10:39

@BabyofMine I definitely didn't call her weird and nor do I think that and never would

Well you obviously don’t think it’s normal? 🤷🏼‍♀️

RitzyMcFitzy · 29/07/2023 10:43

Sounds pretty wholesome to me. Lots of us (of all ages) can fixate ion things, I can do it with music listening to the same song obsessively for days. It's no biggie.

Weflewinstyle · 29/07/2023 10:43

Let me guess… step daughter?

Op I am supposing you are an adult. And so my view is that you are “too old” to be navel gazing about this.

whoever she is, leave this poor girl alone

Original poster
SamuelsSheep · 29/07/2023 10:44

@Weflewinstyle erm, no? She is my biological daughter, what relevance is that?

I'm literally just asking if that's usual, you're acting like I'm being nasty about her.

OP posts:
ElizabethBest · 29/07/2023 10:45

I’m 40. I absolutely love Matilda the Musical. It’s a fantastic piece of musical theatre with a strong, intelligent female lead.

People often rewatch and reread things for comfort during times of stress - at 14, there’s hormones to account for, the start of the holidays after a challenging school year - if she wants to watch Matilda, bloody let her. The weird thing is judging it!

AnnaMagnani · 29/07/2023 10:46

Around 14, my friends and I would get completely obsessed with films and watch them over and over. I feel sorry for my parents who would get treated to Amadeus at any possible opportunity.

Emmamoo89 · 29/07/2023 10:47

Yabu

Ohmylovejune · 29/07/2023 10:47

My husband loves Jungle Book. He's over 50!

BabyofMine · 29/07/2023 10:48

SamuelsSheep · 29/07/2023 10:44

@Weflewinstyle erm, no? She is my biological daughter, what relevance is that?

I'm literally just asking if that's usual, you're acting like I'm being nasty about her.

I genuinely don’t understand why you are questioning a very, very normal thing, but to be clear, it’s very, very normal. Nothing odd at all.

Perhaps you’re seeing this in a different context you haven’t fully explained? Are you worried about her being on the spectrum, or having some sort of obsessive compulsive issue or something?! Cos I’m really finding it hard to understand “is my child strange for liking things aimed at children?”

Cma1988 · 29/07/2023 10:48

its normal for 14th at olds to have an “obsession” with a film and watch it over and over multiple times a day and then get bored of it and not watch it again for a few months. What are you worried about? What does her age have to do with it? Even as an adult I think it’s a cracking film and I watch it without the kids.

WandaWonder · 29/07/2023 10:49

If an obsession is causing harm I think parents need to step in if not what business is it of yours?

Just because we are parents doesn't mean we can control everything, again if not actually harmful

aSofaNearYou · 29/07/2023 10:52

When I was about 16 I briefly became really into watching The Lion King, watched it twice in a day once. I'm a perfectly normal adult now, it was just a bit of fun.

I wouldn't worry about it unless you think she's otherwise very childish for her age.

watcherintherye · 29/07/2023 10:53

I’ve never seen it, but if the cast are around her age, and if she’s anything like I was at a similar age, I reckon she’s imagining herself as a cast member! Prob knows all the songs and dance moves off by heart.
Does she do any dance/drama groups? If not, maybe she’d like to, if she’s into musicals/musical theatre?

JaninaDuszejko · 29/07/2023 10:53

Both my 14 &15yo DDs love Matilda and have watched it multiple times recently. So completely normal as far as I'm concerned.

MullerInk · 29/07/2023 10:55

Some people just like watching the same thing. I always had obsessions since I was a teenager and have only recently at 32 grown out of it. I can almost categorise time periods in my life by what was my obsession at the time.

RegainingTheWill2023 · 29/07/2023 10:55

It's quite an odd thing to raise as an "issue". What is your concern about her being "too old" ?

There are many reasons she may be watching repeatedly

1 she really likes the film and the music is fantastic!

2 she's wanting to put a 'pause' on what's going on in her mind. 14 is tough and she may have found a really healthy way of stopping obsessing over absolutely typical 'teen' thoughts/worries/ etc. about school, friends, study, her future etc. Matilda is way better than endless tiktoks

  1. Possibly there's something she's worried about beyond the run of the mill but for gods sake dont go in heavy handed in asking if "somethings wrong because I've noticed you watching Matilda lots"