Too late because I’ve done it. You’ll all tell me I’m a terrible mum! Bridgerton.

[BridgertonBadMum]

Anyone else let their young teens watch Bridgerton with them?

Mine is 13, I’d be kidding myself to pretend she doesn’t know about sex.

She begged me to let her watch the new series as she saw the trailer and it looked so Cinderella-like and she adores history and the costumes. I originally said no as it’s too sexual.

However she works so hard, and we found out this week that she’d won an amazing award through school, and I just thought she’s old enough to work as hard as she does (highly pressured academic school in which she’s thriving - as well as highly achieving in her sport at a national level), more mature than many adults I know, so surely watching it with me there to ensure she knows what’s normal life and what isn’t. How is it any worse than her watching Stranger Things. After all it’s very likely one day she’ll fall in love and have sex - and yet I worry more about her seeing that than seeing violence.

So we’ve both been totally entranced together watching the new episodes. I laugh when she cringes and covers her face during the steamy parts or when I say “he’s got a nice bum”. To have had a couple of hours together last night smiling and keeping everything crossed for a happy ending. It’s been lovely. (Not watched all 4 yet so no spoilers)

I’m awaiting a ton of “you’re a terrible mum” replies. But hoping to be surprised by a couple of people who are in agreement.

Better parenting than trying to shield her from anything sexual and letting social media teach her about it.

Bridgerton sex scenes are at least realistic, especially compared to the porn a lot of teen boys are watching.

Real bodies, real couples, real sex has to be the priority.

I've not seen bridgerton so I can't say but my two youngest are 12 and 10 and have watched all five seasons of stranger things and I'm pretty sure that's a 15 rating

I was about 14 when my parents realised I understood all the innuendo on The Two Ronnies or something and stopped trying to hide stuff from me. They did not, however, watch films with sexual content in front of me (and to be fair this was half a century ago, such films were usually on at midnight!).

What is the point of this thread exactly?
Oh, to tell the world you're a so called cool mum - cringe. But why the aibu exactly? Who cares what you decide to let your kid watch ?

Wait there is a new season of bridgerton?

First half of season 4.

Waterloo Road may be more relatable .

I've not seen any of the new series, but I don't think the ones I've seen are so unsuitable. For example the scene with Colin and Penelope's first time and he's asking her if this is okay and what feels good etc; those are important messages to absorb about sex.

Similarly in season one Daphne's utter ignorance of the mechanics could come up and you could talk about how much better it is for modern Daphne's to know things. And the consent issues that it raises, along with the historical context of it being your job to produce an heir.

It can be so educational she'll wish she'd never asked!

Couldn't agree more!
The costumes are often wrong as well....

I watched Messiah (a rather grim crime drama,) Waking The Dead, Silent Witness and Murder In Mind when I was 12, and CSI when I was 13. I also remember finding The World At War on TV at silly o clock and watching that in primary school, sooo...

I am far more disturbed that you are commenting "he has a nice bum" to a 13 year old whilst watching a sex scene. She's 13, she should not be hearing her mother talk like that - you aren't her peer/friend. You seem to think she is an adult, she is not - no matter how mature you think she is (do you tell her that, she will think that's a good thing to be and will try and be mature to please you).

I was never worried about sex with my two boys, even when they were way too young.

I let them watch ‘Vikings’, which I thought would be a historical drama, when they were young teens!

I was far more worried about violence, to be honest.

I think sex scenes open an opportunity to have a good discussion about what real sex is, and most importantly, what it shouldn’t be.

Far rather watch that kind of stuff together than them accessing it on their or their friends’ devices.

Missing the point of the thread but I’ve never understood the fascination with bums. What is nice about them? Men shit and fart from them. 🤷🏻‍♀️

I think it's fine. There's far worse things she could be watching.

Disturbed? Really?
OP made a tongue in cheek comment obviously designed to make her daughter cringe. Hardly ‘disturbing’.
Fucking hell - reach of the thread.

I think you’re a great mum and it sounds like you are both enjoying watching it together. Your reaction to the steamier scenes is perfect. You know your daughter best and know if she has the maturity to watch something.

My girls are all older, late teens & 20, but if we are all watching something and a sex scene comes on my husband fast forwards it and we all love to keep him going a bit about it

Why comment on the men's bums? Why laugh at her discomfort. Whatever about watching the show together. I watch tv/movies with my 13yo and sometimes there are sex scenes and I know he hates them and it's awkward. So we mainly cringe through it in silence, or on occasion have a discussion about it afterwards, eg, he absolutely couldn't understand why a character in an older movie had a poster of a topless woman in his house. He was disgusted by it, and we had a chat about it.

But I'd definitely not comment on someone having a nice bum or breasts, or the general attractiveness of anyone, as my child doesn't need me to remind him that I'm someone who has sexual feelings. I'd also not laugh at his discomfort as it would make him feel embarrassed for having a normal young teen reaction and make him feel he should strive to outgrow it.

‘Why laugh at her discomfort’

Another 10/10 reach.
Do you never joke to break up cringing in your house? Bloody hell you’d be calling Childline on me.

Actually I think it’s a good thing to show your daughter. All the sex is very ‘positive’ and there is a lot of emphasis on consent and female pleasure.

At that age my DS was being shown porn by other boys on the bus to school. We had serious chats but you can’t pretend they’re not exposed to it.

Yes, I think you’re the best mum ever as your DD is thriving at school, super strong academically, national level at sports AND she’s interested in Bridgerton and is cool enough to deal with sex on screen - you’ve made all the right choices and cultivated all the right interests and basically you’re succeeding as her mother and doing everything right. That’s what you’re looking for, right?

ffs 🙄 I get threads where parents ask beforehand “is this show/movie suitable for my 12yo?” but this is just stupid. What on EARTH does being academically high flying have to do with anything? Is corrupting a child’s mind - which is what you’re asking about - a REWARD for A grades?!

You are being unreasonable to think that anyone cares.

I was watching cocoon and killer clowns when I was in later stages if primary I feel Bridgerton will be much tamer

what a long odd OP about… well, her teenager watching Bridgerton

weird

Has your daughter ever been on a sleepover @BridgertonBadMum ?

At Christmas I absent-mindedly put on Love Actually for something in the background while making mince pies with DS2 (aged 9).

Completely forget about the sex body double scene/couple.Remembered in the nick of time,have never run so fast.