Anxiety watch films/TV

[MA75]

Hi. I'm new to mumsnet and hoping for some advice.

My 7 year old daughter refuses to watch films at the cinema or at home. Yesterday I put the film HOME on and she spent the whole time crying, shaking and sucking her fingers. When I asked why she was like this she said she didn't know but could I turn it off as she didn't want to watch it. This happens with most films we watch except Frozen, Disney Princess and Barbie films. When she has been at my Mum's she has had a meltdown over the animated Peter Rabbit series.

This behaviour has been going on for about 4 years now and other than not watching any films or being careful of what children's programmes we watch I'm at a loss what to do.

Has/is there anyone else who has been or going through the same thing with their children?

Thanks

Presumably she attends school; Yr1 or Yr2 maybe?

If she is coping all right with school, and is learning the basics of reading, writing and numeracy, and is able to access other subjects, activities and has adequate social skills, then surely there is no valid reason why she should HAVE to watch any film or programme if she does not want to!

I have never watched Coronation Street or East Enders, nor have I ever watched a football match, live or on TV. However, I do like Doctor Who, The Walking Dead, Horizon, Gardeners' World, and currently Springwatch.

I was a (male) TA in primary schools for twenty years, and many children do have inexplicable tastes and fears. In your case, perhaps four years ago she was disturbed by something she saw, that is still haunting her. Concentrate on things that she DOES enjoy, and please don't make her endure things that upset her.

Yes, she is in Yr 2 and copes well at school. She had aways been advanced both educationally and socially so I know neither of these areas are an issue, however she would rather spend time talking to adults/teaching staff than her classmates. Her closest friends tend to be 2 or 3 years older than her as listening to their conversations they have more in common.

She does, also put a huge amount of pressure on herself to get things right. Today so was doing some homework and everytime she made a mistake which she spotted straight away she had a mini meltdown about it. We try to reassure her the best we can but this doesn't help either.

I have always been very careful with what they watch and ensure that they do not see or hear anything inappropriate so I don't think anything happened 4 years ago.

Our youngest wanted to watch the film hence why we had it on. One of us offered to leave the room with her to do something else but she wouldn't move!

No real advice but my 5 year old DD is also terrified of Peter Rabbit. Both DCs have disliked Disney films that involve 'peril' of any kind. DD does not like Tangled or Frozen.

I think they are just sensitive! I'm similar and don't like any sort of emotional films. Cant handle high drama!

DD and I also both find films in the cinema overwhelming - too loud!

She sounds exactly like my daughter who's also 7. Cries through just about every Disney cartoon and prefers cartoons aimed at younger kids such as max and ruby, peppa, little bear etc.
And she's the same with homework. It's like its a total disaster has occurred!
Reading Elaine Aron's 'The Highly Sensitive Child' has helped me.