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DD15 is watching My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic

91 replies

sharonruth1982 · 15/09/2020 22:03

DD 15 (year 11) has started watching MLP again. She watched it when she was 5-9, and started watching it again a year or so ago, then stopped watching or mentioning about it up until recently.

I don’t have a problem with her watching the show (why would I?), and I know that lots of older people love the show, but it’s not entirely ‘normal’ for a bright girl her age to start to watch that kind of show (though I’m not entirely sure what teens these days actually watch ahaha). She watches a lot of cartoons and anime (though the anime are a lot more mature than the cartoons), but her taste in TV is pretty diverse.

Do you think I should ask her about it? She seems to just enjoy the show, but I’m wondering if, maybe, she’s watching it to try not to grow up, and she might need to talk.

(Sorry; this probably makes me sound stupid and overly anxious LOL)

OP posts:
DancingQueen12 · 15/09/2020 22:15

There’s not really any harm in it though, is there? My DS14 regularly watches pokemon and my DD16 has started watching Avatar:The Last Airbender along with She-Ra and I don’t really see anything wrong with it. I think they find it comforting and a bit like a safety blanket, if you like. Real life can be messy and I think they’re starting to realise that so turn to ‘childish’ tv shows to escape and maybe re-experience their childhood innocence. Some tv shows for teens are so dark that I don’t really blame my DCs for wanting to watch something a bit more lighthearted. Your DD may be having some concerns about growing up and if you’re genuinely worried than just have a conversation with her, but try not to make it about the tv show. Maybe just ask her how she feels about her future and let the conversation progress from there.

Napqueen1234 · 15/09/2020 22:19

You’ve reminded me when I was at secondary school I had a tv in my bedroom. Every morning at 6am I would watch ‘out of the box’ a programme aimed at 3/4 year olds (blues clues/sesame street type thing). I found it so weirdly comforting to watch. I’m a normal well adjusted adult don’t worry!

SecretOfChange · 15/09/2020 22:21

I would be suspicious too. What are her current interests? Is she on social media? Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, Pinterest? Any public posts? I'd be checking for goth and nazi themes. Anime and goth often go hand in hand. If you ask directly you probably won't get far so I wouldn't. I would keep an eye more closely on what's going on in her life, what she's watching, who she's mixing with etc. Stay positive, non-judgemental and supportive. Just going back to childhood memories is rather unlikely in my view, I've never seen a teenager do that!

SleepingStandingUp · 15/09/2020 22:22

It sounds like a bit of escapism. I'd check in with her generally but don't mention the MLP incase she feels shamed by it.

EternalBeloved · 15/09/2020 22:22

My eldest (13 next month) has little moments where she reverts back to watching something she used to love years ago, I find it very wholesome and cute. Thankful shes not trying to grow up too fast! I'd maybe have a chat with her casually just to be completely sure she's fine, but imo its probably more normal than you think :)

SecretOfChange · 15/09/2020 22:23

I wouldn't be suspicious about Pokemon or She-Ra but Hello Kitty and My Little Pony are popular in goth subculture so I'd want to rule that out.

SleepingStandingUp · 15/09/2020 22:24

I'd be checking for goth and nazi themes. Anime and goth often go hand in hand
There's nothing wrong with being a goth.
How does being a goth link to MLP?
How does goth or MLP link to Nazis?

EternalBeloved · 15/09/2020 22:24

I will add actually, I caught her watching Dora the Explorer one night, asked her about it and it turned out she was on facetime with her friend and they were just flaming it for being 'ridiculous' Shock

TheSpottedZebra · 15/09/2020 22:24

What's wrong with goths Confused

110APiccadilly · 15/09/2020 22:25

I read through all the Famous Five books at that age for comfort reading (having not read them for about 5 years). I wouldn't worry overly unless there's something more to it tbh.

yeOldeTrout · 15/09/2020 22:29

Watch 'em with her. Leave the doors open for communication.

Sunbird24 · 15/09/2020 22:29

As first years at uni my now best friend and I used to watch kids tv together at weekends, and last year I re-watched all of The Worst Witch. It’s nice sometimes to escape from the realities of life into something ‘fluffy’. As long as she’s still engaging with the world the rest of the time I wouldn’t worry about it.

emptyshelvesagain · 15/09/2020 22:30

She seems to just enjoy the show, but I’m wondering if, maybe, she’s watching it to try not to grow up, and she might need to talk.

Massive overthink.

AtrociousCircumstance · 15/09/2020 22:31

I’ve always enjoyed Sesame Street. I could watch an episode now with a cup of tea.

halcyondays · 15/09/2020 22:32

Seems like a complete non issue and not really that unusual either.

Shinyletsbebadguys · 15/09/2020 22:32

@SecretOfChange

I wouldn't be suspicious about Pokemon or She-Ra but Hello Kitty and My Little Pony are popular in goth subculture so I'd want to rule that out.
Grin well blimey I didn't realise when I was a goth I was so truly close to the edge Hmm I'm now a disturbingly boring 41 year old who is the epitome of twin set and Pearl's ( or rather the 21st century version). I think you've gone off the deep end with the goth thing a bit there. Whilst it has a natural edge that wouldn't hurt to vaguely be aware of (in the same way TOWIE teenage fans might whiten their teeth too much) I suspect nazism is not a concern.

OP I wouldn't worry. Maybe it is a slight nostalgic jump back to childhood but we all do it sometimes and it doesn't hurt. It sounds like you are quite aware and likely to be there for her to talk to I wouldn't say anything to make her feel silly even unintentionally,theres no harm in it.

SleepingStandingUp · 15/09/2020 22:35

I'm so tired but @SecretOfChange I need you to explain about MLP, Nazis and goths. So I'm place marking for when someone wakes me up at 3 am because they're the era Ng way up in the cot or the bedroom is too dark or there's no one to play with

Bringonspring · 15/09/2020 22:36

Most likely thing here is you are over thinking it here.

I presume it’s not that there’s been a divorce and she wants to go back to that time etc

Someone is going to have to let me know the Goth and my little pony link

LuluBellaBlue · 15/09/2020 22:37

My strapping 16 year old boy loves nothing more than a proper kids film, I wouldn’t worry :)

EllieQ · 15/09/2020 22:38

It’s the bronies rather than the goths that you need to worry about - some of the brony fandom is quite adult and dark. That’s what you should be checking on her social media/ internet use.

Butterer · 15/09/2020 22:38

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

AtrociousCircumstance · 15/09/2020 22:40

My Little Pony? My Little Satanic Sacrifice more like.

homemadecommunistrussia · 15/09/2020 22:41

Wtf? Watching my little pony means you might be into goth and therefore a Nazi?!?!?
One of my favourite albums is The Nephilim- should i be locked up?

ATowelAndAPotato · 15/09/2020 22:41

MLP episodes are pretty good, and I’m dreading the day my DD is “too old” for them as I love watching them with her!

imnotalpharius · 15/09/2020 22:42

Friendship is magic is fab. It's got plenty of Easter eggs for a term (the pony doctor 'time turner', pinkie pie as Marty mcfly) it's got a good voice cast imo and can be very funny. John Delancey does a guest voice, I love mlp.

The new She Ra is amazing as well.

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