Why ‘90s kids are the most emotionally damaged parents
I watched a boy get stung to death by bees after trying to find his best friend's mood ring. And then I watched her sob over his casket.
No wonder us 90s kids are the most screen-time-anxious generation of parents ever.
4 '90s kids are the most screen-time-anxious generation of parents ever, based on the movies and shows watched.
Myst – stock.adobe.com
Turns out PG doesn't mean emotionally safe
Our parents didn't Google whether Bridge to Terabithia was age-appropriate. They just pressed play and left the room.
Charlotte's Web: they made us bond with a talking spider and then killed her off. In a barn.
They thought Land Before Time was educational because it had dinosaurs. It was actually just emotional devastation in prehistoric form.
4 Parents thought that The Land Before Time was educational because it had dinosaurs, but it was emotionally hard to watch.
Universal Pictures
Bambi: dead mom. The Lion King: dead dad. Narnia: war, betrayal, child sacrifice… and a talking lion to narrate the trauma.
PG and G ratings, by the way.
I remember in Year 7 History being asked to step out and compose myself because they put Titanic on for the class. I was a sobbing mess and they'd only shown the part where the boat hits the iceberg.
Sorry I'm an empath, Mrs Barnes.
4 Childhood movies had devastating plot points like dead Mufasa in The Lion King.
Buena Vista Pictures
We know how powerful storytelling can be, because it shaped us.
We grew up with no screen time limits and all the emotional damage. Now we limit screen time like it's sugar, swear words, or asbestos.
Our childhood movies broke us and shaped how we parent
Obviously, we limit it because we know of the health impacts staring at a screen can have on our children.
4 Macauley Culkin, Anna Chlumsky, 'My Girl' 1991.
Columbia Pictures
The access to screens is a lot more plentiful. Back then the only screen was the one in the living room and it was a scarce commodity to get to select what you wanted to watch.
Every morning, the NY POSTcast offers a deep dive into the headlines with the Post's signature mix of politics, business, pop culture, true crime and everything in between. Subscribe here!
Today's shows (Moana, Bluey, Encanto) are built with emotional coaching in mind. They're gentler. Smarter. Kinder.
And we're more present. More attuned to what our kids are seeing. We talk about it.
We'll pause the movie. Ask questions. Help them name a feeling.
I remember my dad taking me to see Bridge to Terabithia, having no idea how deeply it would traumatize me.
He didn't have Google to check reviews or parenting forums to warn him.
He had no clue his daughter would leave the cinema sobbing or that she'd never look at rope swings the same way again.
He just wanted to see a movie with his kid. It was rated PG. How was he supposed to know?
I love my dad, but he wasn't the kind of dad who'd sit me down to unpack the emotional symbolism of a cartoon lion dying.
He was more like Chandler from Friends, who once said, 'Yes, it was very sad when the guy stopped drawing the deer.'
And honestly? That was the vibe.
One day, I will show my son these movies. Not to awaken my emotional demons, but as a valuable tool to help him explore big feelings in a safe way.
With someone there to help him make sense of it. Rather than saying 'it's just a cartoon.'
I'll be ready to pause, explain, and let him cry if he needs to. We'll talk about death, bravery, friendship and why Charlotte's Web needs a warning label.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time Business News
an hour ago
- Time Business News
Best Family Friendly Movies to Watch Together
Finding the perfect movie that the whole family can enjoy together can be a challenge but not anymore. Whether you're planning a cozy weekend movie night or looking for something special during the holidays, family friendly movies offer laughter, lessons, and lasting memories. These movies are suitable for all ages, blending entertainment with heartwarming themes and positive messages. Here's a list of some of the best family friendly movies to enjoy together. This timeless Disney classic tells the story of Simba, a young lion prince destined to be king. With unforgettable music, stunning visuals, and meaningful life lessons about courage and responsibility, The Lion King remains a favorite for both kids and adults. This heartwarming underwater adventure follows Marlin, a clownfish, on a quest to find his lost son, Nemo. With lovable characters, colorful animation, and themes of family, bravery, and friendship, it's a must-watch that appeals to every generation. Based on the classic children's books, these movies feature a polite, marmalade-loving bear from Peru who finds a home in London. Funny, touching, and full of charm, Paddington teaches the values of kindness, acceptance, and being true to yourself. From the original Toy Story to Toy Story 4, this series explores the secret lives of toys and their bond with their owner. Each installment is filled with humor, adventure, and emotional depth, making it perfect for both kids and nostalgic adults. In a city where animals live in harmony, a rookie bunny cop and a slick fox team up to solve a mystery. Zootopia is packed with fun, clever jokes, and strong social messages about prejudice, teamwork, and believing in yourself. This musical fantasy tells the story of a magical Colombian family where everyone has a special gift except Mirabel. With catchy songs, vibrant animation, and heartfelt storytelling, Encanto celebrates family unity, self-worth, and embracing individuality. This superhero family balances saving the world with their everyday lives. Both movies combine action and comedy with relatable family dynamics, teaching the value of teamwork, identity, and love. This holiday classic follows young Kevin as he defends his house from burglars after being left behind by his family. Full of clever tricks, funny moments, and a sweet reminder about the importance of family, Home Alone is fun any time of year. In this emotional journey through the Land of the Dead, a young boy named Miguel discovers the importance of family, culture, and honoring ancestors. With stunning visuals and a powerful message, Coco is both a celebration of life and a lesson in remembrance. Whether you choose the original film or the musical adaptation, Matilda is a tale of a gifted girl who uses her intelligence and powers to overcome unfair treatment. It's empowering, funny, and inspires kids to stand up for what's right. Family-friendly movies are more than just entertainment they're an opportunity to connect, laugh, and learn together. These films are perfect for building traditions, sparking meaningful conversations, and creating shared memories that last a lifetime. So grab some popcorn, settle in, and let the movie magic begin! TIME BUSINESS NEWS
Boston Globe
an hour ago
- Boston Globe
Gilda Cruz-Romo, soprano celebrated for her power, dies at 85
Critics focused on the natural way she used her voice to inject character into her roles. From a 1962 debut in her native Mexico, opposite Jon Vickers in Richard Wagner's 'Die Walkure,' to her final performances, 30 years later, in Manuel de Falla's 'El Amor Brujo' in Guadalajara, where she was born, she was celebrated for a big voice -- she could hit high Cs with perfect accuracy -- that was also capable of singing quite softly. Get Starting Point A guide through the most important stories of the morning, delivered Monday through Friday. Enter Email Sign Up At the Met, she sang alongside stars Sherrill Milnes in 'I Pagliacci,' Robert Merrill in 'La Forza del Destino,' and Plácido Domingo in 'Tosca,' under James Levine. Advertisement A 1974 performance in Turin in the title role of Giuseppe Verdi's 'Luisa Miller' was 'the aural equivalent of a Caravaggio painting,' critic Scott Barnes wrote in a 2008 profile in Opera magazine. He praised her 'masterful use of light and shadow to etch an indelibly unique human being,' wroting that she had a sound 'perfect for Verdi and Puccini.' Advertisement The daughter of a train conductor, Ms. Cruz-Romo came from 'humble beginnings,' her niece Guerra said in an interview. Quoted in the 2008 Opera profile, Ms. Cruz-Romo appeared slightly amazed in looking back at a career that had led her from the Mexican provinces to the operatic stage in New York, Milan, London, and Vienna. 'I mean, my God! Who has such luck? There was really no struggle in my career,' she told Barnes. 'I worked hard and prepared well, but the engagements came easily.' Ms. Cruz-Romo was Cio-Cio San in "Madama Butterfly" at the Metropolitan Opera in New York in 1981. METROPOLITAN OPERA/NYT Gilda Cruz was born Feb. 12, 1940, one of four children of Feliciano Cruz and Maria del Rosario Diaz. As a child, she 'loved to dress up and make believe all the time,' she told Barnes in 2008, recalling that she infuriated her mother by taking her antique bedspread so she could 'swirl that around me and pretend to be a queen.' She studied at the Mexico City Conservatory, sang with the choir of the Ballet Folklorico de Mexico, and made her debut under the composer-conductor Carlos Chavez with the Mexican National Symphony Orchestra in Heitor Villa-Lobos' 'Bachianas Brasileiras No. 5.' She immediately impressed critics in her native land. 'A young debutante with a very beautiful voice, and to whom we wish a brilliant future,' critic Rafael Solana wrote in Siempre! magazine in September 1962, after her debut in 'Die Walkure.' In 1968, after some six years with the National Opera of Mexico, she was hired to sing in Gaetano Donizetti's 'Anna Bolena' at the Dallas Opera (her husband, Roberto, was singing in the opera's choir). Advertisement From the beginning, the texture of Cruz-Romo's voice and its exceptional richness aroused critical enthusiasm. She made her New York debut at City Opera in October 1969, in the dual role of Margherita and Elena in Arrigo Boito's 'Mefistofele,' under Julius Rudel. For critic Peter G. Davis of The New York Times, she was 'a major discovery.' 'In soft passages, she produces a pianissimo of delicate, whispery beauty, and when the voice blooms up on top the effect is thrillingly brilliant,' Davis wrote -- although he did note a few 'technical flaws' in her voice production. In 1970, she won the top prize in the Metropolitan Opera National Council's regional audition and was immediately offered a contract by the company's general manager, Rudolf Bing. Later that year, Davis found her Butterfly to be 'a fascinating creation and potentially a great one,' adding that 'her voice is a thrilling instrument in itself, with a powerful thrust in the top register and an individual, bronzen timbre that communicates drama as well as the notes.' After retiring from the stage in 1990, Ms. Cruz-Romo became a voice professor at the University of Texas Austin. She held that position for about a decade, earning the gratitude of dozens of students. 'She was an encyclopedia of musical knowledge and lived experience,' her student Benjamin Watts wrote in a post on LinkedIn after her death, 'fundamentally devoted to the libretto of every masterpiece she performed.' Ms. Cruz-Romo leaves a sister, Sylvia Winter. Her husband, who had been her manager, died in 2018. Advertisement This article originally appeared in
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
Josh Hutcherson Battles Evil Animatronics Once More in 'Five Nights at Freddy's 2' Full Trailer
Five Nights at Freddy's has plenty more nightmarish animatronics in store. On Thursday, July 24, Universal Pictures debuted the full trailer for Five Nights at Freddy's 2, a sequel to the horror-video-game adaptation that became a box-office hit in 2023. Josh Hutcherson and Elizabeth Lail return for the new installment that, based on the trailer, could be delivering even more sinister scares than its predecessor. Directed once again by Emma Tammi, the second installment "begins a blood-chilling new chapter of animatronic terror," according to a logline. Another line adds, "Anyone can survive five nights. This time, there will be no second chances." "One year has passed since the supernatural nightmare at Freddy Fazbear's Pizza," a synopsis reads. "The stories about what transpired there have been twisted into a campy local legend, inspiring the town's first ever Fazfest. " Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human-interest stories. "Former security guard Mike (Hutcherson, 32) and police officer Vanessa (Lail, 33) have kept the truth from Mike's 11-year-old sister, Abby (Piper Rubio), concerning the fate of her animatronic friends," the synopsis continues. It concludes, "But when Abby sneaks out to reconnect with Freddy, Bonnie, Chica and Foxy, it will set into motion a terrifying series of events, revealing dark secrets about the true origin of Freddy's, and unleashing a long-forgotten horror hidden away for decades." The first film followed Hutcherson's Mike as he took on a sketchy job as a night security guard at an abandoned theme restaurant called Freddy Fazbear's Pizzeria. He hopes the gig will help him keep custody of his younger sister — but, as a synopsis explains, the job "instead drags him into the black heart of a supernatural nightmare." is now available in the Apple App Store! Download it now for the most binge-worthy celeb content, exclusive video clips, astrology updates and more! Five Nights at Freddy's 2 also sees the return of Matthew Lillard as William Afton and Theodus Crane as Jeremiah, with new cast additions including Freddy Carter, Wayne Knight, Mckenna Grace and Lillard's friend and Scream costar Skeet Ulrich. In 2023, director Tammi, 43, told Variety of expanding the Freddy's franchise, "We're definitely excited to keep making more movies in this world, should we be lucky enough to do that." "This one was tied into the first game, and we would probably focus on tying the second one into the second game, and so on and so forth. But anything could happen," she added. "We'll have to see." Five Nights at Freddy's 2 is in theaters Dec. 5. Read the original article on People
