Weekly thread: What shows / movies have sparked great conversations with your kids?

A few months ago, my husband and I started watching Ted Lasso (again) with our soccer-obsessed 12-year-old. There’s lots of bad language in it, and sexual references, and people making not-so-stellar choices. But I thought to myself: If nothing else, it’ll be a conversation starter.

Boy, has it ever been. Whenever something comes up that we aren’t sure he grasps (tampons, panic attacks, sexual jokes), we hit pause, ask if he knows what’s happening, and fill in the gaps. We discuss why characters make the mistakes they make. We talk about gender norms, mental health, and misogyny. It’s been pretty awesome, and the best part is that these conversations haven’t felt forced and have brought us together rather than driving us apart.

I’m curious: What TV shows or movies have helped you connect more with your kids? Which ones have led to interesting or fruitful conversations, and why? Share in the comments!

Also! I’ve decided to move my Parenting Advice Hot Takes to Thursdays, where they won’t be as buried.

So, without further ado, here’s (duh) this week’s

I’m commenting on this Instagram reel from thenaturalmamaco:

Here are my thoughts.