Parent Corner: Ready (or Not) for the Movies

Ready (or Not) for the Movies. Submitted.

The hype was real, the excitement palpable – Paw Patrol: The Mighty Movie was finally at the big screen. My daughter, Greta, was all about it. Her first movie theater experience. 

I felt a bit wary – she’s a timid kid, screams bloody murder when a bug touches her toys or a deer leaps through our yard. But she loves Paw Patrol. And a gaggle of cousins were coming along, as well as Grandma and a couple aunts. Strength in numbers. And she was pumped. 

She proudly carried her individual cardboard tray complete with sour candy, buttery popcorn and a fizzy orange soda to her seat while I decided to write about the outing for a Parent Corner. “Perfect!” I thought. “A kid-friendly option for those bleak mid-winter days.” 

We cozied in, giggled with anticipation. 

And then the lights faded. Greta’s eyes went wide.

And then the overstimulating, bright and flashy, in-your-face trailers began with a volume unlike anything Greta’s eardrums have ever reverberated. The tension and fear radiated off her little body like hot steam. 

And then the flick began – somehow a junk yard starts on fire – I’m not clear on the plot because a bony butt was digging in my thighs. I held her tight, assured her Paw Patrol was on their way, while Greta’s cousin of the same age sat passively in her seat, shoveling popcorn in her mouth, cool as a cucumber. 

And then the cackling, green-haired villain materialized and somehow magnets a meteor to Earth – I couldn’t quite see because we had Grandma’s coat over our heads. 

Then Greta whispered a frantic, desperate plea: “I want to go home.” 

And so we took her tray of goodies and left.

Sometimes that’s how it goes. These kiddos move through life at their own pace – and I know that can be frustrating, for us and them. I was looking forward to the mental break and she wanted to enjoy the movie and experience, just like her peers.

“Maybe I’ll like movies when I’m bigger?” Greta asked as I zipped up her coat in the lobby. “When I’m five?”

“Whenever you’re ready,” I told her. 

If your child is ready (or not – they have a great arcade and yummy treats if you need to chill in the lobby for a scene or two), and you’re looking for a big-screen break, head to Sturgeon Bay Cinema 6. For show times visit sbcinema.com.