Do you let your toddlers watch PG-rated movies?

I'm asking because I don't let Ellie watch anything that is rated above G. I was talking to my mom and she told me she wanted to buy Ellie the Spongebob movie for Easter. I told her not to because I won't let her watch it because it's rated PG and then told her of a couple other DVD's she could buy; Bambi or there's a new VeggieTales DVD coming out tomorrow. Mom got a little huffy and couldn't understand why I won't let Ellie watch Spongebob. It's just a principle thing with me. I don't see why a 3 year old needs to watch PG movies. She then told me that so-and-so let her 2 year old watch it. That's fine, but it's not for me. Am I the only one?

I would let Rebekah watch PG movies. In fact, I have. She loves the Santa Clause (1 and 2) and has watched them repeatedly. She's seen How the Grinch stole Christmas and the Cat in the Hat. I think the things she sees on prime time TV are worse than most PG movies.

What don't you want Ellie to see in the movies? I'm just curious because i don't think they are that bad. Most of the crude jokes she doesn't get anyway.

You can go here - http://www.filmratings.com/ - type in a movie title and find out what it's rated and WHY it's rated that. Most of them that I type in say "mild crude humor".

I let mine watch PG movies if they want to.

But, having said that, you have a right to parent your kids your way. If you feel it's important, your mom should respect your choice.

It would depend on the movie. And I agree with Jen - it's your decision as to what you let Ellie watch and if your mom doesn't like it, that's just too bad.

Dennis

I let Isabelle watch PG movies...but like everyone else is said, I think it's totally up to you as the parent to make that call. (A lot of parents let their 3 year olds drink pop, and we don't- that's totally our choice, and we get really annoyed with people who say "oh, one drink, what does it hurt"). You know yourself, you know your kids- it's your decision.

If I'm correct (I didn't look it up) in thinking that toy story is PG then yes, I've let her watch pg movies...

But, she watches american idol 3 times a week and that definitely isn't rated G and her FAVORITE show is teen titans, and it's a cartoon for older kids, probably similar, ratings wise, to sponge bob.

If I'm correct (I didn't look it up) in thinking that toy story is PG then yes, I've let her watch pg movies...


Toy story 1 and 2 are both G.

Rebekah loves American Idol! And she also watches Survivor sometimes.

What don't you want Ellie to see in the movies? I'm just curious because i don't think they are that bad. Most of the crude jokes she doesn't get anyway.


I guess it's just the principle of the thing. I know she won't get a lot of what's in there, but she's 3! I want her to be "little" and innocent as long as possible. If she was 6 or 7, I probably wouldn't mind.

My girls are allowed to watch PG movies. But I understand your views and I think your mother should definitely respect them. :nod:

I agree, it's your call, and your mom needs to accept that.

For anyone intersted, Kids in Mind (http://www.kidsinmind.com/) is a site that gives movies separate ratings for sex & nudity, violence & gore and profanity.

Mason watches Survivor too, but we call it "The Camping Show." :) He has seen all the Harry Potter movies, which I'm sure must be PG dozens of times, and then he found the Star Wars (newest ones) and Lord of the Rings DVDs and has seen those too. I do know that DH skips the really gory parts on LOTR. He actually asks to see Darth Moll that ugly red/black guy with the spikes on his head from Star Wars the Phantom Menace. :rolleyes:

You are the Mom, it's your call. :)

I let Caroline watch Sponge Bob and will let her watch the movie... she also likes Elf... so my answer is I wouldn't say no just because it was PG, and some of that Disney stuff in my mind is too scary for her. That being said, I totally agree with the general consensus that you are the mom, it is your decision, and that is the bottom line.

Anna's a bit young for movies yet, but I imagine that once she's watching more, I'll judge them on a case by case basis rather than just by the rating. If you, as her mother, don't feel it's appropriate for her to watch Spongebob, then that's the final word, IMO. FWIW, I wouldn't want my preschooler watching Spongebob... it's just not my thing.

FWIW, I wouldn't want my preschooler watching Spongebob... it's just not my thing.
*I* find Spongebob funny and I do think some of the stuff I find funny is over their heads...but some of the phrases and such that they say might be things they'd repeat...and for that reason no Spongebob show or movies in our house. Same with Rugrats.

On the OT, I will let the kids watch PG depending on the movie. We did go see The Incredibles - their first time in the theater - and it was PG. While most of it was fine, there were some more violent scenes I wasn't happy about exposing them to. From that experience, I plan to do a little more research on PG movies from now on before I let them see them. (FWIW, I still might have taken them to The Incredibles.)

I don't pay attention to the rating, I judge for myself. My kids are not allowed to watch The Simpsons. I don't care that every other child in the world watches it, I don't think it's appropriate. I've never seen Spongebob but don't think it's something that I would let the kids watch at this age. But they do watch Grease and Seinfeld and Survivor and Idol etc :dunno: It's whatever you think is appropriate for your children.

Clare, Do you have te same kind of rating system in Australia that we have here in the states?

Clare, Do you have te same kind of rating system in Australia that we have here in the states?

Yes, I think it's exactly the same. I know there have been a few cases where a movie has been rated MA in the US but rated R here, or the other way around :dunno: But as far as kids movies/shows go, it seems to be the same.

I don't know where Emily has picked it up from, but she is very concerned about ratings :lol: If she wants to watch a DVD that's rated PG, she'll say "you have to decide if we're allowed to watch it first"! And if I'm watching a movie and she notices that it's rated M, she'll run out of the room screaming that she's not allowed to watch it :lol: