Some things you just know without being told. According to a recent survey, kids hit peak summer holiday boredom last week—specifically on August 12th. If you’re a parent, you might have let out a weary laugh at that, assuming you still had the energy.
After exhausting ourselves (and our wallets) in endless queues for wholesome activities, we started “Cinema Club”—which is totally different from just watching a movie on the sofa, for reasons I’ll explain… eventually. I was excited to introduce my 11-year-old son to one of my childhood favorites, though this can be risky. (Wait, is he too young for Risky Business?)
Sharing beloved childhood movies you haven’t seen in decades often backfires. Some are painfully slow, others haven’t aged well—to put it mildly. Luckily, the 1988 body-swap comedy Big was an instant hit—fast, funny, and touching. The giant piano scene still holds up. The only hiccup? A sex scene I’d forgotten. The protagonist may look like an adult, but he’s actually 13—and that wasn’t even the worst part.
I remember all too well the agony of watching awkward TV moments with my parents. How two minutes onscreen could stretch into what felt like nine millennia—cheeks burning, muscles clenched, dying inside. I never considered if it was just as bad for them, but now I’m sure it was, because boy, did that scene drag on. Oddly, it felt just as excruciating this time, even though I was the parent now.
Parenthood is different these days—40 is the new 30, so we feel younger than our parents did at this age. My folks’ only involvement in my music was shouting, “Turn it down!” up the stairs. But my son and I both love pop star Lola Young. I’m not sure if that’s okay—for several reasons. There are clean versions of her songs, but you have to request them specifically, or you’ll get lyrics that make Tom Hanks’ love scenes seem tame.
Worse than the awkward conversations sparked by her racier songs is the nagging sense that something’s off. The title of Young’s second album—This Wasn’t Meant For You Anyway—feels a little too accurate. Maybe she’s right. Should I really be singing along with my kid, or should I be the disapproving parent? Have times changed, or am I doing this wrong?
Traditionally, parents are supposed to be terminally uncool—to fret over the Beatles’ hair or Madonna’s antics, not to dance around the kitchen in a cone bra like the “cool mom” from Mean Girls.
But it’s not just Lola Young—I’m also a huge fan of YouTuber Ryan Trahan. My son and I learned the viral Charli XCX Apple dance together (not to post online, I should clarify). My husband is a Mario Kart pro, and they race regularly.
These aren’t activities we endure for the kids’ sake, like rewatching Frozen or spending weekends on freezing train platforms waving at drivers. We genuinely enjoy them—no faking, no sacrifices.
It goes both ways—our son’s first late nights were spent waiting for the next episode of The Traitors. He accidentally overheard my favorite podcast, Armchair Expert, and now listens weekly on purpose. Recently, he fell down a Sean Hayes rabbit hole with us, leading to a Will & Grace marathon where he showed impressive stamina.
Maybe the secret is not to overthink it.Maybe this is the perfect moment. The teenage years are coming soon—in what feels like five minutes—and once they hit, thinking anything is good will probably ruin it. When that awful day arrives, I just hope I get to keep Lola Young.
FAQS
### **FAQs About Sharing Movies & Music With Your 11-Year-Old**
#### **General Questions**
**Q: Is it weird that I enjoy the same movies and music as my 11-year-old?**
A: Not at all! Sharing interests with your child can strengthen your bond and create fun memories.
**Q: Does liking the same things as my kid mean I’m not parenting right?**
A: No—good parenting is about connection, not just rules. Enjoying shared interests can actually improve your relationship.
**Q: Should I force myself to like “kid stuff” just to relate to my child?**
A: Only if you genuinely enjoy it. Being authentic matters more than pretending to like something.
#### **Benefits & Concerns**
**Q: What are the benefits of sharing entertainment tastes with my child?**
A: It fosters bonding, opens up conversations, and helps you understand their world better.
**Q: Could sharing too many interests make me seem less like an authority figure?**
A: Not if you balance fun with boundaries. Kids still need structure, even if you enjoy the same movies.
**Q: What if my child starts liking things I don’t approve of?**
A: Use it as a chance to discuss values—explain why some content may not be appropriate.
#### **Practical Tips**
**Q: How can I introduce my child to my favorite movies/music without forcing it?**
A: Suggest watching or listening together casually. If they’re not interested, don’t push it.
**Q: Should I limit how much we share the same entertainment?**
A: Balance is key. Make sure they also explore age-appropriate content independently.
**Q: What if my child thinks my taste is “uncool”?**
A: That’s normal! Let them have their own preferences while still enjoying shared favorites.
#### **Advanced Questions**
**Q: Can shared interests help with difficult parenting moments?**
A: Yes! A mutual love for certain movies or songs can ease tension and create positive moments.
**Q: How do I handle mature content that we both enjoy but may not be fully appropriate?**
A: Set clear limits and discuss themes openly—use it as a learning opportunity.
