and there is proof of what kind of father he is. One adult and one child for a Midnight showing of a movie on a school night. If you are able to pay a child's price, the kid is 12 or younger. Why would any good parent take their child to a midnight showing of a movie on a school night? Bet you didn't get the child home til 3 AM or later. Did I mention that it was a school night? Obviously you probably didn't make the child go to school today. What did you tell the school? Oh my kid is too tired to come to school today because of Star Wars.

and there is proof of what kind of father he is. One adult and one child for a Midnight showing of a movie on a school night. If you are able to pay a child's price, the kid is 12 or younger. Why would any good parent take their child to a midnight showing of a movie on a school night? Bet you didn't get the child home til 3 AM or later. Did I mention that it was a school night? Obviously you probably didn't make the child go to school today. What did you tell the school? Oh my kid is too tired to come to school today because of Star Wars.

He's only 4 and attends pre-school. I moved up his schedule a bit to adjust for being awake between 11:30-3:00. Basicly feed him, bathed him, and put him to bed early. So he was able to still get 8-9 hrs of sleep....6 the first time and 3 the next....he wanted to go and he earned it by not pee'ing the bed. He stayed awake through the whole thing waving his lightsaber around everytime someone in the movie did.

oh and mine was only 1 of the 24 other children that where there that night too...FYI

4years old and up past 8pm?

4yrs old and attending a PG-13 movie?

Folks, this is what is wrong with the US today. No parental responsibility.

My brother is taking his 6-year old to see it. I don't see anything wrong with a situation like my brother's or Shepasir's, as they both seem to have prepared for everything well.

(I'm not taking into account whether or not you all like Shepasir or not lol.. I am only talking about this situation.)

If you know your child well enough, opportunities like these give you a chance to further bond and have something to talk about in the future.. good times, etc. Who cares if it's a school night? It's only one night. I'd venture a guess that you yourselves did much worse on 'school nights' at various ages. Life is for living sometimes..

It is totally up to the parent.. no one else.. to determine what is right for their child. At least Shepasir cares enough to take advantage of rare opportunities like this.

My personal feelings about Shep have nothing to do with this. I think having a 4yr or 6yr old for that matter up that late is not healthy. Young children need routine and they need sleep, not just for crankiness sake but also to help them grow.

That movie is rated PG-13 for a reason and I would not personally take a young child to see it unless that child had a really good grasp on the concepts. Even then I probably wouldn't.

It's my opinion of course, and it doesn't matter b/c people will still do stuff like this and I will still say that school violence and other such crap is the direct result of bad parenting NOT video games, TV, and movies. If parents acted like parents and not like irresponsible children themselves the world would be better.

Just this week at an elementary school in my area, there was a murder suicide. Not children mind you.....two adults in the parking lot just as school was letting out. How crazy is that. Accountability starts with yourself and should carry over to your children and how you raise them.

oh and mine was only 1 of the 24 other children that where there that night too...FYI

So this is justification in your mind? Others do it so it must be ok? Hey next time take him to a Rave and do drugs in front of him and let him have some too. You can start your own fad and then others can say well he's here with his kid let me bring mine too. Extreme I know but a point nonetheless.

hehe hey Taleran, took my 9 year old nephew to see it, BUT schools been out for summer break for over a week now :)

My personal feelings about Shep have nothing to do with this. I think having a 4yr or 6yr old for that matter up that late is not healthy. Young children need routine and they need sleep, not just for crankiness sake but also to help them grow.

That movie is rated PG-13 for a reason and I would not personally take a young child to see it unless that child had a really good grasp on the concepts. Even then I probably wouldn't.

It's my opinion of course, and it doesn't matter b/c people will still do stuff like this and I will still say that school violence and other such crap is the direct result of bad parenting NOT video games, TV, and movies. If parents acted like parents and not like irresponsible children themselves the world would be better.

Just this week at an elementary school in my area, there was a murder suicide. Not children mind you.....two adults in the parking lot just as school was letting out. How crazy is that. Accountability starts with yourself and should carry over to your children and how you raise them.



So this is justification in your mind? Others do it so it must be ok? Hey next time take him to a Rave and do drugs in front of him and let him have some too. You can start your own fad and then others can say well he's here with his kid let me bring mine too. Extreme I know but a point nonetheless.

Example 1-100 as to why Fildien doesnt have any children is listed above.

Im not saying that is was neither right nor wrong for those other children to be there. It is not my call to tell another parent what they should or should not do with their children. I am the only one that has to answer for my actions when it comes to my child. Taking him to a Rave and to a PG-13 movie its 2 175% completely different things. My child has grown up on those films just as I once did. He has a firm grasp on the concept of reality vs fantasy. I can say that because he tried to fly off a dresser at his mom's house not once but twice and recieved staples in his head both times. Needless to say after that experience he's not going to try much else that he sees on tv or in a movie. Communication with your children is the key to solving all of this. It is good for parents to sometimes "get down to a child's level" and relate to them. Ever played Power Rangers with a child Fildien? Ever sat down and had a discussion about how cool is it to bake cookies with your grand-parents? No insult intened im just asking. As far as my son's schedule goes...its the same day in and day out Mon-Fri. What he does on the weekends with his mother I have no control over.

When you become a parent...then you can speak from experience. Otherwise, unless I'm wrong and you have had some children recently, you really have zero room to talk.

You guys are ragging on the retard for a dumb reason this time. Don't even pretend that you don't consider star wars a family event, maybe you don't agree with the kid going to a midnight showing for whatever reason but saying 4 year old's shouldn't watch star wars is just an excuse to insult Shep over something trivial

Agree with Talid.

And Shep how would you know if I did or didn't have children? Last I recall you don't know me or anything about my life other than what I have divulged here and there. And even then only me or those who do know me in real life know what is and isn't true. I would certainly never share any life fact with you, but again that's my personal opinion ;) Fact of the matter is Shep I do have a young one whom I have been battling for custody of. We don't all give our life story on here, but there....how's that tidbit? ;)

Opinions are just that....opinions you either agree or you don't. Take it or leave it everyone has one.

Actually Talid you are partially correct. I think a midnight showing for a child is poor form but I also disagree with a 4yr or 6yr old seeing it. I don't have the time to look it up or want to really, but there is some reason that indicates that somewhere around 8yrs of age kids can begin to truly grasp right and wrong. I don't think a child of 4 or 6 yrs old can do that.

maybe you don't agree with the kid going to a midnight showing for whatever reason

that's exactly what my problem was. PG means parental guidence, not that the kid can't see the movie in the presence of an adult.

And Shep how would you know if I did or didn't have children? Last I recall you don't know me or anything about my life other than what I have divulged here and there. And even then only me or those who do know me in real life know what is and isn't true. I would certainly never share any life fact with you, but again that's my personal opinion ;) Fact of the matter is Shep I do have a young one whom I have been battling for custody of. We don't all give our life story on here, but there....how's that tidbit? ;)

Opinions are just that....opinions you either agree or you don't. Take it or leave it everyone has one.

Actually Talid you are partially correct. I think a midnight showing for a child is poor form but I also disagree with a 4yr or 6yr old seeing it. I don't have the time to look it up or want to really, but there is some reason that indicates that somewhere around 8yrs of age kids can begin to truly grasp right and wrong. I don't think a child of 4 or 6 yrs old can do that.

Then I extend to you a great big appoly. Last time that we had spoke in private you told me that neither you nor your wife had children. I guess I never read in between the lines that you might have some from a pervious marriage/relationship. You being perfect and all I figued that you would have picked a winner the first time.

However, children grasp more than what most people think they do at a young age. That is why it is easier for children to learn a second language at a young age vs. later on in life. Talid is correct that Star Wars is a family event. My dad and I use to watch it like it was mind candy. Well that and the org Star Trek too. Either way it was an experience that I'm sure he will not forget or at the least will be a memory that will be sparked by certain things that he may do later on down the road. That to me is worth him staying up till 3 in the morning. (even through he still have 6 hrs of sleep before then and 3 more afterwards)

Just to gauge the reader's opinions.

I plopped a poll in RL. I'm curious what the readers who are parents here think. Shep, I don't divulge any facets about my real life to anyone unless I want to least of all to you.

To get back on topic. I'm going to see this tomorrow and can't wait :D

Then I extend to you a great big appoly. Last time that we had spoke in private you told me that neither you nor your wife had children. I guess I never read in between the lines that you might have some from a pervious marriage/relationship. You being perfect and all I figued that you would have picked a winner the first time.

However, children grasp more than what most people think they do at a young age. That is why it is easier for children to learn a second language at a young age vs. later on in life. Talid is correct that Star Wars is a family event. My dad and I use to watch it like it was mind candy. Well that and the org Star Trek too. Either way it was an experience that I'm sure he will not forget or at the least will be a memory that will be sparked by certain things that he may do later on down the road. That to me is worth him staying up till 3 in the morning. (even through he still have 6 hrs of sleep before then and 3 more afterwards )

I'm not just here to rag on Shep (though trust me.. it's a big part of why). You're all assuming once more that Shep's ass is telling the truth about HAVING a child. He's lied about everything else he's ever spoken of on these boards (and I mean EVERYTHING), so why are you assuming he's not just talking bullshit again?

That being said.. if he ISN'T a parent, the next little post is entirely invalidated.

Example 1-100 as to why Fildien doesnt have any children is listed above.

Im not saying that is was neither right nor wrong for those other children to be there. It is not my call to tell another parent what they should or should not do with their children. I am the only one that has to answer for my actions when it comes to my child. Taking him to a Rave and to a PG-13 movie its 2 175% completely different things. My child has grown up on those films just as I once did. He has a firm grasp on the concept of reality vs fantasy. I can say that because he tried to fly off a dresser at his mom's house not once but twice and recieved staples in his head both times. Needless to say after that experience he's not going to try much else that he sees on tv or in a movie. Communication with your children is the key to solving all of this. It is good for parents to sometimes "get down to a child's level" and relate to them. Ever played Power Rangers with a child Fildien? Ever sat down and had a discussion about how cool is it to bake cookies with your grand-parents? No insult intened im just asking. As far as my son's schedule goes...its the same day in and day out Mon-Fri. What he does on the weekends with his mother I have no control over.

When you become a parent...then you can speak from experience. Otherwise, unless I'm wrong and you have had some children recently, you really have zero room to talk.

That bolded bit smells fishy. FOUR years old. I don't know many four year old children with a FIRM grasp on reality, or that have attempted to fly off a dresser. Shit Shep, you have ABSOLUTELY no grasp on reality yourself, yet you expect people to believe you've instilled it in your brat? If his mother was neglecting him enough that he needed staples in his head both times, she'd lose custody. Also.. what about this job where you need to travel 3 months straight Sheppy? How are you parenting then?

I'd like to see some answers on your creds as a father before I start believing you're worthy to dole out sage parental advice. All I can see that you'd add to any child of your own is a keen sense of how to lie.

(Edit: I'm looking forward to this flick too!)

Ah.. I retract my vote. I let my kids see PG 13 Movies if I'm with them. I won't let them go see them without myself or another parent there however. I misread the first poll response.

Not enough choices in the poll. There are way too many gray areas to make this a cut and dry decision.

My vote would be for common sense. Unfortunately one persons common sense is another persons, "Oh my god that's f'in retarded!!!".

Not all movies are graded PG-13 for the same reasons. I would be much more inclined to bring my child to a movie with a little nudity than I would to one that depicted a bullet between the eyes. But that's probably a whole different debate.

I'm not a parent but I don't believe in not letting a child watch a rated PG-13 movie just because there are some "strong language or sexual innuendo, or action sequences". The average kid won't pick up on the innuendo and the action sequences are harmless fun if you are an attentive parent.

Ok what choices would you rather see? I could only make 4 :(

I would agree common sense is the key and I would also agree that nudity is more acceptable in my eyes than violence or vulgarity.

TOY SOLDIERS was a PG-13 MOvie.. the one ya know where teh toys come alive? ANTS WAS FREAKING PG-13 sooo... GIVE ME A FUCKING BREAK.

TOY SOLDIERS was a PG-13 MOvie.. the one ya know where teh toys come alive? ANTS WAS FREAKING PG-13 sooo... GIVE ME A FUCKING BREAK.
Small Soldiers.

thats it Ty


On the other note look at the Wildly popular Dreamworks movies that come out these days like ICE AGE.. theres grownup jokes in those movies not going to let your kids see them?

Small Soldiers.

So was Honey I Shrunk The Kids.....

thats it Ty


On the other note look at the Wildly popular Dreamworks movies that come out these days like ICE AGE.. theres grownup jokes in those movies not going to let your kids see them?

If as a parent I were to deem the content was too mature for my child then yes. Especially if that child were of a very young age. There is an age and time when children start to better grasp concepts and sure you can say all you want to about how kids don't get the "grown-up" jokes but they do ask questions and take note of reactions.

I think its few and far between that any G rated movies come out anymore. Like was said...most of the children's movie now a days are using more and more adult geared humor. Anyone want to guess why? IMO is because they know that adults have to sit through it. In order to entertain both ages they have to be sure that adults will be able to get something out of it too. Not that it makes it right but who can blame them. I would say that the majority of them are in it because they like to do that type of work, but when it all comes down to it the GREEN BACK rules the world.

They see it, they know it, parents are going to have to bring their children so why not make it to where it encourages the parents to come as well. Just more money for them in the long run anyway.

If as a parent I were to deem the content was too mature for my child then yes. Especially if that child were of a very young age. There is an age and time when children start to better grasp concepts and sure you can say all you want to about how kids don't get the "grown-up" jokes but they do ask questions and take note of reactions.

Content they get off of TV is only 50% of where they actually learn things from. Kids are smart and like all people who are "naturally curious" they love to listen to you...even when you think they arnt. We're all human and all make "mistakes" sometimes and say or do things around children they may not be the best. You cant shelter them from it, its going to happen to them at one point in time. Better to explain it now in a way they would understand than to just say "You'll learn about it when your older".

I'd say that was the major part of my parents downfall with me. I thought kissing made babies till I was 16yrs old and disovered was sex was. Protecting your children from the reality that this world produces is no better for them than throwing them out in. If you keep them informed they were more than likley come to you when its something they dont understand or are confused about rather than just telling themselves "I'll find out when I'm older"

As a general rule, my girls only saw G-rated movies until they were 12 or 13 years old. There were exceptions... To use a blanket statement and say that children should not see a PG-13 movies until they are 13 is to say that all children are alike and develop alike. This is not the case. Sure, there were a number of movies that I would not want them to see even AFTER they were 13 or older, but a fair number of PG-13 movies were acceptable to me.

Generally movies will get a PG-13 rating for mild violence or language... which is put there intentionally to get something above a G-rating. Movie producers are not stupid and they know that unless you are Disney, most people won't give a G-rated movie a second look. Put a PG-13 rating on it and it becomes more marketable.

In short... in my opinion parents should know their children well enough to know if they can or can not handle the topic/situations in a movie, and should base their decision upon that.

The other part of this topic has to do with the time of day to take a child to the movies. I have to agree that a midnight showing is a bit extreme for a four-year old. My grandson (yes, I have a grandson) is four years old and I would never consider taking him to a midnight showing, and his mother would probably blow a gasket, three fuses and her cool... if I did.

*tosses two coppers in the hat*

As a general rule, my girls only saw G-rated movies until they were 12 or 13 years old. There were exceptions... To use a blanket statement and say that children should not see a PG-13 movies until they are 13 is to say that all children are alike and develop alike. This is not the case. Sure, there were a number of movies that I would not want them to see even AFTER they were 13 or older, but a fair number of PG-13 movies were acceptable to me.

Generally movies will get a PG-13 rating for mild violence or language... which is put there intentionally to get something above a G-rating. Movie producers are not stupid and they know that unless you are Disney, most people won't give a G-rated movie a second look. Put a PG-13 rating on it and it becomes more marketable.

In short... in my opinion parents should know their children well enough to know if they can or can not handle the topic/situations in a movie, and should base their decision upon that.

The other part of this topic has to do with the time of day to take a child to the movies. I have to agree that a midnight showing is a bit extreme for a four-year old. My grandson (yes, I have a grandson) is four years old and I would never consider taking him to a midnight showing, and his mother would probably blow a gasket, three fuses and her cool... if I did.

*tosses two coppers in the hat*

Ya but thats a Grandparents job...your supose to make your children's kids rotten. Its all the payback for the stuff they did to you...:D

I can't vote fairly on this as my baby is 6 months old. But i'm sure i'll take her to some movies as she gets older. My only restriction will probably be rated R movies, and another other than G if there's no adult supervision until she's 13(this means DVD's at home), no child should be unattended at a movie til at least 13 i'd say.

This is nothing new, hell Bugs Bunny cartoons from when I was a kid would earn PG-13 now.

Fandros

Others may have addressed this, but I stopped reading into page two.

I did not respond to the poll because I am both a parent and grandparent, and each child's situation is looked at differently. I would have not had any problem taking my son to see many PG-13 movies when he was 4-10, but there are also many I would not have taken him to due to the subject matter; his sister on the other hand I would have taken to a different set of movies on many occasions due to differing maturity and sensitivity to certain subjects. They were ten tears apart, also, so there was never any crying about favoritism.

Parental Guidance is meant to be exactly what it says and most will assume that the parent has a decent grip on the sensibilities and capabilities for understanding of their children.

I have no problem with Shep taking his child to see this particular movie; I do think it was asinine of any parent to take any child younger than 12 (junior high age) to see a midnight showing, rather than wait to see during daytime hours. I admit that there may be some memories to be relished down the road of the party atmosphere waiting for that first showing at midnight, but I also think that there need to be boundaries set that are firm.

But anyway, I am looking forward to seeing it.

We have all forgotten the real issue here. Shespar and Dante are breeding :(. Hey you! Outta the Gene Pool!!

My parents took me to a matineee of Episode 4 back in '72. I was 5. My father, while hating every minute, explained anything I did not understand.
I dont think taking a 4 yer old to star wars is neccessarily a bad thing as long as the parent explains things and makes sure the child doesnt try to copy any of the violence.
A midinight showing probably isn't a good idea for a 4 year old.

I'm way more concerned with letting kids see movies that show people getting away with being stupid or are emotionally abusive than the ones with risque but good natured romance or a little righteous smackdown.

My parents took me to a matineee of Episode 4 back in '72. I was 5.

WOW you got to see it 5 years before it was released in 1977, simply amazing.

Ack I meant 77. I was born in 72 :p

I have no children, but when I was a child, I was allowed to watch pretty much anything....although being a child I wanted to see the cartoons as opposed to the "grown up" stuff.

However, if a movie was on TV that had violence, I wouldn't be kicked out of the room, the movie would stay on and I would watch it. Those movies did not make me wanna go out and imitate what I saw. The roadrunner would have had me jumping off cliffs and blowing myself up, if TV had that much power over people.

I do agree a midnight movie for a young child is just silly...you would have the same memories if you saw it at noon, sometime in the evening, or the mornings. I am sure, if you speak honestly, you brought your son (and I do believe you have one Shep) because YOU wanted to see it first, not for the sentimental reasons :)

I agree with Shannah... people always talk about how kids are influenced by games and movies... Shit I never remember once thinking to myself.... what if I can fly? HEy lets go jump off my houses's roof and see if its true!

I'd like to vote, but there's too big of a gap between (a) and (b).

I've got a 4 year old, and she sees G-rated films with her grandmother all the time. Often, she sees a PG film, or even PG-13 depending on the TYPE of humor. My 4 year old isn't offended by a poopy-joke, even though that gets you a PG-13.

On the other hand, I don't have any interest in exposing her to something like Star Wars - RotS, which got its rating for some scenes that are VERY hard to explain to a small child.

Daddy why is that man hurting that women?


He's Not hurting her hun. hes cracking her back...

OHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

Me and the kids ditched today to go see it.

Ratings are there for a reason. I screen everything my kids watch to make sure they are appropraite. The rating system helps me to know which movies I need to screen. Everything I have heard about this Star Wars, including a statement from Spielburg himself, tells me that I need to screen this movie before my children see it. IMO, those that bring their underage children to this movie without screening it first, are selfish...thinking about the pleasure they will have watching the movie and not giving a shit about their kids, but then so many parents are that way today. Even if it wasn't violent, which it is, it will contain intense senses which children aren't prepared to deal with emotionally. Bringing a 4 yo to a midnight showing is just an extension of their selfish, irresponsible behavior.

edit - I couldn't vote in the poll because it's missing an obvious choice. I take my kids to G movies, and maybe PG in the Theater, but screen anything that PG-13 first (they haven't seen LOTR) before they see it. They may still see PG-13 movies, but with judicious use of the FF on the DVD player. When they are teens I'll screen the R movies.

I edited the poll to include your suggestion Ailwon. At the time I made the poll that didn't pop into my head but it makes perfect sense.