We also have shown much of LOTR to our littles (5, 3, and 1),and their response was incredible. My 5 yo, who’s afraid of Cruella de Vil and loud noises and every insect ever, hid when Shelob came on the screen but has been asking nonstop questions about Eowyn ever since. She’ll now casually ask, “Mommy, can you tell me the story about Eowyn and the Witch-Kjng of Angmar again?” 😂
And my 3yo boy turned into a tiny, roaring warrior and started copying every move Aragorn made, which was both adorable and hilarious.
Even though it’s dark and battle-filled, they both just lit up while watching it.
I'm reading the books to/with them first but yeah, the LOTR trilogy, because of the story in the books will be an exception to our media rules as well.
Loved this! I think I’ll have to wait a little to show our kids still, but I like the perspective of doing it earlier than “the world” might think. Kids need that hope of good over evil so badly; it’s innate. My son (4) constantly comments on story books, and has taught my daughter (2) to do the same: “Oh it had a happy ending!” And the relief/joy as he says that is so palpable
I had the same reaction the first couple of times. And it is. Gives me a whole new appreciation of/lens with which to look at the books/other media I consume-does it have some level of that redemptive hope or not?
Indeed I was fearful as a young child and inevitably wanted to deny that it existed, but that is not the reality. Instead I later found courage to embrace the existence of darkness in this world because Christ triumphs any and all darkness. C.S. Lewis also put it eloquently, 'Since it is so likely that children will meet cruel enemies, let them at least have heard of brave knights and heroic courage.'
I love this! My kids grew up with The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings—my oldest is 11, born 3 months after the first Hobbit movie came out. We’ve watched the movies since they were little, listened to the audiobooks, etc. Same with the Narnia books and movies. These stories are so integral to my life and so GOOD that I didn’t want to wait. I wanted them to grow up immersed in it, like I had.
I would hope so!! I remember watching them and then being eager to listen to my own mother read the books to us as a kid so hopefully it will translate! If they’re like me, they will pretty much devour any related content. Haha
We also have shown much of LOTR to our littles (5, 3, and 1),and their response was incredible. My 5 yo, who’s afraid of Cruella de Vil and loud noises and every insect ever, hid when Shelob came on the screen but has been asking nonstop questions about Eowyn ever since. She’ll now casually ask, “Mommy, can you tell me the story about Eowyn and the Witch-Kjng of Angmar again?” 😂
And my 3yo boy turned into a tiny, roaring warrior and started copying every move Aragorn made, which was both adorable and hilarious.
Even though it’s dark and battle-filled, they both just lit up while watching it.
Awww! I can definitely relate to your daughter’s experience 😊 my 3yo boy runs around the house singing the soundtrack, haha
I'm reading the books to/with them first but yeah, the LOTR trilogy, because of the story in the books will be an exception to our media rules as well.
Love that! I’m looking forward to reading LOTR aloud to my kids—have you made it through the trilogy with yours yet?
My oldest and I read it together a few years ago. I've just started reading it with my next oldest two. We're almost done with Fellowship.
Loved this! I think I’ll have to wait a little to show our kids still, but I like the perspective of doing it earlier than “the world” might think. Kids need that hope of good over evil so badly; it’s innate. My son (4) constantly comments on story books, and has taught my daughter (2) to do the same: “Oh it had a happy ending!” And the relief/joy as he says that is so palpable
Wow! I just teared up! Stories are so powerful and it’s amazing how early they pick up on those things ❤️
I had the same reaction the first couple of times. And it is. Gives me a whole new appreciation of/lens with which to look at the books/other media I consume-does it have some level of that redemptive hope or not?
Yes! Of course not every read has to be equally profound, but all of my favorite books have that element in a hefty degree for sure.
Indeed I was fearful as a young child and inevitably wanted to deny that it existed, but that is not the reality. Instead I later found courage to embrace the existence of darkness in this world because Christ triumphs any and all darkness. C.S. Lewis also put it eloquently, 'Since it is so likely that children will meet cruel enemies, let them at least have heard of brave knights and heroic courage.'
Thank you for the share! I'm so happy you like it 💜
Yes! That’s beautiful ❤️
I love this! My kids grew up with The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings—my oldest is 11, born 3 months after the first Hobbit movie came out. We’ve watched the movies since they were little, listened to the audiobooks, etc. Same with the Narnia books and movies. These stories are so integral to my life and so GOOD that I didn’t want to wait. I wanted them to grow up immersed in it, like I had.
Yes! I completely agree about Narnia too! Is it selfish to indoctrinate them into my favorite stories? 😅
Very interesting perspective, good to think about it. Do you think it will affect their appreciation of the books later in life?
I would hope so!! I remember watching them and then being eager to listen to my own mother read the books to us as a kid so hopefully it will translate! If they’re like me, they will pretty much devour any related content. Haha