What would you do if….

EDWHIP · October 2014

you found out your in-laws were letting your 3.5 year old daughter watch Walking Dead? Cuz that happened. I am thankful for the free babysitting, which is why the situation is a little awkward for me. Have DH talk to them?

kellbell1982 · October 2014

When I was a small child like two and three, my pop pop would watch nightmare on elm street with me and the exorcist! My parents didn't mind but me being a parent now I'm not sure I'd be comfortable if my dd was watching that stuff but she hates scary stuff and I loved it. How does your child feel about it? I'd have your H talk to them, it seems common sense to me not to allow others children to watch somethin like that, perhaps they just weren't thinking?

MissyCee · October 2014

Um yea, H would be talking to them and I wouldn't allow them to watch her alone anymore. That is not ok by any means. It's great it was free but it's not worth it if you know she's watching things that are highly inappropriate for her.

ruemorgan · October 2014

I would say something. They could have easily put on another show.

kella0708 · October 2014

If you're not ok with it (which judging by your post you're not) then your H needs to talk to them, plain and simple.

I've had nightmares after watching Walking Dead. I can't imagine the thoughts a 3 year old would have after seeing that!

EDWHIP · October 2014

Thanks for the input. I don't think my in-laws meant any harm, but I'd like them to know that I wasn't psyched about the situation. My daughter can't stop talking about zombies now. I think I will leave it up to DH for now. He was not happy about it, but is bad at talking to his folks.

EDWHIP · October 2014

@kella0708 I don't even watch the show, but apparently she saw a scene where someone was biting someone else's throat out. Even though she doesn't show her fear, I don't doubt that there will be nightmares.

cafecreme · October 2014

Yea, hell no. I'm scarred from watching scary/ PG 13/ R movies too early. GI Jane came out when I was 4, my dad took me to it, and the word Fuck and her shaving her head is forever ingrained in my brain.

starsailorr26 · October 2014

That's terrible. I'm a huge fan of the show, my DD is the same age as yours and I would not let her watch that. I'm sorry but free sitting or not, your DH needs to have a talk with them because that's just not okay. If he doesn't, then you have to. That is really messed up.

kella0708 · October 2014

EDWHIP said:
@kella0708 I don't even watch the show, but apparently she saw a scene where someone was biting someone else's throat out. Even though she doesn't show her fear, I don't doubt that there will be nightmares.

A lot of violence and gore. It's rated MA for a reason!

EDWHIP · October 2014

My sister is 10 years older and often babysat me as a baby. When I was 3 she made me watch Friday the 13th and I had reoccurring nightmares about being on a mattress and a drill going up my throat. I feel like the damage has been done. Here we go! Def talking to them.

aylaroman15 · October 2014

I would definitely politely ask them to refrain from letting her watch that type of stuff. If they have a problem with that then there's a problem. Even though they are watching your child for free you're still her mother.

EDWHIP · October 2014

@aylaroman15 polite is the key…and I am not sure how to do that, lol.

aylaroman15 · October 2014

@EDWHIP‌ yeaaa I'm not so sure I could do it politely either without sounding like an ass. In my mind you'd just automatically know it's not okay to let children watch a show like that.

EDWHIP · October 2014

@Darbie914 DH was telling me about that episode. ROUGH!

beatlesgal4 · October 2014

...I sang out of tune? Would you stand up and walk out on me?

Sorry, not sorry! I love that song!

In all seriousness, I agree with pps. Politely talk to them about it because that could be terrifying to someone so young. There's enough awful shit in this world that she'll be exposed to sooner or later as it is. (Don't get me wrong- I love TWD!)

CoozieInMyPurse · October 2014

Agree! That's not cool! Have H talk to them (make sure he is firm)!

Whitfry · October 2014

I am a Walking Dead addict. I hormone-cried through this season's premiere. I would never allow a small child to watch it, though, and I would side-eye the hell out of anyone who did.

I wonder what made your in-laws think this was even remotely appropriate for such a young child? Were they just not paying attention to her? Did they think she was doing something else? Not that these are acceptable excuses, but I'm genuinely curious to know their reasoning.

koshveily · October 2014

Oh heck no. I'm still scarred from watching gremlins when I was 4. No way would I EVER be okay with anyone exposing my kids to that crap.

Certainly DH could talk to them... But I'd be just as likely to explain to them that I really only allow kid-friendly shows.

Shebamommy · October 2014

No way. I would definitely have your husband talk to them and explain that it's not appropriate.

EDWHIP · October 2014

So basically she was supposed to be in bed. It was late and the in-laws were watching WD. DD kept creeping out because she wasn't sleeping. MIL would cover her eyes, but she still wanted to watch. I guess there was no series effort to shield her from it.

peeppeeppeep · October 2014

Not okay - what were your ILs thinking?!!!! Really. I mean, a three year old in the room with that show! I know kids will be exposed to violence, and I'm not advocating keeping them in a bubble, but that's just idiotic. I would have a hard time trusting their judgment about much regarding your kids after that.

Lady Leigh · October 2014

This is why my son doesn't go over to my IL's without me or my husband there

wishiwaspreggo · October 2014

Maybe this is a UO but that doesn't sound too bad. My parents would let me watch a host of inappropriate things when I was little (shows and movies like Oz, Perverted Science, Tales From the Crypt, Poltergeist). Some of my nostalgia movies as an adult are incredibly inappropriate for children. I loved the movie Nothing but Trouble and told C it was one of my favorite childhood movies - she was horrified.

As long as it's not scaring her she'll be fine If she's coming home crying or has nightmares then I'd intervene and say no.

TwinsCitiesMomma · October 2014

Oh hell no! I would have a talk with them myself. Not cool

tatilopez · October 2014

Personally I love walking dead as an adult and to be honest when I have my windows open in another room and I hear my curtains move I get creeped out!!! Lol but my little sister who just made 4 loves karate movies I mean the ones where the actor is still speaking with his lips after the sentence is finished and she loves scary movies. My mom allows so long as there are no sex scenes or over kill with the killing scenes... My little sister is able to differentiate btwn reality and movies and shows etc. She is just amazed at the excitement and understands story lines. I'm sure your in laws had no harmful intent which is the most important thing seeing as I'm sure they love her and want the best for her. As a parent though u get to choose what your children are exposed to and when they are exposed to it! So your the governor on this one. And if you don't want your 3.5 year old to witness this show than by all means put a stop to it.... Good luck with the convo if you feel it needs to happen.

bumpuser10572325 · October 2014

My mil had to have that kind of conversation when ds was born. She didnt understand why we didnt want her to smoke in the house when we were there visiting. To get around it she would go outside with the baby to smoke. I think it was a matter of educating her since smoking was not a big deal to her during her pregnancy and child raising.

koshveily · October 2014

@EDWHIP‌ - Any updates? Did you talk to them?

EDWHIP · October 2014

@koshveily Not yet! It's a bit of a point of contention between me and DH. It also didn't help that we went away for a week before we were able to say anything.

ST3WD · October 2014

EDWHIP said:

@koshveily Not yet! It's a bit of a point of contention between me and DH. It also didn't help that we went away for a week before we were able to say anything.

Does this mean he thinks it's alright for the LO to see TWD? Or is more of an issue of confrontation avoidance on his part?

Regardless of who has the talk with your ILs, it's important for you two to present a united front on the situation. Have you offered to do it together?

EDWHIP · October 2014

@ST3WD Oh I definitely want to be there to tell his folks what I think, but DH thinks I am antagonistic. Really he is just afraid of his mom and confrontation in general. He wants to be the one to say something, but I won't be able to be there when it happens.

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