8 reasons why watching movies with the kids is the best family activity
As mums, many of us no doubt spend our weekdays thinking about ways to keep the kids entertained at the weekend (you know, after you've taken them to football and ballet and a friend's birthday party…).
'Will it be too wet for the park?'; 'will we risk the long trip to the beach?'; 'can we justify spending €40 playing bowling?'
Anything to get them out of the house and away from any form of screen – TV and phone.
But sometimes it's good to sit in front of the telly and watch a movie together, especially when it's lashing outside and you cannot face doing any form of baking with the kids.
And the following eight points will have you turning on the TV before you can say Moana.
1. The sitting down part
The fact that you can actually sit down. On your bum. And NOT feel guilty about doing absolutely nothing for the next two hours.
2. The treats. Oh the treats.
Jellies, popcorn, crisps, mini muffins you name it and no family movie night will be the same without it. Healthy eating diet? Pft… what healthy eating diet?
3. You can justify allowing the kids spent two hours in front of the telly
And down with any naysayers; you're spending precious family time together. Even if you aren't speaking or barely even looking at each other, you're still together – and sometimes that is all you need to be.
4. It gives you a chance to embrace some peace and quiet
Movie night is probably the only night when your little ones will sit down together without making a fuss about nothing. Yes, they may fight over what they want to watch or who's going to sit in the fancy chair – but once all that is done and dusted, they'll cuddle up with each other as they try to work together to keep the sweets away from Mum and Dad.
5. Did someone say pizza?
No movie night – and we mean NO movie night – would be the same without pizza. Cheese, pepperoni we aren’t really fussed on toppings, and sharing with the kids is probably the best part of it!
6. Let's talk about the cuddles
You can't have a movie night without dragging your giant duvet down from your bedroom and squishing in with the kids on the couch so everyone gets to have a go of it. Yes, you'll be too hot and, yes, someone will accidently kick someone in the stomach while they're trying to get comfy, but it's so worth it when FINALLY everyone has managed to settle down.
7. It's the only activity that the kids don't fight over
If your house is anything like ours, your kids will fight over the stupidest of things: so and so touched so and so's arm, Mary gave John a filthy look, their favourite toy is missing… But when it comes to deciding if movie night is a yay or a nay, well that's the easy part.
8. You don't even have to get dressed
It's perfectly acceptable to wear your pyjamas to movie night. No need to make sure the kids have clean faces or for you to root around your wardrobe for a respectable pair of trousers (and by respectable we mean clean). Or to have to traipse around the cinema car park in the rain because you can't remember where you parked. No, movie night at home means you can enjoy spending time with your kids without any HASSLE.
