I go to kids’ movies to cry. There, I’ve said it, it’s out.
My kids think I am the most sensitive person on the planet. I mean, all that elephant is doing is singing, for chrissake. And that Troll that’s finally found his voice, aww. And the Rabbit who feels betrayed and alone…okay, you get the point. But I’m ok with this, and I’ve made peace with the fact that I was the only person crying in the Snoopy movie. I don’t actually think there was anything to cry at in that one.
But here’s why it is good for you:
- No judgment. Everyone knows you’re friggin tired, that’s why you’re at this asinine thing in the first place, right? Because you are a mom? I mean, do you give a shit about Trolls? No. No you don’t. You think the whole premise is creepy even. But it was a long week, and some stuff went down, and you didn’t feel like talking to anyone about your stupid first world problems. So you have a good cry. No judgment.
- You don’t have to own up to it. It’s dark, no one can really see, and everyone is enraptured by the spectacular display of animation that we have today. I mean, wow. Even I can sometimes stop crying by just saying, wow, will you look at that. That is some amazing colour, right there. I can’t even imagine how they make this magic happen. And then you remember that you are kind of a giant child and that’s ok. But the thought may or may not make you cry.
- If you have some problem or other, like the leader of the free world is a megalomaniac hell-bent on destroying everything you care about and stand for, go see a kids movie. (After you protest). I mean, everyone else feels the same way (except that person who you now know doesn’t, and that person can kindly… (insert favorite insult here) and no one wants to hear you blathering on, because they are heartsick too, so you’re really just farting into the wind on that one. Just go and cry in the dark to a peppy soundtrack. It feels good.
- And…you don’t have to make dinner. You can eat fattening popcorn that you’ve already sworn off, but the butter smell is like crack to you, so what the shit. Just eat it. And get the candy. And the pop. Hell, spend more money than the tickets cost. You will all be ill and queasy because of all the flashing lights and the sodium intake and the sugar rush, and no one will want to eat for the rest of the night, which I consider a win-win. So sometimes… tears of happiness. One meal down, 5,230,783 to go.
- When you cry next to your children for no apparent reason they realize you are fallible, a human being. They realize you feel things strongly and that you really can sympathize with small, big-eyed animals that speak. They will look at you lovingly and smile, and say, Do you have any Sprite left, I have drunk all of mine. Except they wouldn’t say drunk, because they know somehow that is a bad thing whereas it is what you think might just do the trick, later.
- We all need catharsis. Releasing the dam in a safe, warm place is a good thing. This can also be what therapy is for, permission to have a good cry. Although after you add in all the candy and pop and stuff, it isn’t any cheaper than therapy… it can sometimes be more fun.
I think that’s it. I’m sure there are other reasons to go to a kids movie and cry, and let me know what I have missed. What it boils down to for me, is as an adult there is no safe place for crying. We are supposed to be tough adults that let things bounce off of us, that we only cry when we are really seriously hurt, like the time I broke my toe. Or the three times I might have done that. Anyway. So here is your permission people, go and have a good cry to pulsating lights and blaring loud music. Watch as the hero’s journey begins, and follow as our hero reaches rock bottom, and then falls even further than that, and then picks themselves up by their bootstraps. Revel in the glory that he or she feels, in how they overcame. Go ahead and cry about it. You’ll feel better, and no one has to know.