Yesterday morning, I was laying in bed thinking about the long weekend that we had just enjoyed. As I lay there I thought about all the things that we did; which mostly included lounging and watching movies. Together, my daughter and I watched four movies including Luca, Encanto,
All I Want for Christmas with Mariah Carey, and Alice in Wonderland. While each one was really great, I decided to share the messages from each movie that I want to instill in our daughter.
I’m also linking each movie using my Amazon affiliate links. Remember, shopping through my links does not change the price you pay.
Luca, 2021 Film
Seeing that I have an adoration for mermaids, I knew that I would enjoy watching Luca. Not only this, but it was my first time seeing a film that stared a male mermaid. Typically, mermaid books and films are centered around a female.
While I enjoyed the film to its entirety, I especially adored the part when the underdogs formed – which included Luca, Alberto, and Guilia.
There were a lot of messages in the movie, but what stood out to me most of all as a mother was that we can’t hold on to our children so tight that we don’t give them the opportunity to learn, grow, and explore.
I do understand that Luca disobeyed his parents, which was not good, however, I loved that his exploration and a bit of disobedience lead him to a life that would have only been a dream had he not pursued it all.
Watch Luca on Prime Video
Encanto, 2021 Film
Encanto is another pleasant movie that we enjoyed over the weekend. There was so much to digest in this movie. However, I particularly fell in love with the bravery that Mirabel exuded.
I loved how Mirabel had the guts to stand up to her grandmother and let her know how she and everyone else was feeling about not ever being enough for her. While it was an emotional moment in the film, it was needed and Mirabel was certainly brave enough to tackle it on her own, even if it came from a place of anger and hurt.
Another moment where Mirabel showed her bravery was when she faced her fear of not having a gift/door open for her but was still able to help walk her cousin down the aisle to his door when he was afraid. Again, Mirabel was extremely brave. She displays such bravery throughout so much of the film.
With Mirabel in mind, I want to always instill in my daughter to be as brave as she can be and to stand up for herself.
Watch Encanto on Prime Video
All I Want for Christmas is You with Mariah Carey, 2017 Film
The film, All I Want for Christmas is You is based on Mariah Carey’s hit song, All I Want for Christmas, as well as a book that she co-authored. The film features Mariah Carey’s music and narration in a loving story about little Mariah’s Christmas wish for a puppy.
In the midst of taking care of a stray puppy to get to her ideal puppy, she falls in love with the stray puppy. She also learns valuable lessons along the way such as not having to be perfect, allowing others to help you, etc.
I want my daughter to understand that she can strive for excellence without trying to be perfect at everything. Additionally, I want her to understand the flow of receiving. Oftentimes we are so heavily focused on giving that we forget that receiving is a practice alone.
Alice in Wonderland, 2010 Film
Okay, so, yes, I wanted to see the movie, Alice in Wonderland again, but I also wanted to see a few movies with Johnny Depp in them, especially after he appeared in Rihanna’s Savage X Fenty Show Volume 4. For whatever reason, I just felt the need to go back and watch a few movies with him in them.
Aside from this, I loved how after going through Wonderland, Alice appeared back at the gazebo with Hamish to inform him that she would not be marrying him. I also loved how she read the room and gave quite a few people a piece of her mind. I love her bravery and standing up for herself for something that she didn’t really want. And, in the end, she found herself setting sail to embark upon a journey that was satisfying to her soul.
I want my daughter to be brave enough to pursue things that she is interested in. I don’t want her to settle for things that she doesn’t genuinely have a passion for.
Watch Alice in Wonderland on Prime Video
Final Thoughts
In summary, there is no way I can share with you everything that I enjoyed about each movie, but I certainly wanted to share with you a few key messages that I want to share with my daughter from each movie.
Again, I’m linking the movies for you to check out yourself if you haven’t already. And, if you have, what is your key takeaway?
Photos courtesy of Amazon.
