Holiday in Handcuffs

[JanaBanana]

Why they would stick this garbage on the ABC Family Channel is beyond me! My kids wanted to watch it...it was not a holiday show I would recommend for kids, or atleast not something my kids will watch... I changed the channel. Why do they always think they need to put sex and homosexuality in EVERYTHING?! :-?

[Trevor]

ABC Family has never really been a family channel as I would define. Almost every thing I see on it seems to be full of sex references (Whose Line is it Anyway), so I would never let young children watch it.

That said, sex doesn't bother me and I watch ABC Family quite often.

I watched Holiday in Handcuffs last night. The more adult themes/references didn't bother me at all. What bothered me was the mediocre script and horrible acting.

I've watched dozens of made for cable type holiday movies this month, and Holiday in Handcuffs was perhaps the worst.

[Holiday]

My family had "movie night" at my parents house Sunday night (after we had a birthday party for my Dad - he turned 80!) & this was the movie we watched. It was all adults in the room (excpet for my niece who is a sophmore in high school) & it was an ok movie for all of us. There were a few things that made us all laugh..it got a little corny...but it was a good "movie night"...it was nice to have a movie that none of us had seen before, but it could have been better.

[ChristmasBroadband]

Why they would stick this garbage on the ABC Family Channel is beyond me! My kids wanted to watch it...it was not a holiday show I would recommend for kids, or atleast not something my kids will watch... I changed the channel. Why do they always think they need to put sex and homosexuality in EVERYTHING?! :-?

I was surprised by that too. I asked my wife, "This is on ABC Family?!" I was hoping no young kids were watching.

[officepro4u]

My kids and I almost watched this movie. WHEW! Glad we missed it. I don't know why they have to "Sex Up" a Christmas movie for heaven's sake. GEEZ!! I am certainly no prude, but a Christmas movie...come on!!

Dianacheesy

[JanaBanana]

Oh me neither, I dont mind for myself or hubby, but this was a family movie and my children need to be just that, children. They dont need to hear people talking and using the term "How many men have you slept with? How many have you boinked?"
Sex is just thrown in everything and was really hoping it didnt have to creep into our Christmas movies :(

[officepro4u]

I totally understand Jana!! If it's advertised as an adult Christmas movie or not on ABC FAMILY (emphasis on the word family) you expect it to be okay for kids. Kids are already inundated with sexual talk, inuendos and scenes in just about everything made. It seems like Christmas should be sacred and kept from all that. What is this world coming to?

Diana

[Annette1990]

I personally have never seen this movie. But I agree with the rest of you..and that is young children shouldn't be allowed to watch this. At least not my child. I tend to shield her and let her be a child while she can. Kids seem to grown up to darn quick these days. And there is plenty of time for all that and it doesn't have to be when they are young and very impressionable.

[MarthaK]

I'm in total agreement with JanaBanana about the show. I was disappointed and turned it off quickly. They should have just stuck with "The Sons of Mistletoe" "Santa Clause 2" and "The Polar Express."

I guess the offense is a Disney thing. Even their latest movie "Enchanted," which is promoted as a family movie, comes with a content disclaimer for young children!
It's only a matter of time before Mickey slips a fleeting "f-word" or Minnie has a wardrobe malfunction.

[kelly ann]

I'm quite looking forward to seeing Enchanted. I'm not too worried about the adult disclaimer or anything, I'll let my daughter watch it.

I haven't seen Holiday In Handcuffs, the title sounds like a porn movie though, may I ask what was this film about anyway?

I think maybe people are overreacting a bit here too.

[JanaBanana]

Its the "under-reacting" behind why these shows are shown. Dont see how you can say we are overreacting by wanting to protect our children from filth. If you want your child exposed to that then by all means grab a bag of popcorn and enjoy Kelly Ann.

[kelly ann]

Hey Jana

Look I have never seen the film to know what it was about anyway. I just dont think you can shield your children away from everything, that's what I'm saying. No matter how hard you try it's not possible. I said I was looking forward to seeing Enchanted, which is a disney film anyway, so I'm sure there's no filth in that. Or at least it shouldnt be, because then I would be mad. I didnt mean to cause offence but the film title 'Holiday in Handcuffs', sounds Off anyway so I'd probably wouldnt have turned the film on, but i cant get ABC over here. My daughter has seen worse in Spongebob Squarepants and she's as normal as any other kid!!! xx

[kelly ann]

Please dont get the impression I'll let my daughter watch stuff like that anyway, I wouldnt watch it myself. I didnt read you post about the film and yes it does sound disgusting for a ''family'' movie, maybe you ought to complain to the channel??

[JanaBanana]

No but I can shield them from a lot.. I have done great so far :) My 15 year old hasnt ever seen a rated R movie there are some PG 13 that should not be rated at that. ("You me and Dupre"is one that comes to mind.) .. they dont watch a lot of things others may let their kids watch... I just think its a part of life they do not need to be exposed to. Yes they are going to see things in life that may not be appropriate, but I will do my job as a mom to avoid those that I can. My kids are really well balanced great kids.
Many kids are allowed to watch stuff like American Pie. Not mine.

Merry Christmas

[kelly ann]

Say. how would you react if your 15 year old went to stay at a friends house and they were watching films like American Pie (I've never seen it myself), are you going to allow him/her to be like others and relax your rules or won't you? When do you think is the appropiate age for them to ''think for themselves'' Im not having a go here just asking, mother to mother!!:)

My daughter's only three and she already says Spongebob is disgusting!!! lol!! My father in law had it on the tv the last time we visited and she said ''that's disgusting, that is'' We couldnt help but laugh at her, even at her age she knows a lot. In my house we dont watch a lot of TV (terrestial), mainly DVD'S, xmas ones , comedies etc. I dont like violent films or horror or anything like that and I agree kids dont 'need' to see that. But they are going to reach a certain age where they're just going to be like their friends and you cannot stop them then.

[officepro4u]

I am with Jana on this one. Yes, they are exposed to things us parents don't want them to be exposed to, but certainly not in my home or under my watch.

They can "think for themselves" when they are 18 and/or leave my home. They are still children until then.

My son (13) has actually called me from a friend's house to ask if he can watch what the friend suggested for a movie. If it's inappropriate, I say no. If I have seen it and know it's okay, I say yes. It's that simple.

Now..am I disillusioned that he has NEVER watched anything that I wouldn't like, no, but he knows better and knows that it wouldn't ever be because I LET him.

[kelly ann]

Yes I agree with you on that. It would be nice to keep our children as children for longer, sadly these days they are all growing up too fast.

[JanaBanana]

Without even reading Diana's post I was going to post that almost word for word.. then she had replied what I was going to say.. :)

My children are just that, children. Not adults to make adult decisions. Same questions have been posed to me with "What if your daughter comes to you and says she loves a boy and is ready to have sex? Wont you then support her and put her on birth control?"
Not only no, but hell no. If my child was old enough to come to me and say thay are ready for an adult act then they are ready to move out and take care of themselves. We teach our children what it says in the bible about sex before marriage...
My older 2 children have both been to friends houses (11 and 15) and they always have called to ask me if they could watch certain movies. Not only that the parents where my children go know me well enough to respect our choices.
It is my job as a parent to do this... too many parents ARENT parents and want to be more of their kids "buddies" and if you walk into any middle school/ highschool you will see the results of this. Little heathens that have respect for no one.
I can hold my head up proud, point to my children and be happy to say they are mine :)

No they arent perfect, they will do things to make me scratch my head, but thats part of life is about.

[Annette1990]

I totally agree gals. It is our job to raise and protect our children. I personally feel when our children are raised with morals and values they are more prone to make better descions even into there adult lives. That was my parents...They were 110% dedicated to all 7 of us kids. They were our parents we respected them. There was no such thing as my parents being a "buddie". They were totally involved in our lives and the descions we wanted to make...from dating, curfews etc. And it shows to this day. I am proud to say none of us were teenage mothers/fathers..involved in alcohol or drugs, in trouble with the law etc. We were not allowed to wear revealing clothes, talk filthy or watch any movies with cussing, nudity etc. I am like this with my daughter, 110% involved. It's my job to keep her on the straight and narrow and not be influenced by others who are allowed to do whatever they please. And with her only being 6 it does show. She is excelling in school, is in the gifted and talented class and I know as she grows older and knows I am not going anywhere she will continue this path. Sure there may be disagreements but I will stand my ground and she will thank me for it later (in life).

[JanaBanana]

Yep Annette! Very true.. I came from a family exactly opposite yours. Low morals, low values, let us do what we wanted... ect... out of 6 of us Im the only one that graduated highschool, has stayed married and doesnt do drugs.. 2 of my brothers have been in prison, and 3 of my siblings are drug addicts. Meth and worse... not very proud to call them my family, I have nothing to do with them and Im ok with that... they arent someone I want in my life or my childrens..

You're very correct when you say that children will grow up making better decisions as adults when they are raised with morals and values... I wasnt, wish I was... but as a very young child (9 years old) I told myself I was NOT going to be like my sisters and brothers. No one can even believe that I am related to people like that..

Ok we got off topic sorta :D
I am very happy with the way I am raising my kids and screening their television viewing is something that I will continue. My kids often thank me for being the mom I am as they see how a lot of the classmates have to live :(

[kelly ann]

I have 100% respect for you Jana, I hope to bring my daughter up as well as you have raised your children!!!:sparkle:

[JanaBanana]

Aww thank you Kelly Ann :) Very sweet of you.... raising children is hard work, but we moms are up to the task.
Merry Christmas!!

[Annette1990]

That's great Jana. I understand what you are saying. This is pretty much how my dad was raised. Allowed to do what he wanted..dropped out of school in the 8th grade, had alcholics for parents...not a great childhood to say the least. Later in life he got his diploma. He raised all of us kids just the opposit as he was raised. And I am so thankful for that. He could have been the same as his parents were to him and his sisters but chose a different life for us. He has always been a dedicated father and husband. Both in the home and outside of the home with his work and providing for a family of nine. kuddos to you friend for doing a great job with your own family=)

[JanaBanana]

Thank you Annette! Sounds like you have pretty special father there ;)

[Mumof2]

All movies now have some sort of sex theme in it and I can't understand why,most movies have it in there and there is No need for it. for it to be in a Christmas movie is even worse. I dont want to explain adult things to a 6 and 7 1\2 yr old,I shouldnt have too ya know.

[santababy2]

I loved that movie.

[purplecrush]

I actually loved that movie too