Great Movies for Mom and Daughter

List of terrific dvds moms and tweenage daughters will like

Nov 30, 2007

Somewhere between "Barbie as Rapunzel" and "Thelma and Louise" are movies that moms and daughters can both enjoy for some great bonding time.

Whenever my nine-year-old daughter comes up to me for a snuggle, it’s a bittersweet moment. Even as I’m cuddling with her, I wonder—how long do I have before she enters that tweenage stage of not wanting to acknowledge that I exist? Until that happens, my goal is to create as many bonds and experiences with her as I can. One of my favorite ways to do this is to settle in for a movie that suits us both-somewhere between “Barbie as Rapunzel” and “Thelma and Louise” are a number of great movies that a mother and daughter can both enjoy. Here are our top picks.

1. Princess Diaries– original and 2 (Rated G)—because it’s everybody’s dream to be a princess. Only, we didn’t imagine that we’d be as klutzy as lovable Mia. As a teenager, Mia learns that she is heir to the throne of fictional Genovia. Mia, however, is a gawky but smart young lady who must somehow merge who she is with the expectations of a princess. The quiet romance between Julie Andrews and Hector Elizondo is also delightful.

2. Akeelah and the Bee (Rated PG) – outstanding movie about a girl in a poor L.A. neighborhood who at first hides her intelligence so she’ll fit in. She discovers a new world of spelling bees, and is able to go farther than she’d dreamed. The Marianne Williamson quote about our deepest fear is one every girl (and mother) should hear. (Warning: There’s a little rough language, but it is befitting the story line.)

3. Freaky Friday (Rated PG) — I loved this book when I was a kid, and the movie is even funnier. When the mom and daughter in the movie mysteriously switch bodies, they find that life on the other side isn’t so easy.

4. Finding Nemo (Rated G) —in addition to the chance to speak “whale” to each other, the movie gives a poignant lesson about leaving home and letting go.

5. High School Musical –original and HSM 2 (No rating). A squeaky clean tale of high school angst set to music. You may not want to admit it, but you’ll be humming “Fabulous” before you know it. And your daughter will think you rock.

6. Incredibles (Rated PG)—one of the few animated movies we still enjoy, the Incredibles is about a family of superheroes who have had to hide their abilities. Among them, Violet, the daughter, can become invisible. Even when she’s not invisible, she often hides most of her face behind her hair, but as the movie progresses and she becomes more confident in herself, she shows herself to the world.

7. Ice Princess (Rated G)—Another tale of mother and daughter going in opposite directions, and then finding their way back to each other. High school daughter Casey is getting ready to apply to Harvard when she discovers competitive ice-skating. Mom thinks skating is silly and vain. Some good conversation about what is beauty –is it the costumes, is it strength and grace?

Two more to enjoy at the movies now, or later on DVD: Game Plan, starring the Rock (Moms need eye candy too) or our current delight, Enchanted.

So, make a quick Blockbuster run, then come home, grab a big bowl of popcorn, settle in together, and enjoy this precious time.

The copyright of the article Great Movies for Mom and Daughter in Parenting Tweens is owned by Pamela DeLoatch. Permission to republish Great Movies for Mom and Daughter in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.