Tuesday 9 September 2008

Here I Go Again

Last night I went to see the sing-along version of Mamma Mia. The only complaint I have is that in the half-empty cinema, my two friends and I felt too self-conscious to dance in the aisles.

Seriously, folks, if you are feeling down in the dumps, get to a cinema and watch this wonderful film. I went the first time with my husband, who was one of five men in the cinema. Yet he managed to relax and soon was singing along and laughing and enjoying himself for the first time in months.

I remember reading about a woman back in the 60s who was going through a divorce and went to see The Sound of Music about 50 times. I think Mamma Mia will be my Sound of Music. It makes me forget all the worries and strife that are so much a part of my daily world right now.

On to other matters, I read about a new website for parents of teens today. This is such an important yet challenging time in a child's life. Just yesterday I was talking to a friend who is having trouble with her 15-year-old getting drunk at parties. I'm no angel, having done just that myself when I was 15. However, I have the benefit of experience and hindsight and can see how dangerous and damaging it can be. My daughter asked last week when it would be OK for her to drink socially. I said 18, which is when it's legal here. She was disappointed. But I told her that teens need to be very careful about drinking -- who they're with, where they are. It's too easy for girls and boys to get into bad situations. Near us is a town with lots of nightclubs. Nearly every weekend there is a violent episode between two or more young men. Girls get into cars with virtual strangers and end up assaulted or even dead. And then there's what binge drinking can do to their livers and brain cells.

I repeat: I'm no angel. But I wouldn't mind if my two children were.

7 comments:

J said...

I loved Mamma Mia, too. It's coming home on DVD as soon as it's released.

And over the weekend I was watching The Sound of Music while exercising. :-D

Ditto on your last remark.

Kim said...

That fact that she is asking you is a wonderful sign that you're on track with her. Good for you.

wakeupandsmellthecoffee said...

j.: I plan to buy the DVD too.

kaycie: I suppose so. She had an almighty strop though when she heard I'd been invited to the same party she's going to.

Expat mum said...

Ooh, going to the same party as your teen. My middle one insists on walking about ten steps ahead of the rest of the family, as if anyone's going to think he's not with us. Don't know what he'd do if I was at the same party. The strange thing is he likes me and we get along wel??

wakeupandsmellthecoffee said...

Wow, that is strange. My children disdain and despise my husband and me. Why oh why does menopause have to happen at the same time as their adolescence?

Exmoorjane said...

Yup, it's on my list - haven't made it to the cinema yet and looks like it'll be a DVD job for me too. But boy do we need feelgood films.
What's the teen website? Is it any good? Seem to know a lot of friends with troublesome teens right now.. I have all this to come..the joy! jx

Unknown said...

I saw MM twice! Second time was the sing-along version. And yes, I danced in the aisles!