J. Kear

This movie was timely and personal for our family. I left home for a month this past year to see out of state doctors for mental health needs. My husband watched this movie with my 10, 5, and 2 year old and when the mother (well played by Jennifer Garner) left home to see special doctors it triggered an emotional response from my 5 year old. At that time my husband was there to turn the movie off for the time being and talk with my son. The next day I watched it with my 5 year old and it was a great opportunity to allow him to process his emotions and confront his fear of me leaving. Parents should be aware of the possibility of an emotional response from their child, but I encourage you to use it as an opportunity for discussion and comfort. Children don't always know how they are feeling or how to express it, for us it was an eye opener that my 5 year old was still hurting and now we are better educated parents for it. I don't believe shielding our kids from strong emotions is beneficial, they will be confronted at some point and they will be better off if they can walk through those emotions with an adult.