Emotions, Movies, and Parenting: A Cheeky Look at *Inside Out 2*
Ah, *Inside Out 2*. A delightful journey back into the colorful mind of a 13-year-old with enough emotions to supply a reality TV show.
Who knew that watching animated feelings battle on the big screen could make us adults reevaluate our own emotional baggage?
The film dove headfirst into the deep end of adolescence, featuring Riley’s panic attack—because what’s more relatable than a heart that races like it’s been told it has to do a maths exam without a calculator?
It’s a bit like realizing, after all these years of being an adult, that those pesky feelings like anxiety should be addressed earlier than when you’re three glasses of wine deep at a family gathering.
A mother shared that perhaps if we had understood our emotions better as children, we wouldn’t be awkwardly navigating adulthood like a toddler in high heels.
Honestly, if only we had ‘normal’ emotional conversations instead of just yelling “you’re grounded!” every time they asked about feelings.
Enter child psychologist Payal Narang, who says we should start this emotional chat by the age of three.
Three! I mean, I was still struggling to pronounce “airplane” correctly at that age. But according to Narang, this is when kids can begin to verbalize their feelings—much to the shock of their parents, who often think their offspring are adorable little drones with no emotions at all!
Open communication about emotions—as simple as it sounds—can turn the tide for little Riley’s of the world.
Now, instead of just joy, sadness, fear, disgust, and anger, it’s all about anxiety, envy, embarrassment, and ennui, like a high school reunion of feelings you never wanted to see again.
Can we talk about how delightful it is that a child can now wrestle with ennui? What happened to being bored and playing outside?
But fear not, parenting influencer Stuti Agarwal observes that our understanding of the complex emotions from the film varies by age.
Her six-year-old was glued to the screen, while her three-year-old was likely trying to eat popcorn in the most creative way possible.
Yet, she insists we shouldn’t underestimate kids—they are perceptive creatures! Talk about emotional intelligence.
Children could probably run a therapy session better than some adults I know, especially when facilitated by a colorful Pixar movie.
Now, what’s the deal with ‘negative’ emotions? Parenting coach Nirali Jain points out that talking about good feelings is like a slice of cake,
while discussing bad ones is like eating the cake with a fork made of jelly. You know it’s there, but it’s a slippery mess you just can’t navigate.
When we dismiss feelings like anger and sadness, kids may turn into emoji-less mysteries—aloof, incapable of processing their emotional rollercoaster,
and suddenly their tantrums become a new Olympic sport we’re all just spectating.
So, how do we unwrap these complicated emotional gifts? Books and films are excellent conversation starters, much like offering a twin-scoop ice cream in the summer.
Agarwal suggests sharing your own experiences with negative emotions. Why not, right? After all, if a parent can show their struggle with sadness over misplaced car keys or a burnt toast,
that’s relatable! Encourage them to share their feelings; if they don’t, we might as well put a “For Sale” sign on their internal dialogue—it’ll go dormant like a hibernating bear.
Finally, let’s all remember this: every emotion has a purpose, even if some of them wear their negativity like a badge—fear protects and anxiety warns.
So as we dive into the emotional complexity of our kid’s mind, we’re not just preparing them to face their feelings;
we’re also drafting them into the world where the inner thoughts don’t just sit there sulking like a drama queen, but are articulated and understood.
If only approaching our emotions was as easy as throwing popcorn at the screen while we watched a film… well, at least for one day!
Azera Parveen Rahman is a writer currently based in Bhuj, Gujarat.
Also read: ‘I am bored’ need not make parents recoil in horror
It seems we’ve taken quite the adventure through emotions and parenting! Remember, being open to feelings is a cornerstone of good parenting—and hey, it’s great material for a stand-up routine too! Cheers to emotions and understanding the little beings that hold so much within!
The ongoing discourse surrounding Inside Out 2 continues to captivate audiences months after its cinematic debut. This film transcends mere entertainment, presenting profound insights for adults, particularly during the intense climax scene where the 13-year-old protagonist, Riley, grapples with a panic attack. As her heart races uncontrollably, Anxiety—newly introduced into her emotional landscape—takes charge, leading her on a tumultuous downward spiral. However, within this turmoil, a vital moment of self-acceptance emerges, revealing that her identity is a blend of both the positives and negatives she carries. A mother of an 11-year-old poignantly remarked, “Perhaps if we had understood these emotions better as children, we would have handled them better as adults,” highlighting a common reflection among parents today.
Counselors and child psychologists resonate strongly with this sentiment. They emphasize the necessity of discussing emotions—particularly the complex ones—with children as early as possible. These conversations serve as a foundational element in preparing them for life’s uncertainties and emotional challenges. Payal Narang, a Mumbai-based child psychologist, recommends initiating these dialogues when children are merely three to four years old. “At this age, children begin to recognise and verbalise their feelings, making it an ideal time to introduce concepts like anxiety, envy, and embarrassment in simple terms,” she elaborates.
Open communication about emotions equips children to better manage their feelings and nurtures emotional intelligence, which in turn fosters a robust parent-child relationship. Emotional competence, characterized by a child’s ability to articulate and control their emotions, is paramount. In the original film, audiences are introduced to Riley as an 11-year-old girl who is navigating the turbulence of relocating to a new city. The core emotions—Joy, Sadness, Fear, Disgust, and Anger—perfectly encapsulate her responses to various scenarios. The sequel, however, explores her as a now-pubescent teen, introducing four additional emotions—Anxiety, Envy, Embarrassment, and Ennui—thereby expanding her emotional repertoire.
Content creator and parenting influencer, Stuti Agarwal, highlights the varied interpretations of the film among her own children. Sharing an experience where she viewed the film alongside her six-year-old son and three-year-old daughter, she noted, “My son could understand most of the movie, my daughter not so much.” She firmly believes that children possess a remarkable capacity for perception, often surpassing adult assumptions about their understanding. By discussing intricate emotional topics as portrayed in the movie, parents can immensely contribute to their offspring’s emotional and mental well-being. Addressing negative emotions such as anger, sadness, and envy is particularly crucial in this developmental process.
“Talking about the good feelings is easy; about the bad ones, not so much,” observes Vadodara-based parenting coach Nirali Jain. She suggests that by openly sharing personal experiences with negative emotions and their management, parents provide children with valuable tools for recognizing and regulating their own feelings. Snigdha Anand, a Gurugram-based parenting researcher, appreciates how the sequel delicately unpacks the concept of ‘negative’ emotions. Although initially perceived as antagonists, the narrative ultimately reveals the essential roles of every emotion—fear shields us from immediate dangers, while anxiety guards us against potential threats.
To effectively navigate conversations about these significant feelings with young children, books and films can serve as beneficial catalysts, according to Agarwal. She fondly recalls post-film discussions about peer pressure and self-acceptance that flourished after reading the story Giraffes Can’t Dance with her son. Narang reinforces this notion, advising parents to share their own daily experiences and feelings and encouraging their children to do the same. “If a child does not learn how to share their feelings appropriately, they would start internalising it. That can lead to pent-up emotions for years and undue stress,” she cautions.
Azera Parveen Rahman is a writer currently based in Bhuj, Gujarat.
Also read: ‘I am bored’ need not make parents recoil in horror
Observes parenting coach Nirali Jain, emphasizing the challenge many parents face when navigating discussions about negative emotions. She likens the experience to enjoying a slice of cake—a sweet treat that parents readily embrace—while confronting tougher emotions feels like attempting to eat that same cake with a gummy fork.
When negative emotions are brushed aside, children may mask their true feelings, resulting in behaviors that leave parents feeling confused or helpless. Jain stresses the importance of openly discussing feelings like anger and sadness. Without this foundation, parents risk raising children who struggle to express their emotions, turning everyday challenges into overwhelming obstacles best handled by avoiding them altogether.
To facilitate these necessary conversations, both Narang and Agarwal recommend leveraging relatable resources such as books and movies. These mediums can serve as effective icebreakers, helping parents and children to mutually explore emotional landscapes. For instance, sharing times when the parent felt overwhelmed or disappointed can illustrate vulnerability and create a space for children to express their own feelings.
Ultimately, recognizing that every emotion serves a purpose is crucial. Instead of dismissing negative feelings, parents can guide their children to understand that emotions like fear and anxiety play protective roles. Acknowledging that these feelings are natural parts of life helps children to process and articulate their experiences more effectively.
As we delve into the complex emotional lives of children, we are not just equipping them for the turbulence of childhood and adolescence; we are preparing them for a more nuanced adult experience where their emotional vocabulary is rich and their ability to express themselves fully is cherished.
In this journey of emotional discovery, imparting resilience begins at a young age, allowing children to flourish in a world that increasingly requires both emotional intelligence and the ability to navigate myriad feelings with grace. Parents, by being open to these discussions, can create a nurturing environment where their children feel free to explore, share, and grow—much like Riley learns to embrace all her feelings, making her story resonate with audiences young and old.
