I loved family movie nights as a child. The idea of snuggling up on the couch with a blanket and a cup of hot chocolate on a Friday night helped me get through many long weeks of school.
Having a family member with disabilities made family movie night a little more challenging. My brother had trouble sitting still and often had to move around or bounce while watching the movie. When something got too intense, or if something went terribly wrong in the movie, he grew quite anxious. He wanted to participate in the fun family activity of watching movies, but struggled with the commitment of being quiet and sitting still for nearly two hours straight. If your child is similar, here are a few tips you can try to make family movie night more enjoyable. They will require some patience and tolerance from the other family members present but hopefully help everyone enjoy themselves a little more on movie nights. Find a way for them to move. If your child struggles with sitting still, forcing them to stop moving may not be the right solution. Instead, get an inflatable exercise ball for them to bounce on while watching the movie. If they need to do something with their hands, give them a stress ball to squeeze or a stuffed animal to hold. Two LEGO bricks to click together and pull apart would work too, as long as the sound is not distracting. If it is necessary for your child to sit still, consider purchasing or making a weighted blanket or lap pad. Tell them it is okay to leave the room. Let your child know before the movie starts that, if the movie becomes too intense for them, it is okay to leave the room and take a break for a while. The movie can keep running so the rest of the family can enjoy, and you can let your child know when the intense moment is over. Take a break. If your child simply needs a break from the action and the rest of the family is okay with it, pause the movie for a few minutes. Let everyone get up and stretch, make some popcorn, or discuss their favorite part of the movie so far. If you have any other tips, please share them in the comments section below! -Gillian Smit, 4/3/17
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