Here’s a parenting truism: my daughter’s not going to like everything that I like, and I’m not going to like everything she likes.
My wife and I are culture hounds, so we want our daughter to dig good books, music, and movies. We’re seven years in, and she’s doing pretty well. She loved Charlotte’s Web, sings along with “Walking on the Moon” by The Police, and gladly watched The Wizard of Oz.
When she was four, I introduced her to a bit of pop culture I loved at her age: The Transformers. I had the toys, I read the comics, and I watched the cartoon. She seemed game. Pretty soon, she was singing the catchy theme song, and I was getting my nostalgia fix while she watched cartoons. Parenting score!
At some point (I’m not sure when), my daughter turned against The Transformers. Over the past couple of months, her antipathy has intensified, and it’s become a go-to joke.
“Can I watch cartoons?” “Yep. If you watch Transformers…” “Dad!”
“I got a movie for us to watch tonight.” “What is it?!?” “Transformers: The Movie.” “Dad!”
It culminated a month ago with her singing the tune of the theme song with altered words.
“Transformers / More than meets the eye!” became “Transformers / Catherine hates it so!”
Even I had to laugh at that one.
I certainly didn’t love everything my parents did (Thirtysomething or Twila Paris).
Plus, she nailed the syllables and rhythm. I lost the battle but won the war.
Learning Together 