When I was little, I remember the shows I watched on TV being incredibly AWESOME. Things like She-Ra, The Care Bears, G.I. Joe, Jem, and other random cartoons that I can’t remember now. I’ve rewatched some of those shows since then. Some of them hold up, G.I. Joe – I’m looking in your direction. This was corny but still fun. The others. . .not so much. She-Ra was actually painful to re-watch. I don’t know how my parents suffered through some of those shows.

Now, i’m living the nightmare myself. Most of them are . . . okay. Some of them I just can’t though. This! This right here:

This one grates on my nerves but Scarlett loves it.

Then there’s this one:

This one, I just want to gouge my eyes out when she wants to watch this one. Don’t get me wrong, there are lessons to learn in all of these shows but some of them are just painful to watch.

There are, however, shows that I adore. I’ve already talked about Bluey. You can take a deep dive on that one in my previous blog. Sometimes, my husband and I will watch an episode of Bluey without Scarlett. The other day, she was giggling on the couch as she realized that the Dad got kicked in the nuts. She kept saying, “She kicked him in the penis, mommy,” while laughing hysterically. Simultaneously, Ross shaking his head in dismay as we both giggle – Scarlett because she finally realized why and I at my 6 year old daughter saying penis.

I’ll also accept Octonauts which is also repetative but there’s neat little creature reports at the end that gives you little nuggets of info about real creatures in the oceans and around. The song with the creature report is an earworm that will never leave your brain.

You’re welcome. Good luck getting that out.

The newest one, that I am WAAAAAY to invested in is Miracualous: Tales of Ladybug and Cat Noir.

This was originally a french cartoon that was picked up by Disney. The first three seasons are on Netflix and the fourth season is on Disney+. There are also two hour long movies on Disney+. There are fan wikis for this show. This is not just a kid’s show.

Granted, the plot for each episode is the same. Someone close to Marinette or Adrien gets taken over by evil from the only true villain Hawk/Shadow Moth and Ladybug and Cat Noir have to defeat them. There’s a joke in there around season 3 or 4 about the same person being “akumatized” 71 times. Scarlett, when they said that on the show looked at me said, “Poor Mr. Ramier”, knowing exactly who it was.

Yes, the plot lines are predictable . . . it’s a children’s show. However, the tropes are amazing and classic. I won’t spoil anything for you but the themes of being a teenager, facing problems that are bigger than yourself, etc. The themes that you look for in adult centered shows, are absolutely present here but in a more approprite way to speak to kids. I actually got mad/hurt because Scarlett watched a few episodes without me. I’m 43 years old and I shouldn’t be this invested. But I am. Scarlett is aware that if she wants to watch TV and I’m hedging about screen time, all she has to do is say, “we can watch Miraculous” and I’m all in.

I have a problem and I don’t even care. I keep an eye out for new episodes to drop on Disney+ and this is quality Mommy-Scarlett time where we enjoy the same show and talk about what’s going on. She may not pick up on some of the more mature themes (since Ladybug and Cat Noir are like 14), but she gets the gist and we talk about the other stuff she doesn’t understand.

What are the fun shows you enjoy watching with your kids?