Loki, Prince of Asgard, Odinson (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
coldsong) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
nexus_crossings2023-10-06 11:36 am
coldsong) wrote in nexus_crossings2023-10-06 11:36 am
On Age-Inappropriate Halloween Cinema
Up and down the Plaza, stores appear to have broken out spooky season decor. Bats, pumpkins, ghosts made from what look suspiciously like upcycled shower curtains, spiders made of pipe-cleaners, etc. Some of the bakeries have cakes topped with fondant witch hats. Some have pumpkin spice everything. Loki is sitting on a bench with black coffee, defying pumpkin spice season in a way he usually does not. Something's on his mind.
"I have four children, and while you wouldn't know it upon conversing with them, they've been through a lot in the past few years. They've seen horrors that adults should never have to face, and for the most part they've recovered awfully well." There are still therapy sessions, and will be until the children age out of them, but aside from that, they're pretty normal.
"I am prefacing this question with that information to give you context. What in the name of all that's holy am I supposed to do with a child that's developed a sudden irrational terror of clowns?"
"My youngest was visiting a friend and somehow caught part of Killer Klowns from Outer Space. I wouldn't have played this movie for them, not because I'd anticipate him having this reaction, but because it looks ridiculous. They kill their victims by turning them into wads of cotton candy, for fuck's sake."
Sigh. "But the mind of a child sees things differently, and now poor Eindrid is so petrified of the damn things it's got the girls jumpy, too. It's going to be a problem if we go Halloween shopping because they're all over the place. I would welcome any suggestions...except for exposure therapy. I'm not doing that to my children."
"I have four children, and while you wouldn't know it upon conversing with them, they've been through a lot in the past few years. They've seen horrors that adults should never have to face, and for the most part they've recovered awfully well." There are still therapy sessions, and will be until the children age out of them, but aside from that, they're pretty normal.
"I am prefacing this question with that information to give you context. What in the name of all that's holy am I supposed to do with a child that's developed a sudden irrational terror of clowns?"
"My youngest was visiting a friend and somehow caught part of Killer Klowns from Outer Space. I wouldn't have played this movie for them, not because I'd anticipate him having this reaction, but because it looks ridiculous. They kill their victims by turning them into wads of cotton candy, for fuck's sake."
Sigh. "But the mind of a child sees things differently, and now poor Eindrid is so petrified of the damn things it's got the girls jumpy, too. It's going to be a problem if we go Halloween shopping because they're all over the place. I would welcome any suggestions...except for exposure therapy. I'm not doing that to my children."
no subject
"The girls have less of an excuse for being scared, and I'm wondering if part of it is just that they want attention."
"Hmm..." a behind-the-scenes film has some merit, though he'd have to vet it himself first. "I can definitely look into that. Or maybe at least some children's media that has friendly clowns in it."
no subject
"A friendlier movie could work... assuming you can get them to even engage with it in the first place. I'd still say the best chance you have is breaking the illusion that there's anything to be afraid of in the first place. If you can get them to realize clowns are nothing more than people in colorful makeup, problem solved.... hopefully..."
She gives him a slight smirk, trying to stifle a laugh.
"As for the girls, yes, it's likely they're just looking for attention or feeding into it just because they can. Reminds me of something I would do when I was younger..."
Her lips curl into a wry grin.
"...or even just a few years ago... god I was such a little shit haha..."