Years ago The Blue-eyed Girls Club (consisting of my daughter Suzy and I) went to movies . Mr. Wonderful and the rest of the clan were not with us when we we decided to sneak off. This movie came out in 1995 so Suzy would have been 16.

I knew what the movie was about because I had read the book and I carefully explained to my impressionable teen that the movie was about a married woman who had an affair while her family was away. I explained that I personally thought it was wrong, but I wanted to see the movie to see Clint Eastwood as a romantic lead instead of "the dirty Harry" character he usually played.

So....for two hours we sat in silence and watched the drama unfold. What followed was one of the best talks that she and I probably ever had. We began to discuss the movie and the question came up..."When did the heroine cross the line?' "When did the innocent flirtation become an invitation to sex?" We were free to openly discuss their actions and behaviors because they were not us. There was no guilt, shame or reproach but just honest observations.

We were able to see when the interest and flirtation subtly changed and what steps could have been taken to stop it . We also discussed what might have happened to the heroine's family had she run off with the National Geographic Photographer.

As a parent we make all kinds of mistakes.....this particular event I count as a high point of motherhood, what could have been just a few hours of escapism turned out to be a serious lesson on how easily it is to be swept away by our emotions and make bad choices.

Has a movie ever led to a serious discussion with your kids?

Labels: Monday memories, Movies, Suzy