I took the kids to see Diary of a Wimpy Kid 3 – a funny movie based on the book series about a misfit middle school aged boy and his other misfit friends and his quirky family. I liked it, but preferred the 2nd one better – probably because it featured the mother in a few more scenes and that is the character I relate most strongly to.
Although it’s fiction, it is about the real life experience of a somewhat geeky boy trying to fit in with the popular crowd at school, his older brother and also the girls he likes. My son has read the books and thoroughly enjoys the movie counterparts. I suppose it is the next step up for him in terms what happens in the life of a pre-teen kid and how they think and what goes on in their minds. This movie is all about the 3 month-long summer vacation and how he wants to spend his time playing video games instead of doing sports. It’s also about how he builds a positive relationship wtih his father who struggles to relate to him and vice versa.
It does have some very funny mishaps and it’s good family entertainment! Because it’s set in America, I can really relate to the experiences of the boy – I remember just how embarassing it was trying to get the guy I liked to sign my yearbook and going to the country clubs to the pool as the guest of my wealthier and more ‘to do’ friends and acting like I belonged there. I also remember the 3 month summers and how we struggled to fill our days doing the things our parents wanted us to do. However, for my son who is growing up in a completely different environment with a different way of doing things in a totally different type of school, these stories must really seem like fiction – even more than they actually are. He doesn’t believe that American kids get 3 whole months off school and the whole concept of having a sweet 16 party is totally fictitious to him.
I would love it if he could go to American middle school, just so he can experience some of what I did as a child and see that even though it’s a made-up story, it’s not all fiction.
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Hi Meg,
You can tell your son that the 3 month summer is a bit of fiction. I remember it as being 3 months when I was growing up, but my son is actually starting school back tomorrow. (We live in GA and the school year starts a bit earlier here than most others in the US.) We get out usually the Thursday or Friday before Memorial Day and we start back during the beginning of August. So I guess it is closer to 2 months. Maybe this will help your son not be too jealous!
On a different note, I found out a few weeks ago that my family may be relocating for my husband’s job to London after the holidays. I am so glad to have found your blog. It is helping me realize how much “UK” homework I am going to have to do to get my 2nd grader prepared for the different culture awaiting us. Whenever you share a learning moment that you have with your children it helps me tremendously. Thank you so much!!!!
Hi Kristen,
thanks for your comment. I’m so glad my blog has helped you. Good luck with the move if you do end up moving to London. You and your family will thoroughly enjoy it I’m sure. And let me know how you are settling in – might be a great guest blog post?!!