Handling Tough Topics for Kids on Netflix #StreamTeam

I’m a compensated member of the Netflix Stream Team.

If you’ve ever tried to talk to your children about peer pressure or talk to them about not being so obsessed with their cell phone all the time, you’ll know that addressing tough topics with your kids can be hard. Even with the littlest ones, it’s not always easy to explain why you can’t get them that cute puppy or why they need to be nice to their little sister. But, maybe with Netflix, using episodes from your kid’s favorite shows can help open the door for these tricky, sometimes awkward, conversations. (Hello, parents of tweens and teens!)

As you already know, Netflix has a HUGE variety of family-friendly shows that are not just fun but that explore a range of real-life issues with equal measures of humor, angst, and heart. No matter your situation, chances are there’s a show and episode that can kickstart a dialogue around those tough topics just by watching it together.

For the little kids

Sibling Rivalry
Watch Ep. S1E1: Babee’s Room
Buzzbee and Rubee compete over who Babee (their new sibling) gets to room with. Mom and Dad must explain to Buzzbee and Rubee that Babee needs to grow up before she can share a room.

Responsibility
Watch Ep. S1E1: Puppies & Guppies/ Sorry We’re Closed Today
Larry and Laura Carrot want to adopt puppies but quickly learn it takes responsibility in order to watch over and care for a pet of their own.

Following the Rules
Watch Ep. S1E6: Stormy Weather/ Baba’s Adventure/ Rock Music
Mama tells Oona and Baba to stay close with a storm approaching. After ignoring her advice, Oona and Baba get stuck in a seagull nest during the heavy thunderstorms.

For the big kids

Self-Love
Watch Ep. 113: Star
After Dulcinea feels like no one in the group needs her help, she tries to use a newly-discovered wishing star to show her worth — but fails — showing her that presence alone has lit up her friends’ lives all along.

Teamwork
Watch Ep. 103: Smart is the New Cool
After McKeyla insists she works better alone, she learns that four is better than one when her friends jump in to help her rescue the Prince from a botched space mission.

Peer Pressure
Watch Ep. 106: The Legend of El Explosivo
After getting grounded for sneaking off to Bobby Popko’s house, Jackson realizes he needs to stand up for what he knows is right and not give in to please his friends.

For the teens

Social Media FOMO
Watch Ep. 102: Girl Meets Boy
Cory challenges his class to unplug from their phones for a week. When Riley and her crush Lucas sit down to talk face-to-face, personal stories bring them closer.

Self Improvement
Watch Ep. 104: Kimmy Goes to the Doctor!
Kimmy quickly realizes that she can’t fix her problems by simply “Buhbreezing” them away – real change comes from the inside.

Body Image
Watch Ep. 101: #BootyCall
According to the kids of Degrassi Community School, butts are the new boobs. But Shay’s realization that “brains are the new butts” can speak to a number of body image insecurities.

New on Netflix for Kids, Tweens, Teens and Families

All Hail King Julien: Season 3
Animaniacs
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles III
Mako Mermaids: An H2O Adventure: Season 4
FernGully 2: The Magical Rescue

What ways have worked (or not worked) for you in the past when it comes to talking with your kids about tough topics? I’d love to hear about some of the best conversations you’ve had with your kids, and whether they were sparked by watching shows together.