When Funny Isn't Really All That Funny

Have you ever laughed at something-only to realize you were the only one laughing? Or have you ever had one of those ‘I guess you had to be there’ moments when you could hardly speak for laughing while everyone looked at you like you were crazy? So why is that? Is it because we don’t all have the same sense of humor? Is it because sometimes we find humor in things that aren’t really all that funny? Yes and yes. Everybody has their own sense of humor. But there are also times when we laugh at things we shouldn’t. When this happens it is usually because we don’t ‘get it’. We don’t understand what is actually happening.

That’s what happened the other day with four year-old Essie. She was watching “101 Dalmatians” and for some unknown reason, she decided Cruella Deville was funny. Every time Cruella would laugh, Essie would laugh and say, “She’s funny.” She thought Cruella’s hair was ‘crazy’ and even commented it was kind of like mine—black and white. (FYI: I still love her to pieces.) She even thought it was funny when Cruella was yelling at Horace and Jasper. But to top it all off, after watching the movie, she came up to Emma and me with her paintbrush in hand; taking it in and out of her mouth like Cruella does with her cigarette. 

After a surprised chuckle, Emma explained to Essie that Cruella isn’t really very nice or funny—that what she was doing was mean. But Emma didn’t just leave it there. She wanted Essie to realize for herself that Cruella wasn’t funny, so she asked Essie if she thought it was funny to hurt the puppies. Naturally Essie said no; giving Emma just the leverage she needed to make her point. As for the paintbrush/cigarette…Essie didn’t have a clue what that was about. She was just doing it because Cruella did. She is never around anyone who smokes, so telling her that Cruella was doing something that was bad for her body was enough to nip that one in the bud…at least we think so. 

Now before I give you the take-away on this one, I want you to know that I am in NO WAY WHATSOEVER saying I think “101 Dalmatians” should be removed from your kids’ movie selection. It’s a classic…a fantastic movie. I love it! My kids watched over and over again. They had Pongo and Purdy clothes, purses, stuffed animals, and figurines. I even still have some of the 101 Dalmatian tree ornaments that were so popular bac then. So I'll say it again, I have nothing against the movie. It just happened to be what sparked my thoughts for today's blog.

Now the point I want to make is this: As parents and grandparents, we need to be mindful and aware of what our kids are laughing at. We need to know so that we can teach them to discern whether what they are laughing at really is funny…or not. Seeing a classmate trip in the lunch line; sending their tray of food flying through the air is NOT funny. It is embarrassing. Seeing a puppy chase its tale--that's funny. Watching you dad try to do a cartwheel with you is funny. Laughing at your brother’s science project is NOT. 

Teaching your children the difference between funny and not funny is also a lesson in compassion, kindness, and good morals. Now tell me--would you ever have thought you could get all that from Cruella Deville? 

Love,
Momma D

                                         Copyright 2018 Darla Noble. No part of this can be used or copied without permission from the author.