Don't Divorce Me! Kids' Rules for Parents on Divorce

Let's be clear: These are candid trips down memory lane for young kids who've shouldered the stress of family break-ups. Surprisingly few of the subjects shed tears as they talk about rarely seeing a parent or having to move because of a divorce, but that doesn't mean you won't need a box of tissues as you watch and listen. Whether or not you've personally lived through the dissolution of a marriage, you can't help but feel for these innocent victims and imagine it's your own kids pouring out their hearts to the world about their family.

There is an inherent positive quality to the movie's exploitation of childish honesty. Do you doubt for a second that anything these kids say isn't true? No way. Does it cause you to think long and hard about how you act and talk within earshot of your kids? Absolutely, and in this regard, its message has a greater reach than just those families affected by divorce, since most of us could use a reminder about how kids absorb their surroundings now and then. Is this something you should watch with your kids? There's the sticking point, and it depends on a number of factors, including their ages, their sensitivity and anxiety levels, and how close to home the issue of divorce hits. For some, hearing other kids express emotions similar to their own might free them to talk about their feelings with you; for others, the subjects' sadness might hit too close to home and ramp up existing sadness. The bottom line? This is a masterfully designed documentary with important messages to share, but you need to preview it and weigh the pros and cons as they relate to your family's unique situation before you watch with your kids.