Parenting

You Can Be Anything You Want to Be

ParentingPublished May 27, 2016
By CafeMom Contributor
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We went to see the movie Zootopia on opening night here in Rhode Island! My kids had been counting down for the opening for weeks and it was so much fun seeing their excitement and anticipation. I actually had the opportunity to head to Orlando for a press trip for the movie a few days before it was released and I just FELL IN LOVE with the movie. I loved everything about it -- the message, the characters, the music and the incredible animation of Zootopia.

If you haven’t had a chance to see Zootopia yet, it’s from the magicians over at Walt Disney Animation Studios and it’s available on Blu-ray™, Digital HD & Disney Movies anywhere on June 7th!  You can get your copy here: di.sn/6006BmY4p Disney created a smart comedy-adventure set in the modern mammal metropolis of Zootopia (that you will want to visit!).  You get to know the main characters immediately and really feel part of their story, and in return – journey. Determined to prove herself, Officer Judy Hopps, the first bunny on Zootopia’s police force, jumps at the chance to crack her first case – even if it means partnering with scam-artist fox Nick Wilde to solve the mystery. It’s the twists and turns in the movie that you will enjoy, as well as the smart and funny comedy from the characters. There’s something for everyone in this movie, young to old… it’s the perfect family movie for everyone to enjoy.

For me, what truly resonated the most throughout the movie was the incredible message that “you can be anything you want to be” if you work hard enough.  You just need to believe in yourself and follow your dreams.

This message is something that children – even as young as 3 years old! – can embrace in this movie and it’s just extraordinary.  Zootopia makes it easy for the children in the audience to understand this message because they showcase Judy Hopps working her tail off to become the first bunny cop. She doesn’t stop (even when her parents wanted her to) going after her dreams. She keeps going and she didn’t give up! She went after her dreams until they became reality.

I sat in the theater watching my children watch this movie. Since I had seen it and knew what the core message of the film was about, I wanted to see their reactions to certain scenes. I grew up with 2 parents who always encouraged me and my siblings to go after our dreams. I remember telling my mom I wanted to be just like Katie Couric when I was a grown up… it meant the world to me that she believed in my dreams as much as I did! She drove me to Boston and New York City looking for internships in college to further go after this goal. When I was a senior in college I got an internship working at our local ABC affiliate in Providence and my mom and dad would drive me to the station in the snow and sleet and rain, so I wouldn’t have to miss a day because I didn’t have a car in college! They always believed in me and let me dream the bigger dream. I will always appreciate what they gave me… the desire and determination to go after my dreams!

I actually still have this note hanging in my office that my mom gave me when I was in high school…

Now being a mom to my own little squad, I want them to always remember and embrace the VERY message of Zootopia – YOU CAN BE ANYTHING YOU WANT TO BE.

My son Alex wants to be a professional football player… who am I to tell him NO? My son Ben wants to play for the Red Sox… who am I to tell him NO? My son William wants to swim fast like Michael Phelps… who am I to say that’s not possible? My son Henry wants to create video games… who am I to say he can’t? My daughter… she wants to be a princess – why not, right!?

I want my children to always believe in themselves and to think anything is possible in life. They will have to work hard to go after their goals and dreams, but it makes them even sweeter once they’re accomplished. The beauty of Zootopia is allowing children to dream big NOW and to always know that in life… they can create their own destiny and path! They just need to believe in themselves and have people to encourage them along the way! One of my favorite parts in the movie is when Judy wants to just go back to being a carrot farmer and it’s Nick who comes to her and tells her to not give up! That part made me tear up because you can’t always do it by yourself, you need family and friends to be there as your tribe and biggest fans.

You need this gem of a movie in your house! Such a wonderful movie to watch over and over again! Bring home this hilarious adventure full of action, heart and tons of bonus extras that take you deeper into the world of Zootopia on JUNE 7th!! That’s right, it’s available on Blu-ray™, Digital HD & Disney Movies anywhere on June 7th! I will be first in line!! It truly is big fun for all shapes and species!!

Audrey McClelland, a social media consultant and brand advocate is the founder of MomGenerations.com, an online destination for mothers featuring over 1300 videos and 7000 postings on the latest trends in fashion and beauty for moms, kid fashion, baby gear, product reviews, toys and many other pieces of advice for busy moms.

Disclosure:  Sponsored posting with CafeMom and Disney.

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