What Lesson Can Your Children Learn from Rudolph? #ShineBright
7:00 AM
Since 1964, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer has been entertaining families at Christmas time. This year marks its 50th anniversary. It is the longest running and highest rated holiday special, and for good reason. Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer is not just a fun holiday show, it has a lot to teach us if we only dig a little deeper.
The boys and I have a lot of holiday traditions. One of them is curling up together each evening in December to watch a different holiday special. On December 9th at 8pm EST on CBS, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeers will be on our TV screen. It is one of our all time favorite holiday specials, and we can't miss it this year knowing it is the 50th anniversary.
The underlying theme of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer is celebrating our differences and understanding that they are what help make us unique. Unfortunately, bullying was an issue back in 1964 when Rudolph was first created, and it continues to be an issue today. My boys are homeschooled, and this is still an issue we struggle with, even within our own family.
My 12 year old Jordan for example. He has a freckles. Not one or two, but a multitide of amazing adorable freckles that truly are a part of who he is. He is often embarrased by them, and his brothers know this. So, when they want to be mean and hurt his feelings, they will make fun of his freckles. This year, I am going to use our viewing of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer to help bring up the topic of bullying with my boys.
Before Rudolph becomes the hero of the story, he is made fun of and teased by the other reindeer. It is not until he strikes out on his own and meets other friends like Hermey who are as distinctively different as himself that he begins to understand that he is indeed special.
PACER's National Bullying Prevention Center is inviting parents to use this classic story to help bring up the topic of bullying with their children. If you visit PACER.org, you can find a variety of tools to do just that, including discussion questions and an activitiy guide. The story of Rudolph has also come to life in an exciting eBook, which can be purchased on the PACER site as well, with $1 of the proceeds of each ebook sale will be donated to the PACER National Bullying Prevention Center. Also available are "ShineBright" t-shirts which also donate a portion of the proceeds to the cause.
Will you be taking the challenge to bring up the topic of bullying with your kids as you watch Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer on TV this holiday season? Visit PACER.org for resources and more information.
I am a ‘ShineBright’ Ambassador and have been compensated for my participation. All opinions are my own.
20 comments
I've watch this since I was a kid and it never really occurred to me that there were so many lessons to be learned from this :-)
ReplyDeleteThis is why I love Rudolph so much. When I first watched it as a kid, I could see the lesson it was teaching. I've been in love with it ever since.
ReplyDeleteAwe, love Rudolph, it's one of my all-time faves. Great lessons and a great way to give back too!
ReplyDeleteWhen I was little, I loved Rudolph because he was the underdog. Now that I have kids, I love Rudolph because it's a chance for me to teach them the consequences of being mean and why it's better to be nice.
ReplyDeleteMy kids are all grown {sigh - the holidays just aren't the same without little ones in the house}, but bullying was a huge no-no. We really worked hard on instilling empathy. All in all, I think we did a pretty good job. Great post.
ReplyDeleteI love watching the classic Rudolph! We watched it every year as a kid, and I still watch it as an adult!
ReplyDeleteI am very into this issue. Bullying is one of the worst fates I can think of and I am with you taking this pledge! I will have this conversation starting young and never ending with both of my girls.
ReplyDeleteI love Rudolph but haven't gotten to watch it in a few years. I hope to this year.
ReplyDeleteGrowing up, I remember my biggest takeaway from Rudolph is that you shouldn't make assumptions about someone who is different looking than you are!
ReplyDeleteRudolph is a Christmas classic. I have watched it almost every year since I was a little kid.
ReplyDeleteRudolph is one of my favorite holiday movies. I think I watch it every year!
ReplyDeleteMy kids are all grown up and we watch this movie every year. I love the classics.
ReplyDeleteWe own this boxed set on DVD! Rudolph is wonderful to help teach kids that making fun is not cool.
ReplyDeleteI think Rudolph is a great way to bring up the subject of bullying with younger children. It's definitely a way to get the conversation going with my kids as they love the movie!
ReplyDeleteI love this movie. Rudolph is one that the kids and I watch every year. I do love that there are messages to be taught with it too and I will be sure to bring those up with my kids more this year.
ReplyDeleteRudolph is my favourite holiday cartoon. I watch it every year. I had no idea there were so many lessons to be learned from the cartoon. I will now watch it in a different way.
ReplyDeleteThis is a great idea and something I never thought about in all the years of enjoying the movie and song. Thanks for helping spread the word and shedding light on this.
ReplyDeleteI love that old Rudolph cartoon movie, it was so nice and I watched it all the time!
ReplyDeleteI have watched this movie every single year at Christmas time my whole life....
ReplyDeleteRudolph is full of great life lessons, that's why we like to watch it every year. I love watching it with my kids.
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