Therapist: Parents can manage kids’ Twilight obsessions by showing interest
There’s a hint of Twilight-mania in the eastern Idaho air.
On Thursday night, the 5th Twilight movie, Breaking Dawn Part 2, will light up screens at Edwards Cinema in Ammon.
All shows Thursday night are already sold out.
With all the Twi-Hard fans hitting theaters, our station asked if there’s anything parents can do to reign in kids’ obsession over the movie franchise.
“People like me who have like, an addiction, okay? Like an addiction, like an actually addiction,” said Youtube contributor “NuttyMadam” in a video that has over 1 million views on the video streaming site.
The UK Twilight superfan has become famous for posting her first-person reactions to Twilight trailers on the net.
Watching her special brand of Twilight excitement had reporter Caleb James seeking a little mental health help on Thursday evening.
“(There’s a) big disconnect between reality and fantasy sometimes,” said mental health counselor Quinn Thibodeau.
Thibodeau said the Twi-hard obsession with all its intense symptoms could worry some parents.
“If your kid likes Twilight then they’re just going to become a vampire,” joked Thibodeau. “Bella’s quote is, ‘I was born to be a vampire.'”
He said actual concern should only come if a kid is showing worrying signs of withdrawal.
“Someone who used to be very active and involved, if all of a sudden they’re becoming very solitary,” he said.
He also said kids who begin to have unrealistic expectations for relationships may also be exhibiting worrying signs of an unhealthy connection to the franchise.
“If the child really starts basing what their love life should be, and they just have this fantasy that some vampire guy will come sweep them off their feet,” he said.
Thibodeau said kids who act out mischievously may also be showing signs of a blurred understanding of fantasy versus reality.
But he also said there is one simple and effective way to manage the obsession.
“I would encourage a parent to become involved in anything a child shows interest in,” he said.
Thibodeau said taking an active interest can keep a parent closer to the situation, and more able to monitor the level of obsession.
