Explaining characters to kids

[Minnie824]

So, my DD is really starting to question some of the characters. For example... on Cory in the house, that one guy was on who is a voice for one of the tools on Handy Manny. She noticed that. So, how do you explain some characters have real people talk for them, others have their own voice? Then, the size...why is Mickey so big, but little on tv? That one is normally ok cuz theres no humans in those cartoons, but now with the Ratatouille stuff...the rat is small in the movie, really really big in the parks. How do you explain that? Then of course, she wants to know why the characters don't talk. She is almost 6 and is asking about everything. I want to postpone 'the truth' as long as I can. Any suggestions?

 

[herodrx1]

Don't know if this will help or not.

When mine were figuring it out I told them that the characters can't be everywhere at once. They sometimes used "helpers" to pretend to be them. The deal is that you never know if you have the "real" character or not so you are better off thinking and treating them as the true character.

Don't think this helps much with the size issue but who knows for the 6 y/o mind.

 

[Micka Mouse]

DD saw Haunted Mansion a few nights ago (not the whole thing...she would leave the room when she thought it was going to be scary ). Not thinking, I said "Who does that sound like?" She listened for a few minutes, then said, "Donkey from Shrek." She asked how it was possible, and I foolishly explained to her about who Eddie Murphy was and that he talks for Donkey.

Tonight, as she was going to bed, she was talking to her dolls, and I heard her say "Eddie Murphy". What have I done?????????

 

[mrsbert]

My sons know Eddie Murphy's voice too!! He's on Daddy Daycare, Haunted Mansion, Dr. Doolittle and of course Shrek.

About the characters, we went to WDW in May and my DS6 was constantly asking if they were real. I asked him, "What do you think?" I wanted to feel him out. He's TOTALLY on to them.

We're getting the same question about Santa. They think he definitely has helpers but little do they know that Daddy's custom-made Santa suit is in the closet along with the fake beard and glasses. DH plays Santa for daycares and nursing home, and sometimes private parties every Chirstmas. Getting the suit in and out of the house for the holidays is getting harder. I'm thinking of telling the boys that Daddy had to go to Santa school and was specially picked to help Santa out.

 

[Cruz91]

Wait till they're teens. Then you'll have some explaining to do!

Anyway - we tell DD5 it's Disney Magic. So far, it's worked. But she's starting to ask more and more and more. Breaks my heart. My little girl is growing up.

 

[reginaastralis]

Wow ... my sister is nine and hasn't questioned Santa .... or characters. I think she's a die hard believer. We're pretty sure this past Christmas was her last year of truely believing in Santa, but who knows.

With the size thing, she's never asked about that. She did however have a BIG problem when we met Kim Possible last summer, and Kim was a face character. She didn't like that at all ... she thought that since Kim was a cartoon a real girl shouldn't be dressed up like her. I know she doesn't really believe that Mickey is a real person, or that it's Mickey from TV, but I think she really believes that it's Disney MAGIC that makes it so she can hug Mickey everytime she visits.

However, she's a DIE HARD Princess Jasmine fan. It took about four trips before we found her, and Jordyn was thrilled. Maybe she has more magic in her than some kids ... I'd cry is my 5 yr old was questioning if Santa was real.

 

[bluejaygirl]

I totally do the " what do you think?" thing as well, with my DD6.

When we were first planning our trip I was heartbroken because I was planning Character meals and showing her pictures and she said " Mom.. those arent real. You know they are just people in costumes, right?"

But once we were there, she was totally in awe of them. Heck, even I forgot they weren't "real"...lmao. So even though she asked a couple times, I think she pretty much decided to just let it be and enjoy them without such deep thoughts.

I think " What do you think?" is a universally good response for a starting point at least. I wish I had used it when she asked me "mama, what is the eff word?" . I got into a basic explanation, including what the word was, and she said " Oh, I thought it was FrouFrou."

 

[Mono~rail]

I can't offer any advice on what to tell your DD because all kids are different. What trick might work for one might not work on another.

The tv one could be answered with "Everyone is smaller on tv than in real life."

I have a funny character story. When my now DD14 was almost 3, we took her first trip to WDW. Back at Epcot France, we saw Esmerelda from Hunchback of Notre Dame. I don't know what it was about her, but instantly, DD just fell in love with her. She was telling her all about how she had her "barbie" and just laying it on thick. Then DD invited her to her next birthday party, and Esmerelda told her that she would be there!

Our trip was in August, and DD's b'day is in Nov. I thought she would forget about it, but I was wrong. She talked about Esmerelda coming to her party everyday, and she told anyone who would listen! Her b'day was getting closer and closer, and she wasn't dropping it. She was only getting more excited.

Finally, I called around and I found a lady who did characters for parties. I hired her, and I had to rent her Esmerelda costume. The day of the party all the kids were there and they were anxiously waiting for Esmerelda!

Esmerelda showed up driving an old, beat up Astro minivan, and she was smoking a cigarette! She was in her late 40's/early 50's, but she was dressed like Esmerelda. All the kids really thought it was her! None of them questioned it!

To this day, DD still talks about how that was her best b'day party ever!