Before The Pandemic started, Madison and I enjoyed frequenting the movies together. Once or twice a month we’d find ourselves with an afternoon to kill, so we’d make for the theater. Needless to say, we were thrilled when the movie theaters in our area opened once again. 

As you might expect, we’ve taken several opportunities over the last couple of months to see what movies we can. 

Yesterday, we saw Spirit Untamed, a film that’s sure to be a box-office hit for the summer. On the surface, the movie is about a brave little girl who learns about the power of friendship and how together, with friends, you can do the impossible. It’s also a lesson in treating nature and animals with respect. 

But just below that, it’s a film about a father and daughter separated by time and tragedy struggling to reconnect. A message many fathers might understand, regardless of the circumstances. 

As dads, we struggle to balance keeping our children safe and letting them grow uninhibited. Even when it means them taking risks. Something Jim Prescott Jr., the unprepared father, in Spirit Untamed had to learn quickly. 

I empathize with Jim, as I see Maddie beginning to struggling to balance following rules with exploring her independence and autonomy, as well as finding her voice, something the fearless ingenue of the story must also attempt. 

Whether or not the filmmakers intended to convey this message,  for me the movie serves as a stark reminder that I must do all I can to support my child’s (reasonable) independence while also providing for her safety and hearing the voice she has developed.  

What are some things you have done to support your child’s independence?