From the time I watched the animated The Little Mermaid film back in the 1990’s, the film for me was about following your heart’s desire – with your one true love, and defeating the mean sea witch Ursula. Ariel has always been my favorite Disney Princess, probably because of the ocean and her love for adventures. And as an adult, though, I would realize how impulsive can she get and how she would disobey her father, King Triton. Little did we know, as well, that as an adult I would dive into watching the film again realizing how it was so much more than Ariel changing her life for a boy. Well, true love and a kiss from the prince aside, let’s talk about the things I realized AS A MOM watching the live action film with my son.

WARNING: THIS IS NOT A MOVIE REVIEW

I realized how hard it is to watch The Little Mermaid now that I am MOM. Most especially when my son is almost at the stage where he starts to make his own decisions, and try to do thing independently. Make new friends, develops a crush and go on trips without me. My son is merely 10, as I said, he is “almost at that stage”, but what I’m certain though, we’re almost there.

And I can’t help but cry while watching the film. I don’t know if I will ever be ready to “let him go” when that time comes or if I’ll ever be used to it. But that’s the truth that I have to accept, that my child is going to explore the world, one that I, together with his and the rest of our family, prepared  him for. He is made for greatness and I’m not going to hinder him for selfish reasons, but I will always miss him.

I will always miss him and no matter what happens, I will love him with all my heart in all ways possible. He might make mistakes and take the wrong path in life, my love for him will never waver, and I will always welcome him with my arms wide open. You’ll always be my merbaby, son!

Here are some things that I want to remind you of when that time comes that our children will be “Part of that World” —

Let their voice be heard.

Let’s listen to what they have to say, because their voice is as much important as ours. Listen to them if you want them to listen to you. We may think it will not do good for them, but what if it will? Compromise is what we need to do.

Let them explore the shipwreck.

Why? It is dangerous there. Well, literally in the film it is dangerous. But in real life, what I meant is give them the freedom to explore themselves and the world around them. Teach them to be brave and take risks, because that’s when they will learn to survive. 

Don’t just trade in your voice, especially not when you are mad.

AKA Don’t make impulsive decisions when you are mad. Don’t take away or even break the things that our children loves because we are mad at them. Otherwise, they may resent you and may lead to them on making impulsive decisions that can make or break them.

It is always OKAY to want more.

Why does one person wants “more”? It’s not always about not being contented with what you have. For me, it is to keep on dreaming and to dream for far bigger things in life. It’s one’s essence, right? To have goals in life to achieve and to have dreams do come true. Because what if one has achieved their goal already, that’s it? No new goals to achieve? You don’t want anything more in life? Then that would be sad. I say, let them swim up to the surface to achieve goals after goals!

Keep in mind that life may not always better under the sea.

Just maybe, your little mermaid/merman is destined to be somewhere else than the confines of the ocean. Yes, our comfort zone is the happiest place to be. But when they tell us their dreams of going up there, don’t tell them that, that it is a big mistake! You know it might be better for them where the seaweeds are greener, ayt?

A Parent’s love can reach as far as the wild unchartered waters

Because are love for our babies will always be there, no matter how old they get, no matter how far they they go, no matter what they do in life. Just literally, no matter what. Yes, it is okay to let them go.

Let them live their dream on their own two feet.

When just flippin’ there fins, can’t make them far.. let’s their legs do the jumpin’ and the dancin’. Let them do it on their own, because we know that they can make it on their own – with just us to guide them, not controlling them. Thus when we empower are our strong and independent littles, they can also empower!

It hits differently when it is a live-action film. It especially gave me all that chills when Halle Bailey sang her own version of “Part of Your World“. And I totally welled up when King Triton decided to let go. Halle’s Ariel is powerful in her own way. She’s so passionate with her beliefs and willing to go for her deepest desires. 

Discover an enchanting magical life under the sea as the beloved Disney Classic comes to life in the big screen – the live-action The Little Mermaid swims into theaters starting today, May 24, 2023 nationwide (Philippines) and May 26, 2023 worldwide.

Sharing some photos from the The Little Mermaid Special Advance Screening at the SM Mall of Asia’s IMAX Theatre. Being one of the first to view the #TheLittleMermaidPH was definitely surreal!  🐠🦀🐚🌊 BIG THANK YOU TO @disneystudiosph @stratworks families for having me and @coco.marcus . It’s just Disney Magical and made me tear up! It was indeed a fun SEAdventure under the sea! 

PS. I wasn’t ready to Disney Bound as Ariel but how do you like my little Prince Eric?! Adorable, right?

Disclaimer: All photos were screen grabbed from the official The Little Mermaid video trailer and all other related videos.