With a tip from a experienced film criticI took my 7 year old out to see his second Marvel movie the other day (he’s a huge fan of Norse mythology so he saw Thor: Ragnarok and you like it). We sat back, put on our 3D glasses (he was really into the action of this one) and entered. Fantastic Four: First Steps. What a pleasant surprise. The movie is, in fact, as my film critic colleague promised, a Great Family Movie.
For kids, there’s a lot to like. There are action montages, a bright retro futuristic setting, a very good visual style, but in a comical way – shiny and simple and nothing more. The movie is more appealing to children than many other Marvel movies, both emotionally and intellectually. Heroines are related like family but also play the role of role models, connect and care deeply for the community they serve. The villain, too, is motivated not so much by malice but by an unstoppable desire to eat (planets, granted) from which he tries to remove himself. A little compassion goes a long way to take the teeth out of an animal. But most importantly there is Franklin, the child.
The Fantastic Four is a family and has conflicts and problems common to all children. Another big one is the difficulties (and joys) that having a child puts on, well, everyone. I especially loved seeing Reed Richards and Sue Storm, doctorate champions who have no doubt seen their sleep debt, complaining of exhaustion. Even the wisest warriors cannot cope with the heroic task of putting a baby to sleep. The tension that gets the screen time it deserves. Just ask any parent.
Sleep has been on my mind lately. I always thought I would end sleep when my baby grew up, but 6 years later I realize maybe it wasn’t a baby? I have never met a person who does not have a strong relationship with sleep. When I was in high school as a soccer player and a distance runner or in my mid-thirties I was excited about the marathon, I slept very well. At least that’s how I remember it.
Now that I’m older I gear up a lot – a lot more – I work less and do a lot more staring at the ceiling in the middle of the night. Growing up, maybe I need to admit it, I need help.
I recently started offering sleep tracking. I was pairing a new one Samsung Galaxy 8 watch with Samsung Galaxy Ring (I’ve been a Samsung man since I converted to them Turn on the phonewhich pair together seamlessly, requiring no third-party applications).
So what did I get? That data is actually encouraging. I won’t get too into the weeds but I will tell you that late night snacks, screens, night caps, and work are not good for my sleep. Evening walks, reading, and low-budget days and more quality exercise lead to more quality sleep.
It’s all obvious stuff, but what tracking does is compel attention. A good night’s sleep is important and, for those of us without children, something that can be controlled. We can create habits that help sleep. We can choose to prioritize our health and well-being. Statistics don’t tell us what to do, but they show us what our priorities are.
When my son was a sleepless baby (he was really bad) the only two things I had were keeping him healthy (alive) and getting sleep. My world is a little easier now and my list of priorities has grown a lot. I want to be outside more, find new fitness, have new passions (birding is kind of fun, everyone), embrace a new phase of marriage, learn new skills, and meet my kids where they are. But sometimes you have to remember the basics. Without good sleep, everything becomes more difficult. Only the strongest hero can defeat the world eater in the new parent’s sleep plan. We all need all the help we can get.
