However, by the 100th time I watched it with my children, I had to develop the following coping strategies to help me from not losing my mind. Netflix has graciously put the original film, as well as three sequels of questionable merit, on their streaming service.
1. Try to guess who's voicing the characters
Lilo's sister is voiced by Tia Carrere, which I already knew. However, the cross-dressing alien sounded vaguely familiar as well. Possibly one of the Canadian comics from "The Kids in the Hall" -- but which one? The curly-haired one or the one who went on to star in "News Radio?" If you really can't tell, listen to the movie with your eyes closed. (Spoiler: The cross-dressing alien is voiced by Kevin McDonald, the curly-haired actor and "The Kids in the Hall" alum.)
2. Look for errors in the sequels
Film geeks have been searching for continuity errors in films for decades, but errors can also be found in animated films. For example, Myrtle, the annoying redhead in Lilo's hula class, does a hula dance promoting her father's souvenir store in the second film. However, by the fourth film, Myrtle's classmates taunt her that she doesn't have a father. No one else would notice this -- except a parent forced to watch the movies over and over again.
3. When all else fails, take a nap
Before I had children, I never had a television in my bedroom. Now my favorite spot to watch TV is in my bedroom, so I can secretly take a nap while they are transfixed for an hour or so by a movie. So I'm not winning any mother-of-the-year awards with this strategy, but I am catching up on some much-needed sleep.
What are your strategies for watching children's movies over and over again? Share in the comments below.
Nina Snyder is the author of ABCS OF BALLS and the designer of the HOT PINK ORCHARD JOURNAL. Follow her on Twitter @nsnyder_writer.
