Choose Your Own Adventure: A Mom’s Guide

By Stacy DeBroff, national parenting expert and founder of MomCentral.com

Sssh! Top secret! A cheat sheet has arrived! Get insights into your child's critical decision making while watching Choose Your Own Adventure together. To help you gain insight into the decisions your child has to make along with way, as well as the dramatic plot consequences that follow, here is an insider's guide along with questions to ask your child as the adventure unfolds.

 

Parachute Crista explains jumping out of the airplane will take them to Katmandu and avoid the risk of being in a plane crash.

Stay on the Plane Benji is nervous about parachuting out of the plane and thinks the risk of crashing is still less dangerous than jumping.

Your child is about the make their first decision of the movie. Do the characters stay on a plane that is running out of gas or parachute into Katmandu? This decision hinges on having the ability to decide what is the safest option for the characters in an emergency situation. Whether your child is the adventure-seeking skydiver or a little scared of heights, these are going to affect the future plot of the film. The first decision also relies heavily on which character your children have most identified with up to this point. Should they trust Crista’s instinct or Benji’s?

Questions you can ask your child:

• What do your instincts say will be the safest decision? Why?

• Who has the better idea about what to do? Crista or Benji?

• Which choice shows the more bravery in the characters?

• (After) Do you think you made the best decision?

Base Camp v. Jungle

A local villager, Jamling, seems knowledgeable about their situation and tells the children to follow him to the jungle where Uncle Rudy is staying. The kids are skeptical that Uncle Rudy is in the jungle because he is looking for Yetis, which are notorious mountain dwellers.

Base Camp Little Marco is skeptical of Jamling, who claims to be a Sherpa. He doesn’t trust strangers and wants to head to Base Camp as originally planned.

Jungle Crista and Benji seem to believe Jamling and want to follow him into the jungle. He claims to have been sent by Uncle Rudy and mysteriously knows information about their adventure.

This decision teaches children how to react when approached by a stranger. The scenario tests whether children are able to understand the dangers a stranger can represent, even if he seems friendly. The situation seems somewhat suspicious. For example, the stranger claims to be a Sherpa, but he is 6 feet tall and Sherpas are traditionally short. Also, the jungle is a crazy and mysterious place for a child and could be dangerous. The choice between base camp and the jungle may be a hard one for your adventure seeker. Although the children would like to find their uncle, something is pulling them towards the more adventurous and dangerous path.

Questions you can ask your child:

o Do you think that Jamling is really sent by the uncle?

o Would you trust a stranger? Note: Just because he knows Uncle Rudy’s name and the Yeti information doesn’t mean he’s telling the truth. Strangers can overhear things or even know your name just by checking out your sport jacket. Don’t assume they know you just because they know your name.

o Would you follow your instinct like Marco? Marco used his background knowledge about the average height of a Sherpa to figure out that the man is lying about his occupation.

o Were there clues along the way that showed Jamling was not trustworthy? Christa sees a tusk fall out of Jamling’s bag and she becomes suspicious.

o What is a poacher? Kids might not know. Note: A poacher is someone who steals or illegally kills animals or plants for personal profit.

o Notice how by following the stranger, the children end up in a scary situation. Review with your child what to do in such a situation. Do they know their address and telephone number? Do they know how to call for help?

o When the children continue to follow the strange man, they are faced with the daunting prospect of giving up the journal. Notice how Marco gives up his parents’ beloved journal in order to save him and his siblings. Is this a smart move? Why? Note: What if the stranger had asked for a wallet, purse or Ipod with the threat of personal endangerment?

The characters are in the mountains and discover a path of Uncle Rudy’s footprints. They also find a path of what appear to be Yeti footprints heading in another direction. The children must choose whether to fulfill the dream of discovering a Yeti, which could be a very dangerous animal to encounter, or continue towards Uncle Rudy.

Yeti Prints Crista wants to follow the Yeti prints because she thinks that Uncle Rudy would want them to continue their adventure and find the Yeti.

Uncle’s Prints Benji fears for his Uncle’s safety and his own. He wants to continue to follow Uncle Rudy’s prints and search for the Yeti later.

Here the children are being tested on acting responsibly as opposed to doing what they want. What is difficult about this choice is that it seems like following the Yeti tracks would be something their uncle would want them to do, even if they probably should find him first. At the same time, following Yeti tracks could be dangerous, so maybe they shouldn’t engage in behavior that might cause them to get hurt without the explicit permission and supervision of an adult. The mystery behind where the uncle went seems to be worrying the characters. If your child is more concerned about the safety of the uncle than seeing the Yeti, then they will prefer to take Ben’s advice and go to their uncle. If your child enjoys the mystery and adventure, they will follow the Yeti prints.

Questions you can ask your child:

o Should you do something dangerous without the permission of an adult, even if you think it’s what the adult would like?

o Is the adventure worth the risk?

o (After) Why did Benji pass out? Could the kids have taken better care of themselves?

o The children end up meeting Uncle Rudy by staying put. What could have happened if they went back out? Note: straying from the plan (Uncle Rudy told them to meet him there) would have meant not meeting Uncle Rudy and possibly getting lost, or worse, passing out somewhere where no one could take care of you. By not wandering away the children take care of themselves, fighting tempting distractions along the way, and succeed in their original mission: to find Uncle Rudy!

If they choose Yeti Prints: then their curiosity might have gotten the best of them. How do they know they are really Yeti prints? Just because they are big? Are they scared of seeing the Yeti? They may have reason to be scared of another animal…

Forest v. Monastery

The children arrive at the monastery where Uncle Rudy is supposedly staying. The characters are excited, but Benji is dizzy and not feeling very well. The other characters express their desire to search the forest for the Yeti and find their uncle later.

Forest Crista and Marco want to head to the forest to find the Yeti, even though it might be dangerous.

Monastery Safety and the North family’s uncle is just a short way away. Benji wants to rest a while before searching for the Yeti.

This decision is based on the children’s ability to follow directions and sensitivity to others’ needs. They were told by Uncle Rudy to meet him inside. Also, Benji is not feeling well- he needs to rest and eat food. At the same time, the children don’t want to pass up the opportunity to find a Yeti. The final step in the decision making process will determine whether or not your child wants to continue on or discover more about the North family.

Questions to ask your child:

o If someone in your group wants to do something different, like Benjamin not feeling well and wanting to rest, should you listen to that person too?

o Would leaving the monastery to find a Yeti be dangerous?

o How is resting and taking a break from activity just as important as engaging in an activity? How can rest help us to take on challenges better than if we didn't take a break for sleep and food?

If they decide to choose the FOREST, then Crista and Marco must venture out alone in search of more adventure. However, little do they know that it leads to something much more dangerous. Why do you think the characters wanted to venture into the forest? Should they have left without the others? There is an important lesson to be learned here about staying together.

Stay at woman’s house Marco wants to stay with the woman because it is getting late and dark.

Keep Hiking Ben tries to persuade them to keep hiking because he finds the woman unwelcoming and believes they can find their uncle if they continue on.

The decision here is focused on what would be the most effective method for the children to find their Uncle Rudy while still taking care of themselves. Should they take advantage of staying with the Yak woman? After all it is a free place to stay and the Sherpa guide seems to trust her. They are in an unfamiliar country where the likelihood of finding another warm place to spend the night is very slim. They also need their rest if they are going to be hiking through snow looking for their uncle. At the same time, the Yak woman is very angry and inhospitable looking. If they keep going, they may be able to find their uncle sooner.

Questions to ask your child:

• What clues were there that the old woman was unhappy or unwelcoming? Marco notices she does not look as friendly as the others would like her to be. Is he right to follow his instinct about her appearance?

• Is searching for someone in an unknown place in the dark a good idea?

• The children don’t know the Yak woman, but their Sherpa guide (who is trusted by their Uncle) says it’s okay. Should they stay with a stranger if a trusted adult says it’s okay?

• By staying the night, the children try “Yak” and like it. What is a food you have tried that you didn’t think you liked but in fact, did?

Hike west v. Go across bridge

As they leave the Yak woman’s house, they must choose to go East or West to search for the Yeti.

Hike West Ben wants to head west, even though the old woman is telling them the Yeti is the other way. Marco comments that the woman disliked Yetis and would not help them to find one, so she might not be telling them the right direction.

Go across the bridge The Yak woman says that the sound coming from the mountains is coming from the opposite direction. They need to head in the opposite direction of the cry.

Here is a difficult decision of trust. The Yak woman said never to talk about the Yeti again. Could it be true that the mountain plays tricks on ears, or is she just sending them the wrong way? The danger of going towards the bridge should also be taken into consideration. Does the Yak woman want to put them in danger? If all bridges in this area are rickety, then maybe the children shouldn’t think twice about crossing the bridge.

Questions to ask your child:

• Which direction seems most dangerous?

• The Yak woman did provide them with food and beds, should they trust her?

• Choosing to go West (as opposed to the rope bridge) – the children follow the birds and find a Yeti and Shangri-La. What is your Shangri-La or “heavenly” place? Where do you go for comfort and relaxation?

If your children decide to trust the woman it will lead them onto the bridge and into danger. Will the North family ever find the Yeti? Where is their uncle? They choose to cross the bridge despite the danger. Due to the weight of the travelers, Christa and Marco are barely saved and the group must return to Katmandu to get new gear.

Follow the Yeti v. Follow the Birds

Crista is saved from a dangerous fall by two mysterious birds, which seem to be leading her down an alternative path to the one her siblings are following.

Follow the Yeti The Yeti is the creature their parents were never able to find. Now they are close and it is their chance to take charge. Marco and Ben think the chance to get a picture of a Yeti is within reach by continuing in the direction they were going.

Follow the Birds Because the birds saved Christa from a fall, Christa trusts her instinct that these birds are the key to finding the Yeti and leading them to safety.

This is a judgment of thought versus feeling. What is more important, following your heart or your head? Is it possible? Here our kids can learn about going with your gut feeling about things. Crista knows the birds saved her life, and trusts them to help her again. That sounds silly to her brothers.

Questions to ask your children:

o What does following your heart, not your mind, mean?

o Do you believe that the birds are really the Spirit of the North’s parents?

o If somebody does something good for you, should you trust them despite the fact that it doesn’t always logically make sense?

o The children follow the cries they hear as opposed to the birds. They come across a rock group called the “Funkadelic Fringe.” Even though the children do not discover the Yeti like they had hoped, they are still happy that they had an adventure and fun together. Why do you think the experience is sometimes more rewarding than the outcome? Imagine playing a really great soccer game where you made great plays and had fun but didn’t actually win – is it the same thing?

Following the Yeti sound leads the kids to work together and eventually to making new friends. Your child will have to think about whether they really believe the legend.

Follow the birds if your child believes Crista.., Do your children think the Yeti is just a myth? If they do then they will be pleasantly surprised by where the birds lead the Norths.

Hike v. Temple

The children are hiking when the Benji discovers a temple near to where they are located, but the temple is not located in their parents’ journal. They have the opportunity to go to the temple or continue hiking.

Hike Crista and Marco do not think the temple exists because it isn’t on the map and isn’t mentioned in their parents’ journal.

Temple Ben trusts his Benj-in and believes that the temple is right up ahead, and would be a good place to rest.

Here the children must again learn to trust instinct versus fact. There is no mention of a temple in their parents’ journal. However the Benji says that it is nearby, and so far the technology of the Benj-in has not failed them. Could the Benj-in be malfunctioning? Going to the temple means that they could get a warm, good night’s rest, however if the temple doesn’t exist, they could freeze to death spending the whole night looking for it.

Questions to ask your child:

o Do you trust that the Benj-in is working?

o Do you have faith in science or in the parent’s journal?

o Why is the temple not mentioned in the journal? Could it have been built since the children’s parents were in Nepal?

Doors v. New Path

The children head towards the Temple and meet up with their Uncle Rudy. Ben feels abandoned by his adventure-seeking parents and gets in a fight with his Uncle. The family then goes down their own path.

Doors (alone) The choice of safety and hundreds of opportunities, but no adventure.

New Path No guarantees of safety but rather the possibility of adventure and camaraderie while being with the people you love.

Here children learn the importance of taking risks in life. Limiting yourself may mean safety and protection, but it also means possibly never getting to experience new things. Benji faces this dilemma in making his decision. Going on the path of adventure means he is opening himself up to taking risks, possibly facing danger, and never knowing what will come next in life. At the same time, he gets to be with his loved ones, which makes him happy. Playing it safe means he will never have to worry about danger, but will always be alone.

Questions to ask your child:

o Why do you think Ben was so angry at his uncle and has a difficult time deciding which path to take?

o Will Ben be happier with or without his family?

o Do you think it would be lonely for Ben if he were to choose to be by himself?

 

If they choose to be alone, it may scare them to find out where the door leads. But with this choice the movie will start over so that children can re-evaluate their choices and find a better ending.

 

The children have followed Jamling into the jungle, but are not sure where they are or where they are going.

Stay: Ben wants to stay with Jamling because they don’t know where they are and trusts Jamling will bring them to Uncle Rudy.

Ditch: Crista finds animal tusks in Jamling’s bag and thinks he may be a poacher.

This scene shows the children second-guessing their original decision to follow Jamling. Sometimes when new information comes to light, it is important to reevaluate your choices. Here your child can learn that even once you make a decision, it’s okay to change your mind if you learn something that makes you think you made the wrong one. Whether to stay or leave Jamling depends on whether they should continue to trust him.

Questions to ask your children:

o Do you think he is leading the children to their uncle?

o (After) Why would he want Marco’s journal?

o When the children continue to follow the strange man, they are faced with the daunting prospect of giving up the journal. Notice how Marco gives up his parents’ beloved journal in order to save him and his siblings. Is this a smart move? Why?

o When the children decide not to follow the strange man, Christa calls for help on her cell and then instructs the others to turn and run with her. How is calling for help and/or running a smart idea?

o This scenario opens up a dialogue about animal poaching and the preservation of wildlife. Why is it important to take care of animals? What can we do to make sure that certain species are not made extinct/ and or are not harmed by others?

If they choose to stay: They might regret their decision as they find out the horrible truth of poaching. But no need to fear… there is another ending just a click away.

If they choose to ditch: They will see the freeing of the animals of the Himalayan’s that the poacher was hiding away. They will learn the right thing to do is to trust their instincts.

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