As it turns out, Jack had already seen this film once (although not with me). But, taking advantage of some bargain price Saturday morning tickets, I thought a second session wouldn’t go amiss as a father-son outing.

I surprised myself with this decision, not least because previous trips to the cinema with Jack rarely see him making it through an entire feature-length movie without either falling asleep or asking to go home.

Maybe it was the 3D element, or maybe it was because the preceding Shrek film proved such great family entertainment at home. Either way, taking Jack to see Puss in Boots proved a great idea.

In the early part of the film – wearing his ridiculously oversized 3D glasses – Jack nearly slipped off the edge of his seat at least six or seven times as he attempted to grab at the objects projecting themselves out of the screen.

Moreover, this film indulged two of his emerging ‘toddler-boy’ passions – swords and silly dancing.

Were it not for the fact that the cinema was quite busy that morning, I would have let Jack into the aisle to dance along while the cartoon Puss projection Flamenco danced across and out of the screen with the film’s love interest.

Another excellent reason for taking Jack to the cinema, it turned out, was that he appreciated the treat. It is something far more substantial than buying an ice cream, or being allowed to stay out an extra ten minutes on the swing before going home for dinner.

Not only is there a film on a big screen, there’s the build up of buying popcorn, handing the tickets to the assistant, and walking through the double doors. Jack loves the whole procedure, not just the film itself.

And because he had such a great morning, Jack was in fantastic spirits for the rest of the Saturday, which made for a relaxing, stress-free day for mum and dad!