Why would anyone bring a 6 month old baby to a movie?

[KitchenWitch]

:eyes:

We took our daughter today, to see "Curious George" (yes a kid movie), and several people brought their infants along, and they were all disruptive throughout the movie.

[DS1]

1. I read a thread today, that someone wrote, about something,

and then, I wrote a reply.

[KitchenWitch]

2. ROFL

[Evergreen Emerald]

28. I think this response deserves it's very own thread.

[Maddy McCall]

3. Sometimes when you have a new baby, you can barely afford...

the price of tickets, much less a baby sitter.

The solution, of course, is easy...take the baby if you must, but when the baby begins to fret or cry, get up, go out to the lobby, or do whatever else you must to calm the baby.

Just don't sit in the theatre disrupting others.

I can't stand to be in a theatre with parents who won't take the screaming baby out. Considerate people know to take the baby out, but inconsiderate people will just sit there, disrupting the film for everyone.

[KitchenWitch]

5. I agree!

We had a literal cacaphony of babies during the movie. I do not mind the preschoolers forgetting and talking once in awhile, but man, get your baby outta there if he/she is screaming.

[Skittles]

7. yes

I have seen babies sleep through entire movies.....I think it can be done but you should sit easily accessible to the aisle and leave if the baby fusses; I sympathize with people who cannot afford babysitters and want to enjoy a movie

[Common Sense Party]

31. We used to take our first munchkin to all sorts of movies

I remember seeing "The Fugitive" and "Jurassic Park" in the theater when he was still in his car seat.

We were young, poor, and didn't want to pay for a sitter (nor did we trust any).

I thought Austin would wake up during the loud parts, but he'd sleep right through it.

Had he ever made a peep, my wife or I would get up and take him to the lobby (or ply him with a bottle in our seats).

That was back in the old days when we actually went to the movie theater.

[China_cat]

43. One word...Netflix

[Skittles]

47. I'm a movie buff and go to the movies weekly

at home shit just does not cut if for me

[China_cat]

49. But if you have a baby and can't afford a sitter

it is certainly an option until the child is old enough to behave, or your income increases.

[Arugula Latte]

22. I took my kids to a couple movies each when they were babies

but I was super aware of them creating a possible disturbance so I always sat near the back, on the aisle so I could jump up if necessary ... However, if a parent is there with a baby and another kid, it's a big disruption to take the older kid out ... But, if they had sense, they would only take two or more children to kids' movie.

[Maddy McCall]

23. And this is why you always attend the movie with another adult...

if possible, if there are small children with you, so that you can go out with the baby if need be.

Every parent should have one friend with whom he or she can do social stuff, and at times like the situation you mentioned above, it's damned near necessary.

:hi:

[proud2BlibKansan]

29. We didn't go to movies when our kids were babies

if we didn't have a sitter. We just didn't think the movie theater was a place for babies. We didn't take either of them to movies until they were old enough to sit there quietly.

There were lots of things we didn't do when our kids were babies. The time passes so quickly; they are in kindergarten before you know it. It didn't seem like that big of a deal to me to give up doing certain things when I had babies.

[LeftyMom]

4. I would

Just bring 'em in a sling while they're sleepy and stuff a boob in thier mouth if they fuss. Much easier than dealing with older kids.

[WCGreen]

16. I'd go to a movie with you.....

[LeftyMom]

17. You'd have to buy your own drink

no matter how much you fussed. ;)

[WCGreen]

18. Good fucking answer......

I LIKE you....

[LeftyMom]

19. I like you too.

:blush:

[Zomby Woof]

6. Woohoo!

:popcorn:

Bringing them to IKEA is even WORSE! It was HELL today. I will stop now before I get too rude and crude about it. :nuke:

[KitchenWitch]

8. LOL

I am a parent, and am mostly tolerant of other's children, but man, use some sense, and if your kid is disrupting, get him outta there.

[KitchenWitch]

9. Ouch

IKEA shopping is not for the weak!

:hug:

[Zomby Woof]

13. I am going again tomorrow

And handing out condoms. The stupidity threshold was too much to bear.

[KitchenWitch]

15. Yeah, I get that!

[sbj405]

41. I've often thought that Ikea should be the lab for parenting

Take soon to be parents there and observe pointing out good behavior and bad. :-)

I don't get why you wouldn't leave your kid in the play area. Seems like both would be a whole lot happier.

[Jennos20]

10. Thats Nothing

The other night I was at a bar, and this women had a newborn baby with her! It was so horrible and disgusting! Why would a mother bring a baby to a bar? The music was so loud, it could have hurt the baby's ears! People puzzle me sometimes...

[KitchenWitch]

11. That is BAD!

sheesh.

[Crazy Guggenheim]

12. Welcome to DU.

:popcorn:

[ScreamingMeemie]

14. I took Nicole when she was 7 months old to a showing of Avalon, but

I was only 20 and could not afford the babysitter. She got her picture taken on Santa's lap in the mall...and I noticed the movie was showing and I had a few bucks for the matinee..so I went. She slept through the whole thing, man were my arms tired. But it was a beautiful movie. I sometimes miss those sweet moments of single motherhood, but in actuality it was a lonely time.

***Disclaimer: I'm on heavy meds right now so this post may "appear" disjointed. apologies all around.

[Oeditpus Rex]

20. What *really* sucks is when

babies whip out their cell phones. :grr:

[Arugula Latte]

21. Yeah -- damn inconsiderate cell-phone toting infants!

It's always "Goo goo" this or "Gah gah" that! C'mon, ya babies, can't it wait 'til the movie is over?!

[El Fuego]

24. Because it's all about them

They have procreated and are therefore the center of the known fucking universe. :eyes:

[CBHagman]

25. Some theaters now have screenings for new mothers.

I kid you not. At least one of our local cinemas has specially scheduled daytime movies for mothers with infants or toddlers. It strikes me as a perfectly sane way to handle the issue.

A friend of mine told me she remembered movie theaters with crying rooms (i.e., soundproof rooms in which to take baby). Some mothers will nurse during films, which is one way to handle the crying problem.

But the people who give me the creeps are the ones who take children to age-inappropriate films, and you all know who you are. Some maniac brought a small child to a screening of Breaking the Waves (!!), and I once saw a woman promising her tiny son (he couldn't have been older than 3 or 4) that she would take him to a particular R-rated movie. At times like that I wish there were fines for incompetent parenting.

[Starlight]

34. I remember a tiny theater many years ago that had a "crying room. "

It was a small soundproof room behind the back row with a big glass window. Parents could take their fussy babies & toddlers and still watch the movie without disturbing others.

[China_cat]

44. Where I grew up all the theaters had crying rooms

Of course, there was only one screen, one movie that changed twice a week unless it was a blockbuster and then it stayed for a full week. And under twelve paid twelve and a half cents to get in.

[LynneSin]

26. What time did you see the movie?

First and foremost I can appreciate how you feel. However, when it comes to kids movies, I think the babies have a right to be in there provided that it's a reasonable time. If you were at the matinee then what can I say - that's prime kid time for the movies. But I went with DUer Ramsey & her husband to see the first Underworld movie at a 10:30 showing at someone brought 3 kids under the age of five to a violent R-rated movie

[JVS]

27. hmm

:popcorn:

[NMMNG]

30. Really

I realize that on top of the cost of the tickets a baby sitter might be too much, but can't they just give the tot a Valium or something*? :eyes:








*A little joke. I don't seriously condone giving infants Valium, but would instead advocate taking the fussy baby out of the theater until s/he calms.

[GoddessOfGuinness]

32. Both my boys went to the movies as infants

and slept through the show. When they were older, there was only one incident in which one of them was fussy...when he was about 2; and I took him out of the theater immediately. We didn't go to a lot of movies...maybe 3 or 4 a year...when we had really little ones. Not to brag, but except for that one time, my boys were always better behaved than a lot of the kids and a few adults as well.

[LeftyMom]

33. There's a good point there

Some kids are quieter than others. LK's almost five and he won't be going to a regular theater anytime soon. At least at the drive-in he can't disturb anyone who isn't in my vehicle so we stick with that.

[GoddessOfGuinness]

35. It's great that you have a drive in...

We don't have any around here anymore. :(
What a great place to be able to teach your kids how to be quiet and watch the movie! I wish they'd make a comeback...

[Yollam]

36. Sorry, if it's a kiddie movie, babies are okay.

I never brought my kids when they were newborns, but I took them when they were four and two, and I see nothing wrong with it.

It ain't Sophie's Choice, for pete's sake...


BTW, I took my kids to see Curious George - what a surprisingly sweet film. It wasn't hyperactive and noisy, and it didn't beat your over the head with "hip" pop culture references and wink-wink jokes for the adults. It was a refreshing departure from recent crappy kids' films.

[benny05]

37. I hear the same refrain about not affording babysitters...but

My parents couldn't afford babysitters on the weekends so they didn't take us to indoor movies. I never them heard them complain about it. That's why I have little sympathy for answer of "we cannot afford a babysitter." Why not just rent the movies or do pay per view on cable? They generally get distributed within a few months. That way parents can afford them and have their children around too.

I seldom go to movies. But when I do attend an afternoon gig, I confess I avoid children's movies because the ones I go to are so friggin' noisy with chatter. Most of those movies will get on cable pretty quickly.

The same problem exists in restaurants that are a little more expensive than a national chain. I always dread it when I see a family of 6 and most of the kids are under the age of 6 get seated near us. Occasionally, we luck out in being able to dine without disruption. But most of the time the babies cry. In some ways it may be good training for the kids, but more than 50% of the time, two of the kids are tired, bored, or there isn't anything on the menu for them. Why bother then?

I'd rather take one of my cats to movies. She is pretty well behaved.

[YellowRubberDuckie]

45. Most of the chain restaurants have a bar area where you can eat...

And kids aren't allowed in...Those are GREAT places to sit when there are kids everywhere. And if you get there early in the day, there usually isn't anyone smoking.
Duckie

[REP]

38. What, Are You Hitler?

Crush their self-esteem by carrying them out when they cry? You were a baby once too, and people who can afford movie tickets, drinks and popcorn should't be forced to pay for a babysitter just so 150 other people can enjoy a movie they paid to see!

[Dont_Bogart_the_Pretzel]

40. your right...

for the price of tickets, popcorn, coke & gas to the theater, should also be able to afford a babysitter.

[Omphaloskepsis]

39. As a long time theater employee.

We would request that they go to the crying rooms. If they refused we would offer a refund and ask them to leave.

[Rabrrrrrr]

42. Cuz they're clueless dumbasses.

That's the only reason I can come up with.

[YellowRubberDuckie]

46. I agree with the other posters....

And will add that it's so loud in the theatres. Baby's little ears should be subjected to that!
Duckie

[billyskank]

48. Maybe they wanted to watch it

:hi:

[MissMillie]

50. a kids movie,yes... any other movie, no

I expect kids at a kids movie to behave like kids and that I will probably be disrupted.

[Fleshdancer]

51. all cities should do what Austin does....

We have a movie theater here that has a weekly baby day. Stay at home parents of babies can watch a movie on Tuesdays during the day without having to worry about bothering everyone else. This a wonderful idea and other cities should offer it.

Aside from that, I don't see why movie theaters sell tickets and admit people with babies. A crying baby is far more disruptive than a cell phone IMO and I don't think going to a kids movie is an adequate excuse.