To think this is rude at a concert

[TheRobbingBastards]

We went to DS's Summer concert last night. This is a big event for the music department and the children who perform.

My judgey pants were pulled well up at the couple who arrived with two younger DS's (about 7is) in tow, plonked themselves in the front row then fished an iPad in a luminous green case out of a bag. The two boys then spent the whole concert playing a game that involved much waving of arms. All the time they were sat in front of the stage, in direct eyeline of the children performing

In fairness they had the sound down, both boys stayed in their seats all the way through the concert and apart from the occasional muffled gasp or cheer they were quiet. I also realise that expecting DC to behave themselves through an event like that is easier said than done, and don't necessarily judge the parents for using an iPad to keep them entertained. It's more the inconsideration of allowing them to distract the performers as well as the audience several rows behind them.

So AIBU and curmudgeonly or was this unnecessarily rude and thoughtless?

[CatsCantTwerk]

Maybe that was the only way the parents could attend? Maybe the boys were sn and the parents knew that was the only thing that would keep them in their seats. You really shouldn't judge, there could be many reasons for it.

[elderflowerlemonade]

Do you mean the children were waving their arms?

[MythicalKings]

Very rude and thoughtless of those performing, whatever the reason.

[avocadotoast]

No, it is rude. They could at least have sat at the back so as not to distract other people.

I hate that tablets/screens have just become the ubiquitous way to keep kids quiet.

[Only1scoop]

Perish the thought they may be encouraged to actually watch and enjoy the performance.

Seems some families can't cold turkey on the gadgets for even a night of school entertainment.

Awful

[TheRobbingBastards]

Yes cats but there was no need to park them in the front row was my point. If you had to have an iPad to keep your DC occupied (for whatever reason) then surely you could seat them a little more discreetly?

[SunshineAndShadows]

I also wonder how kids will ever learn to sit through concerts, at dinner tables etc. sitting and paying attention doesn't magically come with age, it has to be learned - how does that happen when there's always an iPad attached?

[NRomanoff]

Yanbu if there were issues, they could have sat somewhere else. It's distracting for the viewers and for the kids that have spent time and effort leading up to the performance. It's not fair on the kids on stage.

[BishopBrennansArse]

Judge all you like but remember for kids like my DS2 who has severe autism and ADHD that being anywhere without an electronic gadget would be far more disruptive than him sitting quietly and flapping. He has his on silent by the way.

[BishopBrennansArse]

Oh, and he's 10 by the way. He physically can't sit still and watch.

[morage]

Yes a total lack of basic consideration. Very unfair on the children performing.
It would have been very easy for them to sit at the back instead.

[Icimoi]

Perish the thought they may be encouraged to actually watch and enjoy the performance.

Trust me, when you go to a school concert there is no way that anyone enjoys the entire performance. I write as someone who has sat through many hours of children getting hideous noises out of violins, quavery recorder playing, and the music teacher's choice of a succession of dirges for the school choir.

[ShadowsInTheDarkness]

Hahaha icimoi that's a very precise description of every school concert I was ever in, or that my younger siblings were in over a span of 20 years! I'm quietly hoping there will have been a revolution by the time my DCs are old enough to be in school concerts but it's not looking likely is it?

I was the hideous noises out of violins contribution. I knew I sounded awful, the teacher knew and the audience knew, yet still I was made to go up there. Ahh the shame

[Only1scoop]

And I was the violinist and boy did I sound worse than nails down the blackboard.

[Only1scoop]

When I used to practise at home our Spaniel used to literally whine and howl until I stopped.

[TheCatsMother99]

YANBU, that was plain rude.

It's become way too normal for children to be distracted by iPads and the sort nowadays but it's still rude to plonk kids in the front row who won't be watching the performance & who are clearly visible to those performing & a distraction to those watching.

[Mrsjayy]

They could have the ipads on stand by just incase the got fidgety school c8ncerts can be little kids idea of hell but to plug them in right away is rude but many kids are glued to screens so they dont get bored meh boredom never killed anybody

[BishopBrennansArse]

Well woop woop for you, Upthe. You do know that's not always possible?

Is excluding families with disabled children preferable?

FWIW we sit to the side or out of the way. But the electronics are non negotiable

[SilasGreenback]

I went to ds3 concert this week. Held in a lovely concert hall with racked seating so no problems with views etc.
I was right at the back and was really shocked at the number of parents who spent the whole time on their phones texting and emailing. OK they were at the back but it was just the concept of going to a concert and fully intending to do that.

[Sparklingbrook]

I am amazed the couple weren't holding the Ipad up to film the concert as is usual these days

Seems a bit pointless taking the younger Dc if they weren't going to watch the concert. Practicality would suggest maybe just one parent goes and the other says at home with the other DC.

But YY to sit at the back. OP if the front row was free you should have sat in it. In 8 years of school productions I never got to sit at the front.

[SheHasAWildHeart]

Is excluding families with disabled children preferable?

No-one said anything about 'excluding' them.

[Andrewofgg]

My "favourite" was the girl of about 14, younger sister of the boy with the lead part in DS's school play, who sat in the second row, screen giving off light as she texted and texted and texted. The keyboard pipped every time she pressed a key and the phone gave off a louder peep when she got an answer. Not helpful to her brother and the other boys (all-male school) playing Henry V and very well too. At the interval I asked the parents if they could ask her to switch the phone off. Mother stared as if I had suggested she flap her arms and fly and father explained that it was the only way to persuade her not to plug in the earphones and play music. I have to wonder how that girl coped at exam time.