Taking toddlers to the cinema?

[Geordieminx]

Rant alert

Went to cinema today, it's only the 2nd time we have been, ds is 4.5.

Family behind with 2 kids, ok so it's dark but they were obviously quite young. Both under 3 I would guess.

So the film starts (((kick))) (((kick))) ((((kick)))) on the back of my seat. The mother makes a feeble 'don't kick the ladies chair" comment. It stops for 10 minutes then starts up again. Child says "I'm bored want to go home"

Then the kids stand up and start hanging on the back of our chairs, pulling my chair at the same time. After another 10 minutes and me turning round and scowling the mother asks them to sit down.

A few minutes later a fucking frube tube lands on my knee..splattering yoghurt and slavers over my jeans....honestly at this point I was waiting for Jeremy Beedle to appear ((( although actually is he not dead?)))))

The above goes on for a bit longer, until the dad looses his temper, tells the kids to behave or they are going home.. Cue smallest child crying like a bloody banshee.... And it goes on. And on. And on.

Eventually, after 15 minutes of crying, and most of the cinema turning round, the parents decide to actually take the kids out. At which point they stop crying.

AIBU to think that really, unless it's a toy story/cars/Disney type film then 3 1/2-4 is the minimum age to take kids to cinema?

[2shoes]

what was the film?

[fedupofnamechanging]

I agree with you.

Some cinemas do special showings for people with very young children, but on the whole I think it's selfish to take small children to a film when they are not up to sitting quietly for the duration. The cinema is not cheap these days and I'd have been cross to have it ruined.

[Geordieminx]

Ah it was just a turtle thing... To be fair it was shite.. Bo wonder they were crying

[VivaLeBeaver]

I'm surprised even a 4yo can sit through a film. Dd was 7 the first time I dared take her.

[Geordieminx]

Sorry should read pulling my hair

[pingu2209]

This happened to me years ago at the Star Wars film. Someone brought their babe in arms to the cinema. The baby cried for ages. The mother moved out of the chairs but stood in the exit path so she could still see the film, whilst bouncing the baby on her hip.

I complained to the cinema and they gave us free tickets to come back.

I asked them why they let a baby into the cinema and they said they can't refuse entry?!

[Hassled]

I saw the HP film today and next to me was a very young boy - I'd say 6 tops. I tutted to myself a bit - not the right film for a child that age, he's going to be a wriggly nightmare, what were the parents thinking? etc, but actually he was absolutely fine. He just sat and watched.

So I suppose, like all things, it depends on the child. But in your scenario it's safe to assume the parents knew their kids wouldn't manage it and should have either not come or left a lot faster.

[onebigchocolatemess]

I am planning on taking my 3.5yr old and (cringe) 18m old to see cars 2 in a few weeks.

Its our first attempt at the cinema and both DH and I are going, if either of them play up we will be out of there! I wouldn't let them behave as op described.

What age do you have to pay for kids?

We will go at a really quiet time of day I promise and am hoping the popcorn will buy us at least 20ms

my thinking is the pair of them would sit transfixed watching Cars from begining to end if I'd let them....!

[skybluepearl]

i took my 2 year old to the cinema and he was perfectly behaved. i think it depends on the child really

[dementedma]

cinemas not for little ones! it's dark and it's loud, very loud, and your little ones will piss off people who have paid money to watch a film in peace. keep them at bloody home!

[outnumbered2to1]

took my two DS's aged 6 and 3 to the cinema to watch Gnomeo and Juliet - was well prepared to leave if DS2 got bored or outrageous as it was his first visit to the cinema. Had more problems with DS1 jumping around and acting like an arse.......

going again on Friday to see Cars 2 - Hamilton Vue Cinema - you have been warned..... lol

[pigletmania]

No hope for my dd 4.5 (possible ASD, speech and language delay, and emotional delay). She cannot sit still in front of a film for 5 mins

[Geordieminx]

Outnumbered.... That's where I was today.

It was the yoghurt tube that landed on my knee that really pissed me off.... Was tempted to throw it back

[Geordieminx]

Tbh ds was moving about and getting a bit bored towards the end... It will be a while before we go back.

[outnumbered2to1]

geordieminx i am now wondering if i know you....... ha ha ha steer clear of the Vue on Friday then and avoid my DS1 wanting the loo every 5 minutes...

[Geordieminx]

I live in uddingston

[Itsjustafleshwound]

But then our local cinema also has child friendly showings ...

With the way the cinema takings are going no wonder there is not a lot of sanction placed on ticket sales.

[Geordieminx]

Child friendly = great idea

Allowing you kid to kick someone's chair repeatedly, pull hair, throw yoghurt and cry on and off for 20 minutes = fucking annoying

[KaraStarbuckThrace]

YABU - it really depends on the parents.
Dh will be taking DS (3.7) to see Cars Too for the first time. DS will be told in no uncertain terms how to behave. It'll be his first trip to the cinema, up to now I havent' thought he could sit through a whole film.
I am also taking 5wo dd to see Harry Potter - I'm doing it now because she mostly sleeps atm so will put her in the sling as she will sleep then and I can eat popcorn But if she kicks off I will taker her straight out. DH is the same, if DS can't behave he will be removed quickly as possible.
We dislike films being disrupted so we will take every step to avoid affecting other people's experience.

[Concordia]

pigletmania where i used to live (derby) the independent cinema did special screenigns for families with children with asd. i thought it was a great idea. don't know if they still do them or if there are similar near you....

[outnumbered2to1]

geordie i live in hamilton.....

vue does saturday or sunday morning showings called kids clubs - more like a yoghurt and chair kicking free for all!!!!!

[LaWeasel]

Why wouldn't you take them out as soon as they said they were bored?!

Anyhow.

Hopefully we're taking DD next weekend, she's only 2. And it's to see the cars movie.

I have a secret feeling we'll be leaving after 5 minutes.

[bringmesunshine2009]

Alternatively, take a box of puppies to the cinema. See if you can make it to the end of the film without them:
a) barking
b) weeing or pooing
c) climbing out the box

Just as much fun for you and all the other cinema goers.

[pigletmania]

Thanks concordia I live in Milton Keynes, I think there is Cineworld and Odeon. Will have to find out if they do. She will not sit still and sill go wondering about and say she wants to go home after 5 mins. I would love to see a Christmas pantomime with her, but thats not not be at the moment

[Geordieminx]

Is it not cruel to put puppies in boxes? A puppy is for life...not just for the cinema