To think you should leave the room with your screaming baby?

Mic’d up! Not in any school I was ever in, mind you, the special effects when the angels “flew” overhead were spectacular, bless you CGI, blew the entire school budget for the year but omg, we are still talking about it……..

Before this thread, would you not have seen an issue with your baby potentially crying and ruining it for all the other kids?

They weren't allowed at DD's school either, but they were invited to the final dress rehearsal instead.

Nope. In no way can I make your comment make sense to me. 🫢

Ah well, I've had different experiences.
The 'I must sit in the front row and block everyone else's view with my phone/tablet screen' gang are particularly annoying. Camcorders were less common and folk stood at the back more.

How is it tricky?! Upset one child or upset all of them and their parents - only someone very selfish would find this is not a clear cut decision.

Sympathy, yes. But prioritising the feelings of one child to the detriment of tens of others is just being rude.

I started teaching mid 80s and haven't noticed much change in that respect.

Folk are more self absorbed these days.

Yanbu, crying babies need to be taken out. And immediately, not trying to settle while some poor child does their line they’ve been rehearsing for weeks.

It has always been like this.

YANBU. I brought my younger ones as babies to the older ones Xmas plays. I was armed with mini rice cakes and picture books to keep them quiet and distracted. And had to hush them at times or quietly point to things to keep them occupied and show them how to behave. When they were at their worst, I stood at the side, where it was easier to take them out if they got loud, without my other DC noticing or causing a disruption.

It’s never too soon to teach your kids to have respect for others.

If this is the situation, the parent should arrange childcare at home and not bring the new baby to the performance.

You can really spot the parents of these crying, nativity disrupting children on this thread can't you.

Nobody in their non-entitled mind thinks you are being unreasonable OP.

I had my wedding vows disrupted by a screaming baby. It was awful. The worst part was, we had no idea this baby existed (child of a cousin) and so the child wasn't even technically invited!

I agree with you but I also have sympathy for the parents. Their child was probably in the performance and also they would have been aware of their parent leaving which could potentially be upsetting as well. Difficult. I tend to think it’s best not bring babies to these things at all. But not everyone has childcare options.

DC4 is 13months, so I've done this situation a couple of times.

It's obviously best of you have a spare pair of hands. I always ask my mum to come for back-up if she can. Or if you can't take back-up, try desperately to organise childcare for a baby that has that on other days.

It's not fair on the children performing to let a child cry. Yes, it's it's balancing act, but you chose to have that when you chose to have more than one child. And yes, it can be upsetting to your eldest if you go out, which is why it's best to give them a bit cheery wave at the beginning it sit where they ring immediately notice you sneaking out if you need to. You can also prepare them - explain that someone is recording it for you, so if you do have to go out you won't really be missing it.

It's not ok to put your child's needs above every one else. Unless there are some really unusual circumstances, these things can usually be navigated fairly well.

Caveat: if a baby cried I think it is ok to spend ten seconds or so trying to settle them before you go out. Little ones might be fed into submission, a toddler might be distractabke with raisins etc.

It’s not tricky. Your little darling wants their parents there yes, but the whole room hates you because you’re ruining their experience. Have some self awareness and don’t be that parent.

Of course.
Folk are self absorbed nowadays though.

My DCs' primary school PTA ran a creche during performances - worked brilliantly.

Well baby probably overtired and hard to sooth and if it's a parent on their own the older kid really wants their parent to watch so it's tricky.

And all the other parents will be gutted to miss their kids’ lines too. If your youngest is being noisy you need to go out.

We never used mics. I have seen a couple where they do and I think it spoils it.

I don’t know what school nativities you’ve been to but I’ve never used a mic at any of mine 😄. We teach the kids to project their voices - we don’t have mics!

Yes, they should leave. When I was teaching they were always asked to do this but not all did.

School staff should step in and have them take the baby out - it’s unfair and off putting for all the kids and families.

I have a baby and absolutely would have left! In fact at my DDs nativity last week I sat on the end of a row near the door just in case 😅