For my 6 and 11 year old to watch a film at the cinema without me

Oh come on, kids films aren't that bad. Have a nap if you really can't stand it.

Six is too young to be looked after by an 11 year old in public. I'd probably say 15 with a 6 year old. Two 11 year olds on their own with you nearby - yes fine. They're old enough to have some independence. I would leave an 11 year old and 6 year old at home by themselves briefly, assuming they were both on screens or otherwise occupied, and both reasonably sensible.

Not mollycoddling, but 6 year olds have absolutely no common sense or idea of safety (I have one). The 11 year old would be in loco parentis and that's too much responsibility.

I'm 71 and we definitely went to the cinema without adults at 11. At 5 we would go to the Saturday morning kids session but I suppose that was safer as no adults in the cinema other than staff. Sometimes the older kids were a bit intimidating but I wouldn't have missed it.

I've sat through many many films that I didn't want to see - it's called being a parent! 6 is too young to be unaccompanied by an adult.

I sat through Dogman with my DS last week. The film is exactly how you imagine it's going to be, BUT, sitting and listening to my son giggling away and having the time of his life made it all worth it. It meant a lot to him. And I am sure, you will get more pleasure out of seeing your kids enjoying themselves than from the film itself. It'll be worth it. Promise.

I've seen that film... didn't end well for the burglars though!

I’m taking my 5 year old and 9 year old to see it today. I must admit I don’t particularly fancy it but it’s 1hr and 29 minutes long. It’s nothing really, I want my kids to enjoy a movie in half term, we aren’t going for my benefit.

Too young, part of being a parent is enduring these films; it comes with the territory! I actually went to see it with my dcs, one of them is 5, and didn't find it scary in the least, you do know it is a U right? Just get some nice snacks and stop being selfish op; they aren't little for long, enjoy it while it lasts!! Disclaimer: I disliked the film, but seeing my dcs like it was enough! 😍

Oh and yeah, 6 year old would need adult supervision.

As is often the case, first reply has it nailed.

I didn't think it was that bad, some of the humour is aimed at adults but admittedly I wasn't 100% engrossed. Kids loved it, lots of laughter from them and others during the movie.

Sorry, but no. 6 is too little to be under the supervision of an 11yo. What if the worst did happen and the little one choked. Would the 11yo know what to do? Would they shout for help? Would they even notice something was wrong if they were looking the other way, engrossed in a film?

I could just about get on board if you were just sat out in the lobby, so the kids could just walk out if there was a problem. But how are they meant to find you if you're in a completely different screen? Mine are in the middle of your 2 ages, but I don't think they'd have the confidence to walk into the middle of another screening, presumably dark and blaring noise, to try and track me down. What are they supposed to do? Stand at the front and shout "MUM!"?

Responses are predictably batshit. They'll be absolutely fine.

currently sat at soft play with coffee and book. The dc are playing. My life changed dramatically when they announced one day they didn’t need me to play anymore.

im cross that our local cinema (the only one on the island) isn’t showing kids films this half term.

I actually enjoyed it, it's an expansion on the books, and I loved seeing my son's joy at seeing it on the big screen.

If you refuse to go in, I think you have to sit somewhere outside and wait. If you go into another screen and the kids come out cos they need you they'll either not find you or disturb another audience coming in looking for you.

We saw it last Thursday it wasn't that bad.
Obviously it's a kids movie, but it'll make them happy, so what.;)

Utterly selfish. Stick some earplugs in and have a nap but go with them.

Or find a kinder adult that will.

That it's a small cinema out of town doesn't make it any safer. What if 11 year old wants to go to the loo and leaves the 6 year old?

Apparently it's the worst thing in the world to do this😐

I did this with a twelve year old and a fifteen year old. Fifteen year old did not want to sit through 'Little Women' with me and his sister, so went to film on other screen (sci-fi, I think). But I would not do it with a six year old and an eleven year old. If they want to see it then you go in too. It won't be that bad and you might enjoy watching a film with your kids.

This is what earbuds and podcasts are for

How old were our parents when they went to Saturday Matinee with their older siblings and no adult?

Seriously though, in the modern era of safeguarding, I suspect minors need to be accompanied by somebody at least 16 and a cinema would enforce that.

Right...sit at the back away from people. Indo it all the time. Not bothering anyone 😁

As a general thing, not specific to this situation...

I think would I let my younger child do this alone (such as staying at home, or going to the park, or going to the shopping centre). If the answer is yes, then shes old enough to do it with her sibling. A much smaller age gap (19 months) though.

I remember Saturday morning matinées in the 70s - they were intended specifically for unaccompanied children and adults (other than cinema staff) weren't supposed to be there. On the one hand, how well it was policed depended on the management. On the other an auditorium full of yelling little hellions v one nasty perve. . .also, many parents tended to send older siblings with those closest to them in age, not little ones. At 12, I was going with Dsis 9 and 7 but the youngest two were at home.