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Original poster

To have told my nearly five year old to be quiet when watching a film?

68 replies

dogwithahat · 01/10/2025 18:09

This evening I put Room on the Broom on for my children. DS is just talking incessantly all the way through it and after a couple of polite requests I told him that it was rude and if he didn’t want to watch it I’d turn it off.

I feel like it was a bit harsh but I desperately needed him to stop talking for a while.

OP posts:
FcukBreastCancer · 01/10/2025 19:08

I remember when my dd was a similar age, I challenged her to a competition of not talking.

Zippidydoodah · 01/10/2025 19:07

dogwithahat · 01/10/2025 18:21

you wanted your excited 5 year old to shut the fuck up even though he was excited about what he was telling you and you wanted to invalidate his excitement because it was a bit inconvenient for you?

Well. Yes. 😂

I am a good, attentive and kind parent but I won’t lie, I really DID need him to STFU for a while!

🤣🤣🤣

even five year olds need to be taught that there’s a time and a place for incessant chatter. We are raising entitled snowflakes.

PractisingMyTelekenipsis · 01/10/2025 19:07

YANBU. Perhaps if more parents told their 5 year olds they need to be quiet when watching a film then my theatre and cinema trips wouldn't be ruined by idiots who dont know when to shut tf up.

warmapplepies · 01/10/2025 19:07

BriefEncountersOfTheThirdKind · 01/10/2025 18:29

Sounds like OP only put the film on to shut him up though

Which is why I feel sorry for him

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I mean, why is that a big deal though? Kids are noisy and irritating 🤣

PurpleChrayn · 01/10/2025 19:05

I tell mine to stop yapping multiple times a day. I thought everyone did! Blush

CuriousKangaroo · 01/10/2025 19:04

Not only are you not being unreasonable, I think teaching children that there are times when they should be quieter is a good thing.

I say this as someone still annoyed by spending £200 to see the Lion King with my DD recently, during which the child behind us talked incessantly and the mother didn’t even try to stop him. It’s bad parenting not to teach your kids good manners.

Mistyglade · 01/10/2025 18:58

Shitting on someone else’s excitement. I think you need help.

No anyway, it’s about parenting small children.

EmpressaurusKitty · 01/10/2025 18:56

Ilovepastafortea · 01/10/2025 18:23

Yes do this with GC. Pause TV/film let them comment if it's relevant fine, if not remind them everyone watching the programme & not to interrupt if not relevant. If they're not interested, then go to do something else.

Though often have to do this with DH as well 😂

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Yes, I was just thinking I wish that worked with my dad.

SummerEve · 01/10/2025 18:56

For goodness sake, this is basic parenting isn’t it? Why exactly would it be unreasonable?

Mistyglade · 01/10/2025 18:53

BriefEncountersOfTheThirdKind · 01/10/2025 18:19

Was he talking about the film?
Was he disturbing the others?

Or was it just that you wanted your excited 5 year old to shut the fuck up even though he was excited about what he was telling you and you wanted to invalidate his excitement because it was a bit inconvenient for you?

Jesus christ mate are you ok?

Worriedalltheday · 01/10/2025 18:53

HeadsWinTailsLose · 01/10/2025 18:32

How else will they learn to shut up in the cinema.

Exactly. The tip toeing scared to be a parent is just becoming ridiculous

Worriedalltheday · 01/10/2025 18:52

You had to really ask if this was ok? Surely if your child is being a nuisance to everyone else you tell them
to pipe down. What’s with this being so wet around your kids?

Nospecialcharactersplease · 01/10/2025 18:39

BriefEncountersOfTheThirdKind · 01/10/2025 18:30

The part where you don't want him to be quiet because it's rude but because he's talking too much for your liking

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It’s totally fine to tell someone to be quiet because they are talking too much for your liking. One person talking involves another person listening - it’s a two person activity that requires the agreement of both.

Unless you think that mothers are just service animals, of course.

HeadsWinTailsLose · 01/10/2025 18:32

How else will they learn to shut up in the cinema.

TheatricalLife · 01/10/2025 18:32

I've been there. I usually just say that we can talk about the film afterwards, but we need to watch quietly so we don't miss anything.
It gets overwhelming being talked at sometimes. I don't think there is anything wrong with asking for some quiet time if it's phrased gently.

KirstenNotKristen · 01/10/2025 18:31

Whatifitallgoesright · 01/10/2025 18:14

So you have other children who were trying to watch it? Of course he needs to be quiet as he's ruining their enjoyment. He can find something else to do if he can't keep quiet. You're going to say he's 14 now arent you?

I know some posters don’t fully read the OP but come on, the title is in big bold letters - read that at least and you’ll see the kids age!

Coffeeishot · 01/10/2025 18:31

BriefEncountersOfTheThirdKind · 01/10/2025 18:29

Sounds like OP only put the film on to shut him up though

Which is why I feel sorry for him

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Yes putting a film or the tv on for distraction and for a minutes peace is usual parenting tactics.

OhNoNotSusan · 01/10/2025 18:30

i reckon the film was boring

BriefEncountersOfTheThirdKind · 01/10/2025 18:30

dogwithahat · 01/10/2025 18:22

So we agree that telling someone to stop talking is OK, so I’ve no idea what you think I’ve done wrong here!

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The part where you don't want him to be quiet because it's rude but because he's talking too much for your liking

Coffeeishot · 01/10/2025 18:29

I know he is at home but he can't chat through his teacher at school telling or a story or watching something at school they do need to learn to listen.

BriefEncountersOfTheThirdKind · 01/10/2025 18:29

NuffSaidSam · 01/10/2025 18:26

You're absolutely right in your first line.

And that remains true no matter how excited you are.

Your excitement doesn't make talking through a film not rude.

The good news for the OP's five year old is that he now knows that while you've only just found that out presumably as an adult. If only your parents were as good at teaching social skills as the OP!

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Sounds like OP only put the film on to shut him up though

Which is why I feel sorry for him

Needmorelego · 01/10/2025 18:28

Had he seen it before or did he know the book?
Sounds like he was just narrating it.
My daughter was a similar age when she basically had to learn that her inner dialogue has to stay inner.

Coffeeishot · 01/10/2025 18:26

dogwithahat · 01/10/2025 18:21

you wanted your excited 5 year old to shut the fuck up even though he was excited about what he was telling you and you wanted to invalidate his excitement because it was a bit inconvenient for you?

Well. Yes. 😂

I am a good, attentive and kind parent but I won’t lie, I really DID need him to STFU for a while!

I mean 😂

Did he settle down he probably needs to switch off tbf and reset, asking,/telling him to be quiet is no bad thing.

Original poster
dogwithahat · 01/10/2025 18:26

MummytoE · 01/10/2025 18:23

Do you run every parenting choice through a forum? I mean come on.

If I’m sitting down, I’m holding my phone, and I’m wondering something, what’s the problem?

Do you answer every thread you don’t approve of like that? I mean, come on.

OP posts:
NuffSaidSam · 01/10/2025 18:26

BriefEncountersOfTheThirdKind · 01/10/2025 18:21

Talking through films isn't OK

But neither is shitting on someone else's excitement because they're talking too much for you

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You're absolutely right in your first line.

And that remains true no matter how excited you are.

Your excitement doesn't make talking through a film not rude.

The good news for the OP's five year old is that he now knows that while you've only just found that out presumably as an adult. If only your parents were as good at teaching social skills as the OP!

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