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Original poster

Help!! Can I leave DD age 6 alone in the cinema?

50 replies

Muuuuuuum2 · 03/12/2019 17:57

Im at the cinema with both my DC watching frozen. Youngest (age 3) needs the toilet and oldest (very sensible 6 year old) doesn’t want to miss any of the film. The toilets are right next door. Can I leave eldest and take youngest?

OP posts:

Nicknacky · 03/12/2019 18:39

Can people really not make simple decisions without having to consult strangers on a forum?

MrsPelligrinoPetrichor · 03/12/2019 18:41

No, it'll take two mins just all go together.

I had an awful experience as a young adult in a very packed cinema.

yasle · 03/12/2019 18:46

The chances are she’ll be fine but I would not take the small risk that there is a groper/worse in the cinema who spots she’s alone. After all if you wanted to grope a little child then going to that movie would provide you with a good opportunity.

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BIWI · 03/12/2019 18:47

@MrsFoxPlus4Again I take it you've never been to the cinema then, and seen someone using their phones? The screen light is incredibly bright in the darkness of the theatre!

DesMartinsPetCat · 03/12/2019 18:48

Wow. I’ve seen some fairly basic questions on here, but this is something else.

How does someone manage to raise children, without being able to apply independent thought to a situation like this?

Also, using a phone at my local cinema will get you kicked out. Zero tolerance policy. It’s great.

mbosnz · 03/12/2019 18:49

No, the child is not old enough to manage alone in any sort of emergency. And slim as the chances are, they are still there, that there could be an emergency in the time you are gone.

Aquilla · 03/12/2019 18:53

Depends who else is around to be honest.

WendyMoiraAngelaDarling · 03/12/2019 18:54

Personally I never did. If one needed to go then we all went. I just didn't feel comfortable leaving my child like that. I'm sure some will say I am overprotective and looking back I probably was but I don't think I would do it any differently.

AliceLittle · 03/12/2019 18:58

@BIWI right cos a phone is going to be the most disturbing thing in a cinema full of kids watching frozen

afterme · 03/12/2019 19:01

I could never have left my children at that age. I had one who was very clingy and would not want to be left and another who would possibly have gone for a walk and when I got back she would be gone.

So I say it depends on your child and how sensible they are and obviously who else is in the cinema.

BIWI · 03/12/2019 19:05

Yes, @AliceLittle, it would just add further to the disturbances. But that aside, it's something that's expressly forbidden in all cinemas I've been to, for that very reason!

MarshaBradyo · 03/12/2019 19:05

They do say the light is as annoying as the sound at the beginning of the movie re phones when they tell you to switch it off.

Which is good because it is. Even if you’re watching Frozen which we did on the weekend

YouSawThePlans · 03/12/2019 19:08

I wouldn't in case the cinema was evacuated. I've had to move screens mid-movie before because there was a problem with a projector.

bobstersmum · 03/12/2019 19:11

Crikey this isn't aibu! Yes it's a silly question but all the hassle about phones in a cinema is uncalled for.

formerbabe · 03/12/2019 19:21

I'd take them both to the toilet or if I was sitting next to another mum, I'd ask her if she'd mind keeping an eye on them for me.

Ebonyandivory2 · 03/12/2019 19:21

What a nonsensical question. Get off your phone and just take them both to the toilet. Your child is “desperate” but you’ve got plenary of time to post on Mumsnet about it 🙄

NoKnit · 03/12/2019 19:27

Seriously don't see the issue. If the cinema is evacuated then the toilets will be too and you can shout and scream like mad and your daughter will be found.

I would leave a 6 year old yes. But then I leave a 6 year old at home and let my 6 year old go out short distances on his own. I don't live in the UK and it is totally normal here. Nobody would bat an eyelid if a 6 year old was left in cinema here.

MrsWhites · 03/12/2019 19:28

In this situation I would ask another parent nearby to keep an eye on her.

maddiemookins16mum · 03/12/2019 19:41

I’m waiting for the thread from people sat behind you in the cinema.

Original poster

Muuuuuuum2 · 03/12/2019 20:56

Okay... now that I’m home and kids are in bed, I will clarify a few things.

DD2 has been toilet trained for just shy of 2 years. When she asks to go to the toilet, she doesn’t need to go immediately. It simply means she needs to go at some point soonish. I quietly whispered to DD1 who was sat next to me and she asked if she could please please stay. It was at a pretty crucial part of the movie and DD2 had momentarily forgotten and was engrossed in the movie again.

I don’t know about all of you but my phone allows me to dim the brightness of the screen so I set my screen to as low as it could go and had it tucked in the side of my jacket when I posted. There was a family sitting about 4 rows back from us and about 5 other families dotted around the cinema and I know the light from my phone was dim enough and well hidden enough not to bother anyone.

My gut instinct was that DD1 should come with me but I could also see her point of view on not wanting to miss a vital part of the film. She has been anticipating this film for months and was so excited to be there. In the end, DD1 changed her mind as she was too scared to stay on her own so she came with us anyway.

Thanks for all the replies. I’m really glad I posted because in all honesty, it hadn’t crossed my mind about fire alarms etc. Next time I’ll trust my gut feeling ☺️

OP posts:

Brillopadtongue · 04/12/2019 06:00

Id take them both 6 is too young 8 is ok.
Lights from mobiles in cinema never disrupted me, its not a big deal at all to me.

Brillopadtongue · 04/12/2019 06:03

My 6 year old wouldve been scared andwouldve said so later. So i wouldnt take a 6 year olds opinion of asituation she was never in before to appreciate fully, im the adult and i go by my own judgement as i know i will hear tales of how frightening itwas told to me abd anyone who will listen of how bad mummy abandoned me in the dark 😂

mathanxiety · 04/12/2019 06:29

Never.

Goatinthegarden · 04/12/2019 06:37

I went to see Mr Bean as a young child with my parents and brother. Me and my bro wanted to sit at the front by ourselves and be ‘grown up’ so my parents sat further back where they could see us. The cinema wasn’t very busy, lots of empty seats. About halfway through the film, a large, odd sweaty man came and sat right next to me, breathing funny and staring right at me. I had no idea what was going on, but my dad was straight over with a strong word and had him removed. We weren’t allowed to sit alone after that....

I’m sure that’s not common occurrence, and I have no idea what the guy’s intent really was, but I wouldn’t risk it.

MrsPelligrinoPetrichor · 04/12/2019 16:58

I’m sure that’s not common occurrence, and I have no idea what the guy’s intent really was, but I wouldn’t risk it

Common enough for it to have happened to 2 people on this thread. No way would I do it.

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