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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to take a 7 month old to the cinema?

33 replies

catski · 24/07/2010 10:27

Just wondering if I would be stark staring mad to do this or whether it would breach some cinema etiquette that I have no clue about. Would like to take our 3 year old to see Toy Story this afternoon. It would be his first trip to the cinema, and both me and my dh would also like to go, but we have no babysitter for our 7 month old. Would it be unreasonable to take her too? She's normally a pretty placid baby, although I'm not sure if she'd fall asleep in a loud cinema, and I would take her out immediately if she started with any brouhaha.

Give it to me straight. I can take it. My afternoon is in your hands.

OP posts:
tokyonambu · 24/07/2010 10:30

There are mother and baby showings in some cinemas.

MoonUnitAlpha · 24/07/2010 10:32

It's a kids film, and if you're prepared to take her out the moment she starts disturbing people then I don't see a problem.

Taking a baby to a grown up movie late at night is a different matter - though there was a couple with a 3 month old in the cinema when I went to see the Star Trek movie

Original poster
catski · 24/07/2010 10:34

There's no mother and baby showing at any of our local cinemas unfortunately. Am trying to get through to an actual person to see if it's ok for her to go in but just get ridiculous voiceover man who doesn't give me the answers I want! Showcase cinemas in case anyone knows how to circumvent the system...

OP posts:
tokyonambu · 24/07/2010 10:37

I would say it's perfectly fine. There are odd occasions when a film that's notionally for children ends up having an entirely adult audience (those 9pm showings of Miyazaki/Ghibli U certificate animations are because there'll be loads of adults there en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ponyo) but in general no-one will care.

A baby may find it very noisy, though, and remember that young children may find 3D glasses a pain and will get a headache without them.

crisproll2 · 24/07/2010 10:38

When we went to see the Chipmunks at xmas there were a couple of babies there. It didn`t seem to be a problem with anyone. Both seemed to be asleep. That was Cineworld though.

toffeecupcake · 24/07/2010 10:40

Its a kids film so theres bound to lots of other kids making a noise and you did say you would take her out if she started crying. I took my dd to a film where there were a group of toddlers and their mums, the kids were making alot of noise but i didnt mind, it was one of the mums who was talking on her mobile for most of the film that got on my nerves. I would take her.

Original poster
catski · 24/07/2010 10:41

Just checked the cineworld website (our other option, although parking facilities not as good) which says they are happy to admit 'babes in arms' to a morning or afternoon show with a U, PG or 12A certificate so maybe it's not that uncommon.

They also seem to be showing TS in 2d which might be a) better for DS and b) less busy.

OP posts:
ppeatfruit · 24/07/2010 10:43

I've heard that the new Toystory is frightening, have you wondered if it's suitable for yr 3yr old? Yr little one may be freaked by the noise as well.!

BigWeeHag · 24/07/2010 10:44

All of mine have been at the cinema from weeks old. Never had a problem. I generally don't take them for a while between getting mobile and getting interested in the film, so DS2 has only just started going again at 18 months.

ben5 · 24/07/2010 10:45

i would go and see it 2d. my 4 year old hated the glasses for 3d. it'll be cheaper to! have fun

MilkNoSugarPlease · 24/07/2010 10:46

Youngest charge has been going since 4m with elder 2, we take the buggy and she falls asleep when it goes dark normally, but shes now 14m and sat ALL the way through shrek yesterday without a peep!

But even if she has been a little noisy snacks seem to work!

2blessed2bstressed · 24/07/2010 11:07

We went to see Toy Story earlier this week, there were a couple of babies there, it was fine, it's a kids film. I also went to see Inception with a friend - Def not kids film, quite convoluted plot - and wouldn't have been overly impressed if a baby had started up during that. Mind you, our cinema does allow babies into certain showings of films that are not for kids til they're 1 (I think, not sure of age exactly) but it's on the assumption that parents who can't get a babysitter can still have evening out, and the babies are so young that the films certification doesn't matter because they wont be taking it in - that's why there's a cut off age iyswim

Original poster
catski · 24/07/2010 11:10

Right, tickets booked at cineworld. There is of course a chance that the three year old will hate too. Worst case scenario, we all have to leave and it's twenty quid down the tube (and maybe a few pursed lips from the other cinema goers). Wish us luck!

OP posts:
tokyonambu · 24/07/2010 11:14

Kermode's review yesterday reckons TS3 is a borderline PG.

birdofthenorth · 24/07/2010 11:14

I'd be more worried about your 3yo tbh. You can take the baby out if she cries, but if your DS hates the noise and length of Toy Story 3 he may be put off cinema for life! My stepson wouldn't have been ready for a long film at 3 but you know your own bairn so up to you!

Wouldn't worry about the baby though, get an aisle seat within escaping distance and you'll be fine. Enjoy!

Gay40 · 24/07/2010 11:25

I went to see Toy Story 3 yesterday, and in front of us there was a family with a 6 month old baby in a travel cot/seat thin. Plus a 3 year old and a 2 year old.

I've complained to the cinema as the baby grizzled all the way through and irritated the audience (yes you could tell).

No-one should be allowed into the cinema unless they can sit quietly through it.

Sorry, everyone with babies, but I didn't spend the best part of £40 in the Odeon to have the film ruined by a baby.

NeverPushWhenItSaysPull · 24/07/2010 12:25

I'm with Gay40. I hate babies in the cinema. If I avoid going to a parent/toddler showing, then I don't want to see/hear other people's children. DH will be staying at home with 2-year-old so I can take 4-year-old to see it.

paisleyleaf · 24/07/2010 13:20

Would a baby that age not be scared and confused. The cinemas are so loud. It might be hard to keep them settled quietly.

ponceydog · 24/07/2010 13:31

Absolutely fine as you say you can take her out if she creates a fuss

fartblossom · 24/07/2010 13:42

I used to work in a cinema while at uni. I saw babies come in a few times. As long as you dont disturb other people then you should be fine. BTW other people going in and out of the cinema I often find annoying. The same when Im sat next to someone who is constantly looking at their phone (like last night) Make sure you sit next to the aisle so you're not asking anyone to move should you need to pop out. Also sit towards the back if you can to not disturb people less who you might need to walk past.

I saw Toy Story 3 last night with DH (I am taking DS (5YO) in a couple of weeks for his first ever cinema trip) and I didnt think it was scarey for young children really. No more than any children's TV program aimed at school children.

Hope you all have a good time.

NormalityBites · 24/07/2010 14:25

I've always taken DC to the cinema, from being 2 weeks old. Now my eldest is 4 we go weekly to the kids showings (£2.50 per kid and adults go free)

It'd be ridiculous to get upset by a child being taken to see a child's film in the daytime. If you don't want to see kids there, I suggets you go in the evenings or to see a different film.

SpringHeeledJack · 24/07/2010 14:32

We go to the pictures in Peckham

here taking babies in is the law. As is chatting to your neighbour all the way through

I took ds to see ET once. There was soooo much noise in the auditorium you literally couldn't hear a word

one poor boy of about 10 walked to the front and shouted above the racket: Please everyone be quiet- I want to watch the film!

there was a sudden surprised hush- then it all started up again

charley24 · 24/07/2010 14:43

Sorry but I find it annoying and I have had to sit thru a film and couldn't hear most of it because the baby was crying and the parents didn't leave.

I spent £40 on TS3 tickets on Monday and I wouldn't have been pleased to have to listen to a crying baby.

I personally didn't take mine until they were at least 4. I would take my eldest myself and hubby stayed at home with baby or vice versa.

JMO tho x

Gay40 · 24/07/2010 15:40

I've no real issue with the noise of kids enjoying the film. I went with DD 8 to an afternoon showing, there's going to be kids doing their thing. Also, the sound of a kid cheering at the action is cute, as is them having a good laugh at the funny bits.
However, this is not the same noise as a baby crying. Why would anyone think taking a baby to a cinema is sensible?????

Also read: getting up and down constantly, phones ringing, conversations about the plot, rustling of popcorn and slurping drinks. All should result in the guilty parties being banned.

runnybottom · 24/07/2010 16:30

You can complain all you like, but many cinemas have specific rules, and if they allow it, its tough for you. We went to cineworld the other day (over 35 quid for a family 3d ticket plus the glasses), and they specify that under 18 months are free and allowed in with a parent to any daytime film that is a 12a or below.

I didn't bring my baby along though, I'm not mental!