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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to leave nine year old twins at the cinema alone cos I don't want to watch Horrid bloody Henry!

44 replies

WonderMa · 10/08/2011 11:24

Want to drop DTSs, buy tickets and then leave them. I will be about a 10 min drive away shopping in Sainsburys and will be there before the film ends to collect them.

One is sensible, one very silly. They have both been warned on the pain of death not to misbehave, split up or leave the cinema (on a busy retail park).

They will have my mobile number written down in case of emergencies so a staff member could ring me.

AIBU to worry about doing this and extremely PFB (even though they're not)?

OP posts:
JustFiveMinutesHAHAHA · 10/08/2011 11:26

As you have one that is very silly YANBU to worry about them. I think the first time I'd sit in the complex with a book - see how it goes.

AKMD · 10/08/2011 11:26

YABU, it is not a 'staff member's' responsibility to look after your children. If you really don't want to see the film, find a responsible adult who is happy to go with them.

Fuzzywuzzywozabear · 10/08/2011 11:28

I'd be sitting in the foyer with a book too, sorry OP

HauntedLittleLunatic · 10/08/2011 11:30

I am thinking of doing the same with my 10yo twins. But they are sensible. They are both mature and have just spent a week developing their independance at Butlins.

They will both have their own mobile phones on them, I will make sure I am back BEFORE film ends. It is a small cinema (not a huge 14-16 screen affair) and tbh depending what else is showing will probably stay insure and watch another film with younger Dd.

nykxx · 10/08/2011 11:30

youve got to trust them for the first time some time, why not now. hang around for 10 mins or so. by then they will be bored and mucking around or deep into the film, go do your shopping as quick as you can and come back before the film ends. speak to a younger member of staff (pref female) and she will prob go all gooey and say no probs to keeping an eye on them!!!

BendyBob · 10/08/2011 11:31

Yanbu not to want to watch HH. I'd do as Justfive suggests and sit in the complex with a book and a coffee or whatever.

I have v sensible 9 yr old dt's and sat through Harry Potter (which baffles meBlush) the other day. I def wouldn't leave them yet though. They're too young to be left whilst I drive away imho.

Zippylovesgeorge · 10/08/2011 11:33

Sorry but IMO part of being a parent is having to watch crappy kids movies - I've had to endure all sorts of tosh over the years.

IF it was a little local cinema then maybe it would be ok but a big multiplex no - its not their job to look after your kids - its yours.

cat64 · 10/08/2011 11:33

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

MorticiaAddams · 10/08/2011 11:34

YANBU, they're old enough to go on their own.

JustFiveMinutesHAHAHA · 10/08/2011 11:34

nykxx - 'go all gooey' over a couple of 9 year old boys? Hmm

No offence OP - I'm sure they're lovely, but I've not known any cinema staff who would go 'all gooey' over a couple of 9 year olds??

ProcrastinatorGeneral · 10/08/2011 11:38

My eight year old would be fine on her own, but there is a starbucks just outside the cinema and I would sit there and read.

Only you can make the call, if you think it's about time they learned to watch crap films on their own, go for it, but stay in the complex the first time.

cricketballs · 10/08/2011 11:39

read a book in the building; the first time I let my eldest watch a film on his own (he was on a date!) I took a book, bought a coffee and sat in the bar area.

At least then you will know if they can be trusted in the future or not

BendyBob · 10/08/2011 11:39

'Go all gooey' LolGrin

It's not fair to put someone who is at work and that you don't know in a position of 'keeping an eye' on your dc. Especially if one is prone to being very silly.

spiderpig8 · 10/08/2011 11:45

But the issue is surely about whether the 'silly' one will disrupt other cinema goers?
You need to be in the auditorium to monitor that not reading abook in teh cafe? Besides cinema staff are not in the auditorium during the screening are they? so how could they keep an eye out? it would be up to one of the other customers to have to leave the showing and inform the staff theta your DS was misbehaving.And that's really not on.

mairyhinge · 10/08/2011 11:53

Hmmmm. my DS is 9, just, and i would not leave him with his (very sensible) freind, as he just would go maaaaarrrrrrrddddd with the freedom, i'm sure of it!!
Fwiw, i took them to see Horrid Henry last week, was dreading it,and did consider leaving them,BUT can't believe i'm saying this i actually enjoyed the film, and found it very funny!! Except for the bit with Dick and Dom in, cos they are fucking loons idiotic.

Fifis25StottieCakes · 10/08/2011 11:57

I would, just make sure your theres 10 minutes before it finishes. I used to get the bus bymyself to the cinema at 10 with my friends

TeamDamon · 10/08/2011 11:58

My friend and I took our 8 year olds to see this yesterday. It was mind-numbingly awful, and we had been tempted to see them into the cinema and then go for a coffee, but we sat through it. Only you know your DTs well enough - I think you need to be certain they won't misbehave.

cyb · 10/08/2011 12:00

You'll probably find one is only silly for your benefit when you are there, and will be fine if alone

plus its Horrid Henry for Heavens sake

THAT's what they should make all those looters watch!

Gay40 · 10/08/2011 12:12

I had the same misgivings over Alvin and the Chipmunks 2. I feel I am owed a massive favour from DP and DD's father, as I had to take 3 eight year olds on my own Hmm.
DD 9 is sensible, as is her friend, and I'd trust them to go in on their own and behave, although I'd hang around not far away. However, only you know if your two are ready.

Marymaryalittlecontrary · 10/08/2011 12:14

When you say silly, do you mean that he can't sit still in a cinema when you're there with him? If he has an adult with him and still fidgets, fusses, whispers, gets up and down, etc then no, I wouldn't leave him with just his brother. But, if he always sits still while watching a film (and is just silly on other occasions) then yes, I probably would allow it. Like you said, with strict instructions on behaviour, and threats about what will happen if you find out they misbehaved! Also, I'm another who went to Horrid Henry with a child expecting it to be dire and actually it wasn't too bad! Not brilliant obviously, but at least watchable. I think it has enough in it to maintain the interest of your twins for the entire film anyway.

Mumwithadragontattoo · 10/08/2011 12:16

YANBU.

joric · 10/08/2011 12:41

I think it's ok OP. You have made sure that they can contact you whilst you are at Sainsburys.
Remind them of consequences if they fail to follow your instructions though.

pointydog · 10/08/2011 12:52

If one of them is very silly, yabu.

A cinema near me has an age limit for leaving kids on their own. Can't remember what the age is. I did ask once and I had to go in with dd and her friends. Maybe kids had to be 12.

LadyClariceCannockMonty · 10/08/2011 12:53

YANBU in principle, but in reality I can imagine them kicking off, talking, getting on their phones etc, and I don't think it's fair to other people in the cinema to make them put up with that.

Anyway, I know the film looks shite but it might be worth sitting through for Angelica Huston.

superjobee · 10/08/2011 12:58

i used to go to the cinema with 2 or three friends when i was about 9/10 and we were never any bother and we were a bunch of immature fuckwits a bit silly :)

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