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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

taking a 4,2 and 1 year old to the cinema ?

85 replies

OnEdge · 24/08/2011 21:40

I just went along with them today to watch Smurfs. It started off OK, then my 1 year old got fed up and wanted to sleep, wouldn't settle so I took her out with the 2 year old. Then I settled her to sleep on my shoulder ( had to leave buggy downstairs ). We went back in then 2 year old could not sit still in his seat, ended up playing on the steps in the isle. I moved down to the front left by the door and just sat there cringing. The 2 year old just pottered about sitting on the steps and then sitting in his seat, but he was quiet. I felt as though my efforts to keep him sat in his seat were more distracting than letting him potter about. 4 year old was just good and enjoyed the film.

When I got home, my DH was Shock that I had even tried to take them, also a friend was a bit surprised.

WIBU ? Or is it OK when its a children's film ?

OP posts:
Original poster
OnEdge · 24/08/2011 22:25

If I could have taken my buggy in, I think it would have been easier because my 1 year old would have just konked out, and this would have freed me to sort out the 2 year old.

OP posts:
HeadfirstForHalos · 24/08/2011 22:31

That's mean to make you leave the buggy out. So long as it's not blocking an aisle or emergency exit, what's the harm? It keeps the younger dc contained!

snippywoo2 · 24/08/2011 22:32

TBH I dont think the littlens have the attention spam to last out a whole film, next time leave the younger ones with the Shock hubby or the surprised friend and just take the four year old. Grin

GypsyMoth · 24/08/2011 22:34

can you imagine if 10,15 or more parents turned up with a buggy to take in!!

do it for one and you're in trouble

Original poster
OnEdge · 24/08/2011 22:41

snippywoo2 trouble is DH was working, and I just couldn't ask my friends to look after 2 kids, they all have kids themselves. I will just give it a miss in future, seemingly I was dick to even attempt it.

OP posts:
MightyQuim · 24/08/2011 22:42

I don't think YABthatU. You are braver than I certainly. DD (nearly 4) will sit through a whole film and she possibly would have at age 2. DS who is 1 doesn't sit still for a second though and wouldn't go to sleep nicely on my shoulder either so I wouldn't even consider taking him for a good while.
It doesn't sound like you ruined the film though. You took your crying baby out and your toddler had a bit of a toddle in the dark - that's much less disruption that I've experienced at kids films in the past!

Original poster
OnEdge · 24/08/2011 22:42

IloveTiffany Really, what happened to you ? Please tell me

OP posts:
Original poster
OnEdge · 24/08/2011 22:46

MightyQuim Thanks for your kind words Grin

OP posts:
HeadfirstForHalos · 24/08/2011 22:50

We've been going to the kids club showings for year [cheapskate emoticon] and I've never seen more than 4/5 buggies, even when it's a sell out. I assume the staff could use their discretion and common sense, and if too many buggies were coming in, tell the later-comers that there isn't any more space left for buggies and to leave them at xyz.

HeadfirstForHalos · 24/08/2011 22:51

for years not year.

Nospringflower · 24/08/2011 22:53

I used to take mine when they were that age and it usually worked fine - sometimes took their cousins along too so would have two 4 year olds, two 2 year olds and a 1 year old. I think it depends on lots of things, you, the children, the cinema, the film etc. Lots of people never try anything for fear that it doesnt work out when lots of the time it does.

GypsyMoth · 24/08/2011 22:54

well,DD is 17 and needed to be 18 to take her brother into a 12a film.....so she 'passed' for 18

i bought the ticket (just one as it was orange wednesday) they saw planet of the apes which they both loved.

she loves and adores him,he's almost 9,and knows how to look after him,so i had no concerns

HeadfirstForHalos · 24/08/2011 22:57

ILoveTiffany that's lovely they have just a great relationship and enjoy doing stuff like that together.

HeadfirstForHalos · 24/08/2011 22:59

such not just, you can tell I've spent the day with 12 dc Grin I'm frazzled!

captainbarnacle · 24/08/2011 23:00

YANBU - I took my 4yr, 2yr and 6w old boys to the cinema a couple of weeks ago. It was the 10am £1 showing, but the 4yr and 2yr were perfectly behaved and the tiny baby just slept on my lap.

It can be done.

snippywoo2 · 24/08/2011 23:03

snippywoo2 trouble is DH was working, and I just couldn't ask my friends to look after 2 kids, they all have kids themselves. I will just give it a miss in future, seemingly I was dick to even attempt it.

No you wernt, at least you tried all you have to do is pick the right films any film by pixar are a good start dont worry about the 2yr old sitting in a seat they will find the best place they want to sit as long as they are in your sight chill before you know it you will all be at the cinema having a great time.

snippywoo2 · 24/08/2011 23:10

Oh and my comment about leaving the little ones with the hubby or friend was more about them and the way they reacted than you making the effort to take them not against you taking them in the first place Smile

Original poster
OnEdge · 25/08/2011 02:28

Thanks snippySmile

OP posts:
mummytotwoboys · 25/08/2011 09:12

Been there and done it - 3DCs for Winnie the Pooh, Cars 2, Tangled and Gnomeo and Juliet. Except there were 3,2 and a few months. baby slept all the way through, 2 year old slept a bit and played up a bit but he was ok on someones knee. 3 year old sat all the way through. Other people with kids dont tend to mind a small child crying a little or occasionally narrating the film. If you go in the afternoon instead of evening its fine.

toniguy · 25/08/2011 09:49

Yabu because its not fair to other older children and their parent- HOWEVER in your defence its refreshing to see a poster who holds their hands up and just admits to having got it wrong. Most threads like this ask AIBU but when people point out yes you are, they then rant and try to stand their ground.

Anyway lesson learned- I would keep cinema trips just for the eldest when you have a babysitter or your partner is around, as your 4 yr old was clearly having a good time. But 1 and 2 are really too little to sit still and be interested for that long.

cherrypez · 25/08/2011 09:49

I don't think [on edge's] little ones actually bothered anyone did they? The baby was taken outside until she fell asleep and the toddler, although fidgeting, was quiet. I wouldn't have been bothered by it at all.

toniguy · 25/08/2011 10:17

A child playing on the steps or in the aisle even quietly is likely to be distracting to a lot of people. I think in these situations its only fair to consider how anyone else may feel, not just our own personal view eg personally I wouldn't give a monkeys whether someone danced naked in the aisle during the smurfs- in fact it would add to the experience for me! But seriously, other childrens enjoyment was probably affected, and their parents who may have forked out quite a lot, possibly as a special treat because god knows its expensive doing these things, were probably hacked off. One child being allowed to play in the aisle is likely to lead to other kids getting up or asking to play too. So not a good idea really.

ThePosieParker · 25/08/2011 10:35

Jeez....oh dear.

frazzle26 · 25/08/2011 11:52

My son is 8.5 and it's only in the last year that he has been able to sit through an entire film without running around being silly. Tbh, I'm really impressed with the 4 year old sitting so nicely!!

NacMacFeegle · 25/08/2011 11:56

OP, I've taken my 3 dozens of times, it's not a silly thing to do. Just stick with kids clubs until the kids get the hang of it - and they will, mine are 7, 6 and 2 and sit through more or less anything.