To think you should leave the room with your screaming baby?

[reventiania]

DS nativity today, 120 kids in the performance.

Throughout 75% of it, there were two babies (aged around 12 months) that were screaming and crying. It made it impossible to hear what the children were saying, and it essentially ruined the whole thing.

AIBU to think they should have left the room with them? I'm so cross for the children as they've worked so hard, just for crying babies to drown out their voices.

It can be. If you can't hear the kids a lot of them are very quiet

Good!

If the parent does not have the decency to leave the performance then they should quite rightly be ousted by one of the senior teachers.

This is not a new problem. There should be an announcement at the start to make it clear that screaming babies need to be calmed or taken outside.

I think YABU

Yes they should have taken them outside. I know it’s not always possible but this is why I would always bring someone with me. Mum, brother, friend, husband etc. then someone can stay while the other takes the baby out.

So that makes it okay to ruin the performance for everybody else? Entitlement much.

If the home dynamic is like that then the family need to make arrangements for a family member to attend without the baby.

And if the home dynamic is already like that then that's their issue to sort out and isn't going ro be sorted out by the school play

The parents who have young babies should tell their children who are performing:

“If baby brother/sister starts crying then I’ll have to take them outside. It might mean I miss some of the play, but it’s not fair on everyone else trying to listen”.

Of course. So much better that everyone else is upset than your child.

You can really spot the parents of these crying, nativity disrupting children on this thread can't you

Absolutely! It's fascinating reading the tone deaf justification - so little self-awareness
.

Yes it's all me me me and their child.

YANBU but parents like this are everywhere now. It's all about their little family, their needs, what their situation is at home. Pointing out that other people exist and have their own needs is like trying to speak to them in another language.

(This thread is also why nobody believes people when they say they'll take babies out at the first fuss. Nobody does.)

Absolutely and I would have zero qualms about voicing it aloud.
The children and teachers work hard at these plays and do not deserve to have them spoilt by one selfish person.

I’d never have taken a baby to a nativity, it’s stressful. It meant I missed several performances in the early years when my dh couldn’t either go instead or look after the youngest while I go.

I wouldn't be more sorry for them than the 100 other parents some of whom have taken annual leave or grandparents who had to travel a distance to attend and who are now unable to watch the nativity. Loudly wailing big babies (12 months old, so soon toddlers rather than babies in arms) can upset the young children whose lines get drowned out by those spoilt babies, especially if they are a bit shy or nervous. They will have practiced for weeks it' just such a selfish thing of the parents not to take out their crying babies and spoil the nativity for everyone.

Of course teachers won't ask them to leave, they are too scared of those who are already inconsiderate. The inconsiderate rule the world now, and their spoilt and entitled offspring will be unable to ever take no for an answer or deal with minor disappointments in life.

Might as well stop doing any communal things such as nativities as people don't know any longer how to behave in a non obnoxious way in public. Everyone is out for their own gratification and don't seem to see that there are others around Tham that also might matter.

Another top tip is that if you DO have to take a baby or a toddler, then DON’T install yourself in the middle of a row. Chose a seat on the end and as near to the door as possible so you can slip out with the least disruption possible.

I am always for not being THAT parent but if I were you I would actually say something to the school/ head:

Dear Mrs X
We enjoyed little Tommy's nativity so much and we know your staff work so hard to make it happen. We felt a few unsettled babies made it really hard to hear. Could parents be possibly reminded next time to take them out?

It was highly likely the teachers were really pissed off by it too and sometimes schools need a bit of back up from other parents about stuff like this.

Like others have said, our school has no siblings policy and no recording. Been in place for a few years and is followed by parents. Nativity was particularly lovely this year - only two classes, everyone had a speaking part, all lovely and clear, and not too long. Perfect!

Sorry but no, you are acting like the rest of the world doesn't matter.

If the family dynamic is stretched that is on the parent.

Honestly I see it time and time again when parents expect schools and teaching staff to parent for them.

All of those children will have put in so much time and effort in to have it ruined by a ill mannered and entitled adult, i hope she is ashamed but i doubt it.

So you're happy for your child to not be able to be heard and be upset knowing you couldn't hear their lines if it means another child isn't upset?

Head teacher reminds at EVERY assembly, school play etc.
"Ooh it's lovely to see the little ones in the audience, but if they do become unsettled or noisy please use any door to take them out to settle them and then come back to join us "
No offence given or taken, even when it's just one baby in the room. I once parked my twins in the hallway and watched in the ajar door. I can make it up to my child, I can't make it up to a whole school

Our school didn't allow babies and younger siblings (nursery children watched with the school children and behaved perfectly!)

But we always did a video of the performance (fab fundraiser) so they could also watch at their leisure with their DC at home

At our show they made it very clear everyone have a ticket (including toddlers) so most people didn't bring their toddlers. Of course some did and kicked off at the door when they were told they didn't have enough tickets. As the headteacher was asking everyone to kindly remove screaming children to the reception area she had to raise her voice to be heard over the already screaming baby, the mum of whom chose not to remove her. Schools can't win. We previously had mics but one little boy shouted every single line without warning!

Typical of the me me me society.