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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Would you take a two year old to a pantomime?

102 replies

mrsclaus44 · 22/12/2024 10:15

Dh and I were meant to be taking our older dc to the Christmas panto later. Our two year old was going to be babysat by her grandma.

Unfortunately Dh is unwell and can't go. So I wondered if I could use his ticket for our 2 year old. I just don't know how she will react. It's about 2.5 hours long with an intermission. From previous years it will be loud and busy and there are some mildly scary bits. Our seats are on the end of an aisle so I'd be able to take her out quickly if needed but equally I don't want her to be going out every 5 minutes because she's being loud. What do you think?

OP posts:
Tubetrain · 22/12/2024 10:15

No way.

FourEyesGood · 22/12/2024 10:15

Definitely not. None of you will enjoy the experience, and nor will the people around you.

Irie1980 · 22/12/2024 10:16

No chance

ApolloandDaphne · 22/12/2024 10:16

Absolutely not.

Dishwashersaurous · 22/12/2024 10:17

Not unless you have an incredibly well behaved and compliant two year old.

Blakehouse · 22/12/2024 10:17

Oh no I wouldn’t

MauveVelcro · 22/12/2024 10:17

Can't grandma still babysit the youngest?

I would leave plans as they are, except dh doesn't come as he's ill. Maybe see if one of the dc has a friend available to use up the spare ticket?

Purpleturtle46 · 22/12/2024 10:17

mrsclaus44 · 22/12/2024 10:15

Dh and I were meant to be taking our older dc to the Christmas panto later. Our two year old was going to be babysat by her grandma.

Unfortunately Dh is unwell and can't go. So I wondered if I could use his ticket for our 2 year old. I just don't know how she will react. It's about 2.5 hours long with an intermission. From previous years it will be loud and busy and there are some mildly scary bits. Our seats are on the end of an aisle so I'd be able to take her out quickly if needed but equally I don't want her to be going out every 5 minutes because she's being loud. What do you think?

Personally I wouldn't. Especially if it means you would need to leave if your 2 year old didn't like it and your older child would miss out. I can't imagine most 2 year olds would sit for 2.5 hours.

PastaAndProse · 22/12/2024 10:18

I doubt the people around you will thank you for it.

allthenoise · 22/12/2024 10:18

I'm taking my 2 year old. You don't know if you don't try. We're prepping the older kid that we might need to leave if the 2 year old doesn't like it, but we've been every year and it has been ok so far.

Original poster
mrsclaus44 · 22/12/2024 10:18

Yes toddler can still be babysat so it's no drama, I just thought it a shame to lose a ticket and I already felt a bit guilty for leaving her out. But you're right, it's probably not age appropriate and I'd hate for my older dc to miss out.

OP posts:
Elmo230885 · 22/12/2024 10:19

DS would have been fine at that age, DS not at all! Depends on your child really.

LezUlez · 22/12/2024 10:19

I think your 2 year old is too young to get anything out of it. It will be nice for your older child to have treat time just with you. Hope your grandma still looks after your little one so DH can rest up and get better ahead of Xmas,

purpleme12 · 22/12/2024 10:20

No I wouldn't

The time I've been where there were clearly children younger than should have been there, you could really tell. And I wished they hadn't brought them

LetsNCagain · 22/12/2024 10:20

The 2yo is not missing out, she'll have a much much better time with grandma

PurpleThistle7 · 22/12/2024 10:20

Your wee one will have a much better day not having to sit still for 3 hours - enjoy!

Highfivemum · 22/12/2024 10:21

Don’t. I did this with my two year old. As soon as the lights went down at the start he started crying and DH spent whole time sitting outside with him.

MidnightPatrol · 22/12/2024 10:22

I’m taking mine later today!

We have been to the theatre before and they were mesmerised and sat still throughout.

Sounds like you have a plan if it doesn’t work.

Suppose only issue leaving older child alone if they keeping running away or are too noisy. Might be a shame for them to miss it due to chaotic younger sibling.

mammaCh · 22/12/2024 10:24

Depends on the child.
2 of mine loved them from aged 2, one did not.

ThatKhakiMoose · 22/12/2024 10:27

Leave your toddler with DH and take Grandma. I'm sure she'd love to go to the panto with her other GC.

nellythe · 22/12/2024 10:28

Pantomimes are usually absolutely packed with young children so if I thought the 2 year old in question could manage it then yes, I probably would.

Eenameenadeeka · 22/12/2024 10:28

Totally depends on the child. 2 of mine would have been fine, the other 2 absolutely no.

Mnetcurious · 22/12/2024 10:29

No, too young. You’ll either end up having to leave or it will be unfair to the other audience members when she’s talking/crying/whinging.

pizzaHeart · 22/12/2024 10:30

FourEyesGood · 22/12/2024 10:15

Definitely not. None of you will enjoy the experience, and nor will the people around you.

this ^
please don’t other people paid for tickets and want to enjoy it.

Wibblywobblybobbly · 22/12/2024 10:34

I wouldn't. I've taken my child to the theatre a lot since he was tiny to the 50 minute productions and he really likes them. So I assumed he'd be fine with a panto at nearly 4 but he was very bored and fed up. He behaved nicely and sat through it, but clearly was not enjoying himself. So no way would I take a 2 year old, even if they're a regular theatre goer.

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