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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:
wizzywig · 22/12/2024 22:23

Oh no I wouldnt!

winesolveseverything · 22/12/2024 22:25

@PixieLaLar

What's wrong with that?
My 14 year old has been going to the Birmingham panto since he was 4 and he loves it.
In fact, he probably loves it more now as he understands the adult humour that used to go over his head.
It's an annual Christmas tradition in our house and we intend to keep it going as long as possible.

OP, I hope you had a fab time..

Original poster
mrsclaus44 · 22/12/2024 22:28

You did read it right @PixieLaLar - and he enjoyed it. He even gets a few of the more adult jokes now. Pantos are for all ages aren't they?

Quite perplexed by your comment to be honest.

OP posts:
Purpleturtle46 · 22/12/2024 22:31

PixieLaLar · 22/12/2024 22:19

You took 13 year old teenage son to a panto? Did I just read that right!?

Show quote history

What on earth is wrong with that? I take my kids every year and the oldest is now a teenager and it's one of the highlights of Christmas for us. I think I would even go without the kids.

PixieLaLar · 22/12/2024 22:32

mrsclaus44 · 22/12/2024 22:28

You did read it right @PixieLaLar - and he enjoyed it. He even gets a few of the more adult jokes now. Pantos are for all ages aren't they?

Quite perplexed by your comment to be honest.

Good for him and you I am just genuinely surprised!

Nc546888 · 22/12/2024 22:36

I couldn’t have done with DC1 but I have taken DC2 (17 months) to two long pantomimes this year with no issue.

you have to decide what kind of toddler you have!!

Original poster
mrsclaus44 · 22/12/2024 22:38

@PixieLaLar I am surprised that you are surprised, there were people of all ages there. Kids, teens, adults with no kids, families of all ages including grandparents. There was actually a birthday shoutout for someone turning 100!

So yeah, I think it's a pretty timeless and ageless tradition for a lot of families. My eldest has been going every year since he was about 5 (hence having no experience of taking a toddler).

I did see a couple of parents with toddlers and it reaffirmed that I'd done the right thing leaving dd at home once I saw them chasing their kids up the aisles and walking out into the foyer every five minutes!

OP posts:
PixieLaLar · 22/12/2024 22:44

mrsclaus44 · 22/12/2024 22:38

@PixieLaLar I am surprised that you are surprised, there were people of all ages there. Kids, teens, adults with no kids, families of all ages including grandparents. There was actually a birthday shoutout for someone turning 100!

So yeah, I think it's a pretty timeless and ageless tradition for a lot of families. My eldest has been going every year since he was about 5 (hence having no experience of taking a toddler).

I did see a couple of parents with toddlers and it reaffirmed that I'd done the right thing leaving dd at home once I saw them chasing their kids up the aisles and walking out into the foyer every five minutes!

I’m not saying there is anything wrong with it, there’s no need to get defensive. I actually think it sounds lovely.

Unfortunately my experience with my teens is they would never be seen dead at a panto. I guess I thought that was the norm…😂

TwoLeggedGrooveMachine · 22/12/2024 22:49

Absolutely not. Far too young.

DoYouAlwaysHaveToSayThat · 22/12/2024 22:50

No, 2 is too young

Shwish · 22/12/2024 23:02

I took twins when they were 3 and they were well behaved and LOVED it. One of them was a bit scared at one point - I think it might have been the ugly sisters but can't quite remember.

boredaf · 22/12/2024 23:08

PixieLaLar · 22/12/2024 22:19

You took 13 year old teenage son to a panto? Did I just read that right!?

Show quote history

Why is that weird? My grandparents took me from about age 5 and invited me every year until I turned 18. I generally accepted the offer and was 16 or 17 the last time I went with them. I really enjoyed it and whilst I joined in less with the shouting and stuff as a teenager I still enjoyed the show. I don’t see the weirdness in it at all 😂

Thevelvelletes · 22/12/2024 23:12

We were at one that had 3d effects cue a few scared primary age kids that had to be taken out of auditorium.

natwalesrug · 22/12/2024 23:18

We took our Granddaughter who was literally just 2 in the December…she absolutely loved it. Obviously didn’t understand it but was captivated by the stimulation of costumes,dancing and music. It was a real hit.
since then we have been to Frozen and the Lion King…she is mesmerised .
We went to Aladdin last week and she sat following the whole show.

Baggyprincess · 22/12/2024 23:19

I took both of mine for their first Panto at 2. DD1 was 2 and 2 months, DD2 was 2 and 9 months, both loved the glitz, glam and princesses!

bluebee17 · 22/12/2024 23:20

Absolutely not

Blondeshavemorefun · 22/12/2024 23:20

I've done many times as a nanny over the the years

And as a mummy to mini blondes

All loved the panto and mesmerised

NewName24 · 22/12/2024 23:23

Glad you decided not to.
Shame you didn't offer the ticket to one of your friends, if ds didn't want to bring one of his friends and Grandma didn't want to go.

To3ornot · 22/12/2024 23:24

Mine have been going to the panto since 5 months! They are 6 and 3 now and absolutely love it, I would definitely take a 2 year old but mine have always gone to multiple theatre shows a year so they’re used to it/ know how to behave etc

AllYearsAround · 22/12/2024 23:28

None of mine would sit for 2-3 hours at that age without a lot of parental support/entertaining. I'd rather go with the older ones and enjoy it!

VivaVivaa · 23/12/2024 07:28

I wouldn’t even take my 4 year old! I just wouldn’t be confident he could stay sat still for that long. I’d worry about him being disruptive beyond what would be tolerated at a kids panto. But you have a way more calm and still child than I do. My friends little girl probably would have been fine at a panto from about 3.

TooManyCupsAndMugs · 23/12/2024 07:32

No, please don't! I went to see a Xmas movie with my children at the weekend which was spoilt by a older baby crying constantly throughout.

Raineradrion · 23/12/2024 07:34

It's better not to, kids are too unpredictable.

Octoberdreaming · 23/12/2024 07:34

No. Don’t be that person.
We sat through a pantomime two days ago where the people behind us had bought their screaming, fidgeting toddler which we had to listen to disrupting the show for the whole 90 minutes. It was very annoying and ruined the experience for everyone around us. People like that are just selfish. The toddler clearly found it all far too overstimulating.

Oppenjam · 23/12/2024 18:16

Surprised so many people saying no to this! We took our dd last year when she was just 2 and it was fine. It was loud with lots of singing and audience participation so I wasn’t too worried about her disturbing others. We were near the exit too so could have left if need be. She was really good though and actually seemed to enjoy it.