For my 6 and 11 year old to watch a film at the cinema without me

[Littlebittiredoflife]

They want to watch dogman and I don't think I can face it. If it was just the 11 year old, I'm thinking this would absolutely be ok. But with the six year old I'm unsure as he might get a bit scared and there's the worry that popcorn is quite a chokeable snack. Both of them just likely to sit and watch the film though. And I'd be next door watching something that doesn't want to make me gouge my eyes out.

No I wouldn't but I would go out in the garden or out the front to the car, so I'd be a similar distance away. It's a small cinema with maximum 3 screens. Not a city centre/out of town multiplex.

If I can sit through Captain Underpants, you can make it through Dog Man. The best bit is seeing your kids giggle themselves silly over the daftest jokes tbh

In my fleeting thought about whether this was a possibility I thought perhaps I could tell them where I am- and also tell the staff too- not so they could babysit but if my child came to look for me. As I am saying that I realise it wouldn't really be a good idea to tell them they are unsupervised.

Download an audio book, take ear pods, sit next to them, close eyes and listen to that. Go to a cinema that serves wine.

Cinemas need a "creche" screening. You pay more, but the children are supervised.

It got a good review from Mark Kermode!

Er yes YABU. Choking didn't even cross my mind, but the enjoyment of the other cinema goers did.

I actually laughed out loud in DogMan, it was definitely not as bad as I'd imagined. Kids want to see the Skibidi Toilet movie when it comes out which will be a resounding NO.

I felt this way when DD wanted to watch the bloody barbie movie.

I booked seats right at the back in the corner so I could take a nap if it was garbage (which it was)

Just do that, watch something else on your phone using earphones or take a nap like I did. Or just tell them they can't go and wait till it's out to stream. Or make their dad take them 🤣

No - six is too young. They might need the loo, get scared, get restless etc and it's not fair for your 11 year old to have to act as a carer for their sibling in this situation.

I've sent mine alone (individually) at secondary school age (11+) or together age 12 + 10 but wouldn't send them much younger than this. The youngest needs to be old enough to take themselves to the loo and find their way back safely etc. if needed IMO and a six year old if far too young to be wandering around alone.

Sadly a part of being a parent is having to sit through shite films. Mine are adults now and I wish they had recliners when they were young .... I'd have slept through a lot of them.

Dont leave them alone six is way too young and the eleven year old shouldnt have to be responsible.

Ive dosed off during films that ive had no interest in watching with the kids, you just have to suck it up sometimes.

Bloody hell, just put earphones in and listen to an audiobook or a podcast while the film is on.

When you see a post on Mumsnet and can’t queue believe what you’re reading. This is one of those!
who would think this was ok?
Being a parent requires you to be selfless and put your children first. This is one of those occasions. No! No, you can’t send your 11 and 6year olds into the cinema unaccompanied because you don’t want to be inconvenienced.
Yes, you do have to parent and suck it up for the 2 hours the film is on
Because to do otherwise, it’s risky.
Because it might be unsafe.
Because they might be scared.
Because they might want their mum.
Because it’s the right thing to do.

Years ago, took my two and cousins to watch Sponge Bob. I had a lovely nap, never occurred not to go in with them

No chance. A bloke tried to come onto me in the cinema. I was about 11 with my younger sister. Fortunately, I was onto him.

Darn it, I really thought I'd found a solution there. I've definitely heard parents sending their 11 years olds in with friends before. I agree adding the six year old to the mix changes the risk level.

I do really disagree with pp that this is a part of parenting and I need to suck it up. I don't think my children would be harmed if I only ever took them to see kids films that I had some interest in seeing as well. In fact I don't think there'd be any detriment to them not going to the cinema at all until they were old enough to go by themselves.

I also think there's a bit of pearl clutching here. It was a fleeting thought of mine where I briefly thought would that be an option and then thought it was worth asking a wider audience to see what others thought. Some people are acting like I've already done it. Unfortunately there's no recliners there.

So essentially asking the staff to babysit....
On top of leaving your 11yr old in charge, what if one of them needs the loo....

YABU.

I remember being 9 and my sister 6 & we were dropped off at the cinema to see the little mermaid. It was the 80s though. So I'm probably in the minority that says I think it's OK, I'd sit in the foyer or cafe if they have one.

No I wouldn't send them in alone, especially if you wanted to go and watch another film where it would be hard to get you. It also puts a lot of responsibility on the 11 year old.

I saw the film yesterday and it wasn't too bad. It's definitely not the worse kids film I have sat through and there were some funny moments.

Sit at the back with them, with your phone and headphones. Or even better, take your tablet. Watch a movie of your own. You can't leave the 6 year old.

I always fall asleep in the cinema, go have a nap

I think if it was two 11 year olds then it would be different and there were definitely children if this age in the cinema yesterday without an adult. But they would be year 6/7 and I would hope more independent.

My sister watched it with her kids, and her exact words were not as good as Wicked but quite fun!

Just see it as a comfy chair in a warm dark room with snacks. Doze off if you can.

Out of interest what age would they need to be for pp to leave them home alone together? I haven't actually left the 11 year old alone at home yet or but they've walked to school by themselves. I do feel being in public is safer in some aspects and it is a really small cinema. It sounds from pp it might be doable in a years time if I sat in the cafe- I can see the all the doors of the cinema from some of the cafe seats. But the popcorn risk would remain an issue.