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.

I took my ds earlier in the week, had a nice little nap! Went to one where they serve food at your seats (comfy sofas...) and it really wasn't so bad. Had a little giggle to myself when I looked round and could see at least 6 adults asleep! Although, the bits of the film I did see really weren't that bad, definitely not the worst I've seen!

I absolutely hate that when you go see a kids film half the adults are scrolling instagram or whatever, it is so distracting and rude. Yeah, you don’t want to be there, it’s like no one gets past 14 and can put their own likes aside for a couple of hours. Theatre and gigs are going the same way which is bonkers when you think how much the tickets cost.

Honestly as kids movies go it's not that bad. Quite a few hidden adult jokes and it's short.

I've definitely heard parents sending their 11 years olds in with friends before

Yep, I've seen this in action. Unfortunately it was the last time I took DCs to the cinema: a small group of tweens sat directly behind us. Their behaviour started as low level disruption and gradually escalated, with chatting throughout, kicking the backs of chairs, throwing popcorn, the odd heckle and at one point they started running up and down the stairs. We asked them to behave a few times, first very nicely and lastly very fiercely, but they just laughed and carried on, so DH missed some of the film going out of the screen to find staff members to deal with it. I'm sure their parents were having a lovely child-free afternoon after dumping all their parenting responsibilities onto random members of the public and the cinema staff. It isn't a cheap trip out, and it ruined our enjoyment of the film. Utterly selfish behaviour.
And you may think your DCs aren't like that but unless you've been able to test this, how do you know?

How about an audiobook and earpods, @Littlebittiredoflife?

I wouldn’t leave a 6 year old unattended in the cinema, that’s alot of responsibility on the 11 year old if anything were to go wrong. Unlikely but not impossible. More likely they would disrupt other people.

Your attitude of well I have no interest in it so I’m not taking them is a-bit strange to be honest. Surely as a parent you do things for your children that you don’t want to do. It’s only a few hours.

My DD is 10. I took her to see Wicked at Christmas. Immediately after we took our seats, I realised that I’d parked in the car park that would close before the end of the film and I needed to move the car. I left her sitting watching the trailers for five minutes and when I came back she was in floods of tears. She was frightened at being left on her own in the dark, I felt so guilty.
Dog man is only 90 minutes long.

I endured 90 minutes of some lego movie it was awful, but I couldn't believe that there were several adults voluntarily going without children! 😂
We had a nice pizza afterwards though.

The film isn't that bad, I took my 8yo and his friend to see it last week.

We've read all the Dav Pilkey books over various bedtimes so I know the DogMan story well. It's a bit of fun and comedic nonsense, not my usual preference but I was willing to sit through it with a hot chocolate for just over an hour.

It was better than I expected (tbf I had low expectations), so it was okay to see.

Are you serious?
Firstly, part of being a parent is sucking it up. We all watch films or do things that may not be our first choice but you do it for the sake of your children.
Secondly, I share your concerns with popcorn so I don’t let my 5 year old have it. If she does have a handful then I watch her like a hawk.
I can’t imagine using an out of sight of mind approach. What if he does choke? Are you hoping your 11 year old will help?

Have they not got an eager late teen cousin or a naive childless auntie who can be tricked (paid) to take them instead?

We used to go to Saturday morning pictures in the late 60s. All children. Nobody was accompanied.

@Littlebittiredoflife can't you just pay a babysitter to take them if you really don't want to see it?

I've had some very expensive naps in cinemas over the younger years of having my ds 😂

Back row end seat - the nice comfy ones.

Ds enjoys the film. I enjoy the extra sleep

Has your 11 yo grown out of the bills by now though? I think the best thing about taking my 9 yo who's still very much in the Dav Pilkey fan club is his pure joy at seeing something he loves come alive on screen

Yes, I went in the early 80s. Junior Saturday Club or something.

I liked Dog Man!

My thought is you would feel terrible if anything bad happened to them. I am sure your children would prefer you to be there with them.

We only went to watch it as there was nothing else on and we have free sky tickets! He's read it a bit in the school library but it's not his first choice