To think this is selfish

[gigbroken]

Had DS's Christmas nativity play this morning. They're doing 2 shows over 2 days but parents can only go to one as they can't fit everyone in the hall. The hall was packed anyway.

A mum sat the other side of the hall to me had a v young baby with her in a pram who was crying hysterically from the start of the play to the end. I try not to judge other mums but I can't help but think it was incredibly selfish for her to stay. Firstly, because no one could hear what the children were saying over the top of the crying, and secondly because the poor baby was nearly making herself sick from crying. I cannot believe no teachers stepped in and asked her to go in the hall and calm the baby down. AIBU? I do feel bad because her baby may have been ill and she didnt want to miss her child's play and had no childcare but also why would you not just go out into the hallway and feed / try calm down the baby then come back in?

YANBU this is crap parenting

School nativity plays seem to bring out the selfish behaviour in droves. When my son was reception aged some parents brought along loads of family members even though they weren’t supposed to. It meant lots of us ended up standing at the back in a big crowd of people and couldn’t see a thing.

Yes I agree with you. Everyone has gone to watch and listen to their child. Such a shame if the whole thing is drowned out and spoiled because one gormless parent hasn't the common sense to slip out with the distressed baby.

Yeah, that’s selfish. Why couldn’t she pick the baby up at least? Horrendous and actually neglectful behaviour.

My DC’s school puts on a crèche during the nativities so no babies or toddlers are allowed. I’m not ok with handing my toddler over to some random people so we split up which performance we went to.

A teacher should have approached the Mother. It seems odd that it did not happen.

I was a teacher for many years, secondary and primary. I don’t think parents really understand how much work is involved in staging a show or concert. You don’t expect very young siblings to be really quiet but it’s common courtesy to leave the hall to pacify a screaming child. Unfortunately, parents often tend to zone in on their own child and fail to see the bigger picture!

Easier said than done!

Hmm, maybe. I suppose the OP was not the only one put out, and unable to hear anything. So everybody just suffers in silence!

Why didn’t anyone say anything? It happened at my daughter’s certificate evening once , I told them to take the baby out , the Dad took it out.

I don't know what some parents are thinking. I watched a YouTube video of a second cousins wedding, or rather 30 seconds of it. I skipped forward about 5 minutes, then a couple more...yes a baby was crying throughout.

It’s beyond selfish, and I’d let the school know that you’re disappointed they did nothing. It’s unfair on the children who have been practicing for weeks to have their performance spoiled.

Why didn’t you say something?

And people think childfree weddings are selfish!

When my DA was in Infants the Head actually said before the Christmas show started to please take out crying/raucous younger siblings - I can’t remember how he worded it - it was said nicely but very clear that the pupils had worked hard on their play and to please remove young children causing a disturbance. No one had a strop about it and we all watched the play in peace despite there being quite a few toddlers/babies present.

Why should some poor staff member have to tell them? Why couldn’t any of the other parents do so?

I don’t know if it’s me getting older or people genuinely becoming more selfish and entitled. Our Christmas concert was yesterday, my child wasn’t performing but we went to enjoy the others do their show. Loads of mums standing at the back chatting really loudly, whilst their kids ran about like it was some extended play date. Not one of them telling their kids to be quiet. It’s pretty unbelievable and so selfish.