taking my baby to the theatre

[amylou1]

Yesterday I took my 1 month old to a matinee at the Bristol Old Vic. It was a family show and my Mum and I really wanted to see the show (by Kneehigh) and my husband was busy so we took the little one along. I checked with the theatre who said it was fine. She was good as gold and slept in the baby carrier though the whole thing. Noone would have noticed her!

However, I didn't enjoy it at all as just before we went in I passed two women in the foyer and one said to the other, loudly and clearly, looking straight at me, 'she's not seriously thinking of taking that baby in the theatre'. I was so shocked that I couldn't think what to say, walked away and spent the entire performance wondering whether I was a selfish, bad mother!

I knew she'd sleep and the plan was that if she cried we'd quietly leave straight away. I wouldn't want to spoil anyone else's enjoyment.

Why do people think they have a right to speak to new mothers this way? I am super sensitive right now and trying to do everything right for my baby. Just can't get over the rudeness. Wish I'd said something to the woman at the time but I was too shocked and didn' feel like a confrontation.

It was a family show and you did ask the theatre - so it was perfectly ok to bring the baby.
There's a lot of rude people in the world, you just have to learn to ignore them.

I don't think you're selfish. It sounds like you took very reasonable and thoughtful precautions in advance.

Visiting the theatre or cinema is one of the only outings I never do with my daughter (now 21 months). We've been to museums, galleries, restaurants, parties, on regular long train journeys, my office, country hikes etc..

The main reason is simply that I expect too many negative reactions from theatregoers which would ruin my enjoyment and potentially upset DD. Some people just don't like children, even quiet no-fuss children, and they aren't afraid to make that clear.