Infants at the movies

[mickeylove2]

Saturday night I went to the movies to see Eclipse (I know, I know, but better late than never right?) anyway, there was a family in front of us- mom, dad, 6 year old dd, 10 year old dd and a 1 year old dd!!!! I wouldn't have been so shocked, but this was the 10:30 pm showing!! We didn't get out of the theatre until almost 1 am. AND the baby stayed awake, crying, sucking, eating and babbling the WHOLE time! I was a little stunned that a. you would bring an infant to this movie, b. that you would have an infant out soooo late, and c. that they NOT 1 TIME took the baby out to quiet her. I'm not a perfect mother by any means, but dang people, what were you thinking???? Oh, and it was freezing in the theatre and the baby was in shorts and a t shirt, no blankie or anything to cover her up with.

 

[allison443]

I wouldn't take my infant or my 6 year old to see Eclipse.

 

[Rupert B Puppenstein]

They used to have rules at theatres that didn't allow children after the 7 p.m. showing...guess they don't have that anymore. I have no problem if well behaved children or sleeping babies attend, but I really don't like crying, whining in late movies by children or anyone else for that matter. But, I honestly would rather see a baby than someone texting on their phones. That irks me to no end. Turn your freaking phone off!

 

[Mouse House Mama]

If the child was quiet then I don't see it as a big deal. If the child was noisy they should have taken him out.

 

[mom2cinderella]

But, I honestly would rather see a baby than someone texting on their phones. That irks me to no end. Turn your freaking phone off!

ITA! Do people not realize how bright and distracting the phones are??


We took our then 5 & 7 year olds to a midnight showing of Revenge of the Sith so I try not to be too judgy about other people's movie decisions. But this

AND the baby stayed awake, crying, sucking, eating and babbling the WHOLE time!

would have irritated me at a non-kids movie.

 

[browneyes106]

I also don't like crying infants at movies. But if the parents try to quiet the baby I'm ok with it but when they allow the baby to cry all the time it irritates me. The last time I was in theater with a crying baby was last year when I saw the movie Orphan.

 

[FloridaMom]

That happened to me at the Sex in the City 2 movie ...
I sit down, then this lady with a baby who couldn't be more than 3 months old sits next to me....

I immediately moved to another row, no way was I going to chance seating next to a infant who might start fussing in the middle of the movie...

I don't care how much you want to see a movie, there is a reason they have ratings, and if your kid is not 13, and it is not a PG movie, then DON'T BRING THEM!!!! Wait 3 months and watch a DVD or get a sitter, or take turns with your significant other to watch it...

 

[NHdisneylover]

I think it is totally unacceptable to remain in the theatre with a loud child of any age. The parents should have taken the baby out and i do not blame you for being irritated.

The other points seem like non issues to me. Some babies will sit quietly (fascinated by that big screen--especially if they do not see a smaller screen at home) or sleep through an entire show. So the presence of a baby in and of itself would not bother me. As far as the time, two very logical reasons would be:
1. They thought the baby would sleep and intentionally went to the late show for that reason.
2. The entire family is on an off schedule. The year DS11 was born DH worked second shift. It was MUCH easier to shift all of us to that same sleep/awake pattern than to try to keep a toddler and infant quiet so he could sleep while we remained on "normal" time. As a bonus DH and the kids had more waking hours together.

 

[hulagirl87]

But, I honestly would rather see a baby than someone texting on their phones. That irks me to no end. Turn your freaking phone off!

I hate this! I went with a friend to see Eclipse. My first night out in 4 months since my daughter was born! The girl next to my friend was texting and someone in front of us kept checking their email. It shines right in your face and is so distracting!

 

[Rupert B Puppenstein]

I hate this! I went with a friend to see Eclipse. My first night out in 4 months since my daughter was born! The girl next to my friend was texting and someone in front of us kept checking their email. It shines right in your face and is so distracting!

Does anyone have any strategies for getting people to stop doing that? Besides dropping your drink on their phone?

 

[tonilea]

I think it is totally unacceptable to remain in the theatre with a loud child of any age. The parents should have taken the baby out and i do not blame you for being irritated.

The other points seem like non issues to me. Some babies will sit quietly (fascinated by that big screen--especially if they do not see a smaller screen at home) or sleep through an entire show. So the presence of a baby in and of itself would not bother me. As far as the time, two very logical reasons would be:
1. They thought the baby would sleep and intentionally went to the late show for that reason.
2. The entire family is on an off schedule. The year DS11 was born DH worked second shift. It was MUCH easier to shift all of us to that same sleep/awake pattern than to try to keep a toddler and infant quiet so he could sleep while we remained on "normal" time. As a bonus DH and the kids had more waking hours together.

It used to always amaze me to see people out late with little ones...before we had DS. DH worked nights and we adjusted our schedule to fit his. DS stayed up late, so he could sleep later and we wouldn't disturb DH. You just have to do what works for your family.

I took DS to several movies when he was a baby. He was always so good. He usually nursed and slept. Of course, we would have taken him out if he was loud.

We took him to the Incredibles when he was six months old. He sat up and watched the entire thing.

 

[luvmy3]

That happened to me at the Sex in the City 2 movie ...
I sit down, then this lady with a baby who couldn't be more than 3 months old sits next to me....

I immediately moved to another row, no way was I going to chance seating next to a infant who might start fussing in the middle of the movie...

I don't care how much you want to see a movie, there is a reason they have ratings, and if your kid is not 13, and it is not a PG movie, then DON'T BRING THEM!!!! Wait 3 months and watch a DVD or get a sitter, or take turns with your significant other to watch it...

Do you really think an infant knows whats going on on the screen?

I have no problem with people bring their babies to movies, even of its a late showing. If the baby can stay quiet, or isn't scared by the volume then there is no reason toi keep them at home. I wish there was an infant sitting behind us when we went to see Eclipse, it was a group of young teens and they talked through the entire movie.

 

[minkydog]

Well, you know, a movie ticket is a lot cheaper than a babysitter. Just sayin'...

 

[Magic Mom]

I think we are all missing the big picture. Clearly this baby is a movie genius and was crying because the movie was so bad. The parents should have that baby tested for a gifted program.

 

[Straycat]

Regardless of the time of day, I'm more disturbed that they brought the 6 year old to see a movie that is not appropriate for the child. The infant doesn't know what is going on but the 6 year old is getting something out of the movie.

 

[luvmy3]

Regardless of the time of day, I'm more disturbed that they brought the 6 year old to see a movie that is not appropriate for the child. The infant doesn't know what is going on but the 6 year old is getting something out of the movie.

I would have brought my 6 year old too, Eclipse compared to other movies he has seen is really no big deal. Of course he'd rather watch Jurassic Park anyway

 

[mjkacmom]

I personally wouldn't take a toddler to the movies (a one year is not an infant in my book), but mostly because theaters are cold, dark, and loud (and I don't want to miss the movie if the child cries - I spent one movie in the lobby with a two year old, and waited until my kids were older, even for kid movies).

 

[ilovesugar]

I would not bring a baby to a movie simply because I would be afraid it would hurt their poor ears. Movies are LOUD!

Well that, and it is completely rude to bring a baby to the movies.

 

[Eeyores Butterfly]

It seems like when it comes to movies, common courtesy has died. I hate this. I have on more than one occasion gone out and talked to an usher when somebody is being very loud, but I hate that I have to miss part of the movie to do it. I wish they would have the ushers come into the theatres on a regular basis so that they can ask the noisy patrons to be quiet. I think it's stupid that the other guests either have to suck it up and deal with it or miss part of the movie to go get help.

 

[Buckeye Princess]

We take our baby (now 17 months) to late movies all the time. Usually we don't get home until 1:30am.

Granted we go to the drive in!!!! Haha. DH and I live far from family and don't have any babysitters. We've discovered that going to the drive in is a great way for a date night. We all go to dinner somewhere. Then our drive in is about 20 min from the area we usually eat. DD always falls asleep on the way to the drive in since it is her bedtime. We have her all ready in her pjs and she sleeps in the back while DH and I get to enjoy a movie. If she ever did wake up we'd just head home.