Why do people bring toddlers to PG-13 movies?

[MamaLema]

DH's family does this. The kids have been going to inappropriate movies for years...and have been watching R rated movies since they were babies.

And get this...they were asked me once on advice on why their kids have a hard time sleeping and wake up screaming at night

 

[Zippa D Doodah]

DW and I went to see Saw II a few weeks ago (rated R for extreme violence) and there was a kid -maybe 7yo -in there with what I assume was a parent.

 

[jonestavern]

there used to be 'crying rooms' in some Mom & Pop theatres in the town where I grew up. this was a seperate room seating perhaps 30--remember this was in the pre-multilple screens era--It had 2 doors & a glass wall & soundproofing.

I would not suffer these inconsiderate parents in silence, a manager must be called & the offenders ejected, just like OP noted. Of course, this means someone needs to sacrifice seeing what may be an important part of the movie, which is a real kicker
We couldn't afford babysitters & did not go to a movie theatre for 6 years.
We saw GOF just yesterday & there were indeed small children there & the poor things were crying during various parts of the movie
My most memorable incident was when Jaws came out. I sat in front of a couple that brought in their child, who looked to be about 7 years old. He was just freaking! If I weren't a young teen I would've said something (I did make a few choice comments). The parents kept telling him,"it's just fake stop crying!" I have always felt people like that should be charged with child cruelty
When DS was 3--yes 3--I had to nix playdates with one friend because this family let their kids, ages 3, 6 & 10 watch slasher, R-rated videos. The parents were both college 'educated' & saw absolutely nothing wrong with letting one & all watch the Friday the 13th movies, Freddy etc. what a couple of pips!

Jean

 

[LindsayDunn228]

Unless the movie is geared toward a toddler, I don't think toddlers belong in movie theaters. Flame away if you must.

NO flames from me!!! Toddlers in movies really piss me off.

 

[coliebird]

I have taken my 2 year old daughter to a few movies ( all kids ones) i have ,also taken my daughter to 2 wiggle concert, 1 seseme street live, 1 dora the expoler. she loved them and while she might not have been perfect she is learning and she behaves better than some of the 7 years olds I have seen out in the same places. they have to learn sometime!

You're absolutely right, they do have to learn sometime, but they should learn in appropriate situations. My daughter is 3 1/2, she has been to 2 movies, both kids movies, both early matinees. That is where she learns, not by going to an inappropriate movie at night.

When I went to see GOF, I left her at home with her father. I went with friends. If I couldn't get anyone to watch her, I wouldn't have gone. To me, it is just common sense not to bring my child to a movie that is not appropriate for her.

 

[Crankyshank]

Obnoxious and inappropriate behavior in the movie theater is one of my major pet peeves!
In addition to what's been posted here, my gripe is people bringing young children to late movies. I go to the after 10pm movie for a reason - to avoid ill behaved children. I haven't been to a rated R or PG13 movie in years where there hasn't been at least one young child there that shouldn't be there. I don't get why people bring their child to the late movie and then expect the kid to behave when s/he is obviously over tired and over stimulated. oh and let's give them candy to wind them up some more! Shouldn't they be home in bed?