Crying babies and movie theaters?

Question

Is it just TX (where I am) or everywhere? Lately, it seems like more and more people are bringing their infants to late evening R- rated movies (like action flicks). I am not insensitive to the plight of young parents wanting to see a good movie. But by the same token, I pay good money for these tickets and why should I have a bad experience because 4 women with crying infants (I kid you not, that's how many there were last night) decide that their right to see a movie with their screaming child outweighs mine to see a movie in peace. What happened to hiring a babysitter or renting a dvd? It's not my fault you have a screaming infant that you are not quieting down or taking out of the room. LOL.

What do you think? Should movie theaters reimburse people if their movie is interupted (frequently) in this manner? Should parents with infants not be permitted in clearly non-family movies? Or am I just a meanie for wanting to watch a movie in peace? :)

I'm truly not asking for a ban on all infants. I just think there needs to be some sort of guideline/rule or a sign that just tells people if you or your child are disturbing others~ you'll be asked to leave. Last night, the only staff avail were young teens who were too afraid to approach the moms of the 4 screaming babies/toddlers. :)

Answer 1

As a father who has had to deal with his own screaming infant, I agree with you. It is a parent's responsibility to be an ambassador for the family to the rest of the world. We must protect our children from others, but we must also protect other people from our children.

My rights to enjoy a movie do not entail preventing other people from enjoying that same movie.

Answer 2

I think it is the parents that should be responsible for the children. This goes for the screaming, running around variety of children as well. If it is an infant, take it out of the room, or hire a babysitter. If it is older, teach it to behave. If you teach your children properly, they will sit through a movie quietly (not that they should be in the R-rated ones anyway). My siblings and I were all well behaved at movies and restaurants. We knew if we didn't behave, we would be leaving and going home right then.

Have you ever seen a church with a "cry room." This is the sound proofed room where parents can bring thier children, but still enjoy the service. They could easily install these in movie theaters.

Answer 3

Personally I think that they should be allowed to view the movie just as anyone else they pay their hard earned money to see the movie just as well, but at the sametime I believe that a mother should step out of the movie when the baby begins to cry to not disturb others from enjoying the show.

I dont think movie theaters should reimburse people when their movie is interupted they have teens and adults that ruin movies by talking, joking and cell phones no one mentions that. Everyone should be able to see what ever movie they wish to pay their money to see. My advice is ask for another show time if this happens, suck it up or leave and buy it on dvd it will be out in 3 months anyway. Good luck.

Answer 4

I am not sure about the reimbursement on tickets in movies where your interrupted by small children, but you definitely have the right to complain and ask for reimbursement. It's rude to force your crying or yelling kids on others during a movie. I have a 2yr old, and would not take her to the movies with us, because I know she will talk loudly or want to run around. There are some theaters were I live that have a "Cry Baby" night were parents with small children can go watch a movie with other parents with small kids. People just don't have any consideration for others.

Answer 5

That issue is epidemic. I have read that in larger areas theaters are running movies during the day purposely for stay at home moms. All these moms can go and take their kids so they all know to expect interrupptions and crying, etc. They did this to combat the number of crying babies in theaters. Not all areas have this benefit though.

I do believe it is inappropriate to take a child (particularly a baby) to an adult movie. It is in poor taste. If someone doesn't have the means to get a sitter then they will just have to miss the movie. I think that the R rating should stand that NO ONE under 18 is admitted (even if a parent is with them). A baby doesn't need to experience X Men 3. For the first 2 years of my son's life, I didn't see a movie. It was my choice not to get a sitter but I also didn't think it was right to take him in case he cried. It's not fair to those who paid and DON'T have kids.
I think it would be great if theaters reimbursed people whose movie experience is frequently interrrupted but, I don't think that is going to happen.

Good luck! Enjoy your next movie.....hope it is tear free! :)

Answer 6

It's the parent's responsibility (if they feel the absolute need to drag some kid along) to leave the theatre until the baby has quieted down. It's not the theatre's fault, however, so I don't think they would have to reimburse you. If a parent does not leave and you kindly ask them to because you're trying to enjoy the movie you paid for, perfectly expecting no idiot to drag in a little baby that's probably getting upset at all the noise on screen. If they don't do anything, contact the manager. The theatre has no problem tossing out someone that's being a distraction considering they're the minority and their patronage can be lost. The majority, however, is important.

Answer 7

I agree with you. When a baby/infant begins to cry and carry on, the parent should be respectful enough of others to remove themselves from the area. Same applies for a restaurant. When I pay good money for a meal, I don't want to hear screaming and see infants/toddlers throwing things and acting up. I think theaters should post a sign that if you enter with a child/infant..you may be asked to leave if the child disturbs others and you don't voluntarily remove the child.

Answer 8

I agree with you cause they should know that an infant isn't going to be able to sit through a whole movie. My aunt never brings my little cousin because we know she won't be able to sit through the whole thing so whoever doesn't want to see the movie that we are seeing will stay with her. Because infants do talk a lot and you want to be able to hear the movie cause you paid good money to hear it and it shouldn't be interupted by infants. Maybe movie theaters should have a day care if parents can't get a babysitter for that day or time.

Answer 9

Ok, as a mother who sometimes can't always afford a sitter for me and my hubby to go to a movie, you have to get out of the house, and I would never just sit there and let my daughter cry through a movie, but I have whats called manners. But there have been time where I have taken my daughter and she hasn't said a thing, she just fell asleep...and there was these kids who were louder than she would have ever been..and they were not much younger than me. I think that theaters should make family theater rooms, that only people with kids can go into that way you won't be pissed that there are kids crying, but maybe you should be a little sympathetic to parents too, they need a break also...I don't think your mean but come on, we all have to do somethings we don't like...

Answer 10

Ignorant neglectful selfish parents live in every state. Did you see Madea's Family Reunion!? Hate to spoil it if you didn't but at the end of the movie, the actor/director/writer (Tyler Perry) who plays Madea turned to the camera and ADDRESSED the Mammas with crying babies. It was hilarious. Wouldn't you know it, there were at least 2 crying babies in the theater at that very moment. They should sell $10 babysitting tickets. Knowing the theater prices, people would buy it if it was $40 which is most likely the price they'd charge. Good Question.

Answer 11

I have had the same problem, (not R-rated movies, because I don't watch them) and I used to work at a movie theater too. I think it is very inappropriate of parents to bring young children to R-rated movies, and to have them disturb everyone else in the theater. That's what Blockbuster is for people! And hello! Call a freaking babysitter!