Why is it that parents have no common sense when deciding to take their kids out for the afternoon?

Question

My girlfriend and I wnet to see the movie "Cars" this weekend.
We decided we should see it this weekend since it had been out for a couple of weeks and has received some good reviews.

While this is an animated movie, we did expect that some people would bring their children to the theater.
As we started watching the previews, it was obvious that the parents were not going to be able to keep these kids quiet.
Parents didnt just bring in children, they brought in toddlers.
Im talking abouot children under the age of 5 who have no understanding of what they are going to see. Children that have no ability to sit still for an extended amount of time, and will begin to cry or yell at their parents when they are bored or arent able to get up and do something that they want.

Is it reasonable to expect that there may be a time in which children under the age of 5 would be banned from the public movie theater, until they can sit still and focus on the movie?

Answer 1

I know exactly what you mean. Some people just don't have the concept that some children are too young to go to the movies. It especially irks me when parents bring they're very young children to completely non-children themed films.

Last week we went to go see "The Break-up" and this woman brought her 5 year old who of course wouldn't keep quiet the entire film.

Answer 2

It is true that children under 5 usually can't sit through an entire movie. But I wouldn't go as far as to say 'ban' them from the movies. But I mean, you went to see a children's movie. If you don't have kids, you wouldn't know what to expect when going to see the movie. But nowadays, parents bring in all those little kids - me and my husband actually made that mystake recently. We have a 5 yr old, 2 yr old, and 6 months old. We took our two year old, and we realized soon into the movie that it was a mystake. We had to take turns taking him out, b/c our 5 yr old wanted to see the movie. It was a horrible experience, and I felt so embarrased that he was acting like that in the theatre.
So, I've been on both sides of the fence in this situation, and I don't think we should ban them, but I think they should have a special threatre where they have it set up for smaller children, that way grown adults won't have to put up with smaller children and their whining, and at the same time, parents can take them to the movies w/o worrying about bothering other viewers.

Answer 3

I understand but i am a mother with a two year old and i take her to the movies at least once a month. She is quiet and likes most movies. But i know during the previews if she's going to make it or not. If not, i leave and go get a refund on my tickets and try again another day. My daughter likes action movies and adventure she loves Harry Potter as do I so I know she will sit through those kinds of movies. But it all depends on the parents some are just too selfish and want to stay and watch the movie and ruin it for everyone else that came.

Answer 4

That p*sses me off, too. I don't think children under the age of kindergarden (5 or 6) should be allowed in theaters. Generally they ruin the movie for me. At least the kids you saw were watching Cars. My husband and I went to the movies a few weekends ago to see...er, can't remember the name of it. It was one my husand wanted to see (rolling eyes) with the comic book characters that all have the superpowers. It's a sequel. Anyway, there was a group of adult women there with no less than 10 kids, ranging from newborn to probably 5 or 6. Firstly, those kids don't have any business watching a movie like this, and secondly, if you can't find a sitter for two flippin hours, wait until it comes out on DVD!

Answer 5

I personally would never take my toddler to see a movie, because I don't feel that two hours of watching something on a screen is good for him. We don't even let him watch tv unless it is Sesame Street, and even then, he isn't allowed to watch the whole hour. Plus, they play the movies so loud that I am worried he will suffer permanent hearing damage. But, that is just me being a freakishly overconcerned parent.

That being said, what kind of a tool would go to an afternoon childrens' movie and expect complete silence? DId you complain to management? I am guessing not, because you know they would have looked at you like you were a moron. Kids are expected to attend kids movies playing on the weekends in the afternoon. If you don't like it, attend a later showing.

Also, kids under 5 years of age are completely able to comprehend things like kids movies. This is such a ridiculous statement, I won't even be bothered to refute it.

Answer 6

You went to see a CHILDREN'S movie! Parents will bring the whole family to a kid movie regardless of age, because there is kind of an understanding among adults during an afternoon show. If you wanted to avoid kids, you should have gone to an evening showing or wait for DVD. If you had been complaining about going to a non child friendly movie, I would absolutely see your point and agree with you, but you are wrong, it is not reasonable to expect children under the age of 5 to not attend G rated films with their family. Wow, you need to lighten up and go to later movie show times.

Answer 7

The thing is, these parents were trying to be considerate by taking their children to an afternoon showing. If you go to a kids' movie in the afternoon, it's unfair to expect quiet in the theater. Children under 5 are perfectly capable of sitting and watching a movie, especially an animated one. The solution is either don't go to kid movies, or go to showings later in the day. Kids are noisy, but they are not going away.

Answer 8

You are one of those grown ups that forgot you were a child once too! it is a KIDS MOVIE, deal with it! If it was the Godfather that is one thing. You see a movie in the afternoon that is geared TOWARDS kids then you best expect kids making noise. Why is that a problem during previews anyway!!! I get so sick of these people that are so easy to put down parents for letting their kids be kids, they are kids, they should act like kids! My son is two and loves the movies, he is not too loud and of course I would encourage him to sit still and watch the movie, but it is a KIDS MOVIE. I suggest you go at night when these kids you are critiquing are in bed!!!!

Answer 9

well first off its a kids movie and thats what you should expect if you go see a kids movie. So for the common sense it clear you dont have any because if you did you would have known what to expect so therefore you should have when at a time when children under a certain age arent allowed in the movies.

Answer 10

you are a jerk to even say this. You are going to a movie that was made for young kids (yes I mean toddlers and grade school kids) and you are going in the afternoon. So let me put this in a clear box for you. Kids movie in the middle of the day and you are upset that there were kids there and the were being kids? If you do not want to deal with kids then do not go to a kids movie in the middle of the day. Banning kids from movies in the middle of the day. you have to be crazy

Answer 11

I understand your frustration, and I agree that parents should have more consideration, but I do not agree with your solution. I have a 4 & 5 year old. I took them to see cars two weeks ago, and honestly, they were VERY well behaved. In fact they made less noise than the adults cracking up behind us. Parents should know their own children well enough to know what is appropriate, but some just don't care, or can't see it. I don't think parents like myself, and my children should be punished for this.