Children in movie theatres

[Noctilum]

Thinking of taking my kid to the movies for the first time.  He will be 4 in August and has been in love with the Pixar Cars movie for the last year.  I normally dispise children in movie theatres, but I tend to watch more non-children films lol.  So any ways, Cars 2, being a children's film, what say you?  Yay or nay on taking him?  I'll most likely wait for the dollar theatre release to test the waters, but a theatre is a theatre.

[llecs]

I never see a problem with it. I do agree that taking kids to see a non-kid movie is a no-no for the most part. Not necessarily becasue of the content, but I don't want some kid running up and down the aisle or row while I'm watching a movie. Conversely as a parent of a 9, 6, 3, and 1 year old, I don't want to take them to a non-kid movie and have to focus on them instead of the movie. If I want to be distracted while watching a movie, then I can do that at home at a fraction of the price.

We took our kids to the movies starting at a few months old. We are always placing our kids in social settings and situations and expect them to behave and remain quiet. I've found that the more we expose them, the more that are to behave appropriately. I definitely don't expect them to be perfect, but the more we go to the movies (or whereever), the more they behave. Our 3-y.o. has been to the theaters quite a few times and he doesn't act out, talk, run around, etc. He sits, whispers, and has to go on a potty break every 30 minutes it seems, but he's 3.

[Anonymous]

Yeah... what llecs said!

[p-]

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@llecs wrote:

I never see a problem with it. I do agree that taking kids to see a non-kid movie is a no-no for the most part. Not necessarily becasue of the content, but I don't want some kid running up and down the aisle or row while I'm watching a movie. Conversely as a parent of a 9, 6, 3, and 1 year old, I don't want to take them to a non-kid movie and have to focus on them instead of the movie. If I want to be distracted while watching a movie, then I can do that at home at a fraction of the price.

We took our kids to the movies starting at a few months old. We are always placing our kids in social settings and situations and expect them to behave and remain quiet. I've found that the more we expose them, the more that are to behave appropriately. I definitely don't expect them to be perfect, but the more we go to the movies (or whereever), the more they behave. Our 3-y.o. has been to the theaters quite a few times and he doesn't act out, talk, run around, etc. He sits, whispers, and has to go on a potty break every 30 minutes it seems, but he's 3.

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Well said.  

I have a two year old and took him to the movies for the first time over a year ago.  If it's a movie he's into, he sits quietly and watches the whole thing.  If he's bored with it and gets disruptive, I remove him from the situation so he doesn't ruin it for others.  Most kids movie audiences are noisy, so a little noise from yours won't stand out.

I will say, though, try not to go to a 3d showing for your first one.  My little guy hates the glasses.  They make my head hurt, so I imagine they probably do the same to him.  Either way, that was the only time a movie excursion didn't go well.

I have friends with kids his age who never go anywhere.  They avoid restaurants and social situations because the kid doesn't do well.  But in reality, the kid doesn't do well because they avoid these situations.  Be like llecs, and your kid will hang with any situation.

[demi]

Take him!  I remember taking a friends daughter to the movies for the first time, maybe 3ish, to see "Hook."  The amazement in her eyes, just staring at the movie was so memorable.  There is nothing like seeing it in the theater.  I rarely go to the movies because of obnoxious people who ruin it for all, but there is nothing like seeing it on the big screen.  And, it will be full of kid anyway, probably sitting there transfixed.

Even in the age of DVD's, Ipads and Wii, kids are just amazed at the theater.

[Imhotrodcrazy]

Now that school is out, I am going to take my 10 yr old granddaughter to see Cars 2.  She is very good at the movies. 

[awal]

My vote is for, Yay! I took my 3 year old to see a movie a few months ago, and was expecting her to fuss the entire time. Once the lights dimmed there were a few minutes where she was ansy - but once the movie started going she settled down. She even asks to go to the movies now. The look on her face will definately not be forgotten.

Honestly, in a kids movie I think the parents expect the kids to be noisy - just take your kid to a early afternoon showing so you are there with kids of similar age.

[MidnightVoice]

Anyone who hates children and animals can't be all bad.
W. C. Fields

I have the heart of a child. I keep it in a jar on my shelf.

Robert Bloch

[haulingthescoreup]

Terrible man.

Anyway, OP, no one's commented on one of the important things you mentioned --waiting until it hits the dollar theatre. You just never know with little kids, and sometimes not-so-little. When DD#2 was 8, I took her and her then-BFF to see Independence Day. Once they saw the alien, they both went under their seats and wouldn't come out for a good while.

Anyway, it's a lot easier to relax and enjoy when you haven't had to refi your house for the tickets.

[laz98]

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@MidnightVoice wrote:

Anyone who hates children and animals can't be all bad.
W. C. Fields

I have the heart of a child. I keep it in a jar on my shelf.

Robert Bloch

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those are the funniest things i've heard all day!