Baby in a movie theatre?

mandysmear

Last night Mike and I went to the movies.  (It's Complicated)  I really liked it, BTW.  Plus Jim Halpert is in it.  And his character rocks.

A woman came in with her baby.  I looked at Mike and said, "that baby better be fucking quiet."  I hate crying babies/children in public and there are very few mothers out there who actually try to stop them from being quiet.  The grocery store sucks, but a movie theatre, um hello?  We're trying to watch/listen.

The baby fussed a few times so she left and came back, left and came back.  Then she hung out by the door... um lady, this is a theatre... SOUND TRAVELS.

I was annoyed. 

AlexiaANDRobert

I expect it in anything rated G or PG, but for adult movies it's not okay.

If you're bringing your baby to the movies, make sure it's the midnight showing so he/she sleeps through it.

Even my friends WITH babies think it's rude to bring a baby to the movie theatre.

sarah0725

This makes me so angry. Babies and small children should not be in R-rated films, or out anywhere after 9pm. I hate it when I'm out late somewhere and there is a fussy baby, because I don't intend to put my future kids through that.

One of the main movie theaters FI and I go to out here in Milwaukee now has a policy that children under six will not be admitted to R-rated films after 6pm. It's very sad that such a rule has to be in place, but welcome nonetheless as people are dipshits.

aMrsin09

I would have spoken to a Manager and asked for your money back.

georgia_bride09

This is one of my pet peeves. There was a baby in the last movie we went to (I don't remember the movie, but I know it was a late showing), and it fussed a while before the mom left. Had I been closer, I probably would have said something. I've had to tell teens to pipe the eff down before; in fact there were some teens in that movie as well, with a "mom" who was clearly living vicariously and had no control over the six or so kids she had with her.

vallyhoo

That sucks. If you are going to spend the money to go out, go ahead and spend the money to hire a babysitter. How inconsiderate.

I'm glad to hear that It's Complicated was good. I love John Krasinski.

SwedishChick2011

I can understand a parent wanting to bring their baby to the movie theater for convenience, but that doesn't mean they should.  I think if the baby is one that really doesn't fuss or cry, it's okay.  My nieces are like that.  Otherwise, no.  Hire a babysitter.

bbyckes

I get annoyed too.  I will never understand it.  I know you need a break and all that, but you don't have the right to ruin  it for everyone else.  Also,  doesn't seem very relaxing or entertaining when you have to get up to look after a fussing baby.   Wait 'til it comes on Pay-per-View or get someone to look after it.  I can't stand when people bring their toddlers or small children to R-rated movie either.

Loved It's Complicated.  Meryl is amazing and I love Alec! 

BecW2be

Ditto aMrs. I hate people. Wait for the DVD if you can't find a sitter. I don't pay $10 to sit and listen to your offspring cry because they are not where they should be.

[Deleted User]

I don't understand this either.  If/when I have children it will never cross my mind to take them to a movie until they can sit through it and behave accordingly.  I understand that mom's like to get out and enjoy the day even with a baby but come on.. you have to predict that a child will get startled or cry sometime during it!  The thing is, I bet if you put those moms in the theater (sans child) and another baby was crying, they would get upset. 

ac_in_dc

Not OK. Just rent a fvcking DVD.

RachNRich

When Rich and I went to go see The Hangover, a young couple came in and sat directly behind us with their newborn. The dad was constantly in and out with the baby all night---(it was a late movie) because the baby was fussy/crying.

Why? Why do parents think this is okay? 1. your child should be sleeping. 2. you have to know this is bothersome to other movie-goers. 3. if you can afford a movie, you can spring for a babysitter---but in the off-chance that you cannot afford a babysitter, you probably should save your money that you spent on the movie, stay home, and rent one.

AlexiaANDRobert

I get similarly annoyed when parents don't use the "Cry Room" at Church.

The giant, sound proof room, with floor to ceiling glass so you can still see, is there for YOU - use it, please.

Stackeye210

I judge any parent that has their small child out after 8:30 or 9 for personal or recreational reasons.  It's just selfish.  Kids thrive on schedules, and your movie watching at 10pm is not in the schedule. 

ac_in_dc

Oh, and in church and similar places where it's "ok" in my book to take a baby. I'm a bit more tolerant of crying, but if a kid starts, you should walk out with him.

But toddlers and just generally ill-behaved kids that are old enough to know better but still make noise? Drives me nuts.

Stackeye210

Lil Stack goes to church and sits there quietly coloring or playing with her quiet church friendly toys.  But the second she starts getting too fidgety we go to the cry room, I just don't understand why some parents feel such an entitlement that their kids are welcome everywhere they want them to be. 

betrothed123

This would make me so angry.  I rarely go to movies anymore because I went to see the remake of Psycho with my dad when I was younger and a bunch of high schoolers had brought in a laser pointer and were using it to highlight all of the characters' geneitals.  We complained to the manager multiple times throughout the movie, and then again afterwards and were told we can't expect them to make sure children behave.

pumpkinpumpkin

Not acceptable. Yes, parents deserve evenings out as well, but leave the kids with a sitter...if you can't find a sitter, don't go...that's a consequence of having a baby, IMO.

mandysmear

This was a 6pm movie.  Haha, we're geezers.  I wanted to be home early as I was tired.  But, yeah, still not okay.

When we went to the hangover we had a couple in front of us with a 6 or 7 year old.  She was in her jammies and fell asleep.  The dad held her the whole time.  Seriously, people!

sucrets4

I agree that if a baby is fussing/crying then it's hella annoying.

However, I judge people who have their toddlers out and about late at night more harsly than an infant.  An infant can sleep anywhere, but that 4 year old that's out at Applebee's at 11pm?  Not cool.

mandysmear

I wonder how many people who think the way all of us here do will be eating their words when they have children.  Surely all the rude mothers out there used to have some decency, no?

opalsky007

In Response to Re: Baby in a movie theatre?:

I hate that people take their small children to R-rated movies, period. When I was a 16-year-old camp counselor, all of the kids I was caring for had seen more R-rated movies than me...and were old enough to understand what was going on. It was cheaper for their parents to buy the ticket than pay a sitter.

One day one of the counselors jokingly started the line, "One time, at band camp..." (from American Pie) when telling a story, and a five year old blurted out the rest of the line!

ac_in_dc

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_baby-movie-theatre?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:29500e25-8c17-45c4-9f7d-19dd12b29b50Post:b7ca9c3b-c5cf-4105-8207-6ff016f9c28f">Re: Baby in a movie theatre?</a>:
[QUOTE]I wonder how many people who think the way all of us here do will be eating their words when they have children.  Surely all the rude mothers out there used to have some decency, no?
Posted by mandysmear[/QUOTE]

What about all of the random people that come on here who want their guests to follow dress codes, creating tiered receptions, forcing their guests to deal with unreasonable gaps or other inconveniences? These are the inconsiderate moms of the future.

At least, that's what I'm hoping. I don't want to turn into an ass hole when I have kids.

AlexiaANDRobert

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_baby-movie-theatre?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:9Discussion:29500e25-8c17-45c4-9f7d-19dd12b29b50Post:d40a4025-7ac4-4dda-bd3e-877d12b091b7">Re: Baby in a movie theatre?</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Baby in a movie theatre? : I hate that people take their small children to R-rated movies, period. When I was a 16-year-old camp counselor, all of the kids I was caring for had seen more R-rated movies than me...and were old enough to understand what was going on. It was cheaper for their parents to buy the ticket than pay a sitter. <strong>One day one of the counselors jokingly started the line, "One time, at band camp..." (from American Pie) when telling a story, and a five year old blurted out the rest of the line!</strong>
Posted by opalsky007[/QUOTE]

Oh, ffs, that's just WRONG!

momofayden

When I went to see the remake of the Exorcist at a mignight showing and a 'mother' had her 4 yr old there wide awake watching the whole movie.  The manager said as long as his parent is there, he can watch any movie.  That made zero sense to me. 

[Deleted User]

NOT COOL. especially when it's not a g-rated matinee.

tidetravel

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_baby-movie-theatre?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:9Discussion:29500e25-8c17-45c4-9f7d-19dd12b29b50Post:b7ca9c3b-c5cf-4105-8207-6ff016f9c28f">Re: Baby in a movie theatre?</a>:
[QUOTE]I wonder how many people who think the way all of us here do will be eating their words when they have children.  Surely all the rude mothers out there used to have some decency, no?
Posted by mandysmear[/QUOTE]

I have yet to see Avatar because I know better than to think that my baby will sleep through a loud, action packed film for 2-3 hours.  I'm pretty sure those rude mothers were simply rude people to begin with.  As much as I may WANT to go out to the movies or to dinner, I still have my decency :)

sarabellam

I STILL haven't seen "Saving Private Ryan," because we made plans to see it while I was pregnant, but delivered my daughter the day before we were going to see it.

SarahPLiz

We are patrons of a theatre that doesn't allow children at all (they also serve beer and full meals). They will also kick your ass out for talking, having your cell ring, or texting during the movie, and they tell you that in no uncertain terms before the show starts. They have designated baby days where people can bring kids to mattinee features and its fine. We just don't go on baby day.

WHen I watch a movie, I expect not just babies, but adults to be quiet as well. If your kids isn't old enough to follow directions, or be so enthralled with the movie that they sit still for 2 hours, then just put the DVD on your netflix and enjoy it at home.. 

This isone of the special messages before the movie. I love them:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V-bcHA06zw0

Bubbalub

At the Metreon in SF they have early showings for parents where they can bring their kids, the sound is turned down so it doesn't blow out your eardrums and it's made clear that it is a kid's screening. I think that's pretty cool for parents that really want to see a relatively tame movie.

However, we also have kids at EVERY show we've ever gone to, including Texas Chainsaw Massacre and the like. WTF, parents? I saw one scene from a scary movie when I was about 6 years old and had nightmares for years afterwards. If a movie is too fuucking scary for some adults, or too sexually explicit/violent/etc. then leave the kids at home.

JessAndTrav

I agree that this is stupid. I agree that parents deserve a night out, but get a sitter? Don't have one that night, then wait for another night.

As a PP stated, maybe if it's a kid's movie, but not in a movie that's for adults. And not if they're an actual baby.

Babies can't watch a movie for 2 hours that isn't created for babies because their minds candle it---so really. What's the point.

Just like bringing a newborn to Disneyworld. They're not going to remember it and now I have to walk behind your stroller. Thank you.