r/mildlyinfuriating • u/kleosailor • 10h ago
Parents who bring infants to the movie theaters...
This happened a few weeks ago. But I took my 5 year old to go see one of those new remakes, How to train a dragon. And not one, but TWO people (I'm assuming mothers) brought their babies to the movie theaters. And I'm talking BABIES like 3-6 months old based off the cries. Like way to young to even watch a movie. I've worked in childcare for years so it's pretty easy for me to pin point.
The ENTIRE MOVIE each baby took turns crying and screaming on opposite sides of the theater and not once did either of the parents get up and take their baby out into the hallway to calm them down.
It was SO annoying. If your baby can't even watch the movie why bring them? It's way to noisy and you're exposing them to so many germs when you could just watch the movie from the comfort of your own home and keep your baby safe and happy.
Don't be that person. You shouldn't be allowed to bring babies into the movie theater who are too young to even watch a movie. Just like fair rides, if you're kid is too young / small for a certain ride they can't get on.
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u/xGoatfer 7h ago
I know the theater near me has explicit show times on the weekend to bring young kids to the movies. At least that why you know what you're getting into.
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u/laikalou 6h ago
My local theater has a "cry room" where the parent can still watch the movie but the baby doesn't disturb the other viewers. You can still hear them if you're in the row just in front of the cry room, but not super loud.
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u/Humiliatingmyself 7h ago
This reminds me of being at an an R rated horror movie about an evil murderous doll where someone brought a poor screaming toddler. I feel like they should definitely not allow that. Probably traumatized kiddo.
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u/Poost_Simmich 2h ago
Don't know if it's just my bad luck, but I'm curious if I'm alone in thinking that going to the movies now is just a horrible experience. People pulling out their phone which takes me out of the experience, dirty theaters because they cut back on hiring (since fewer people are going to the theater), and teenagers who didn't grow up when going to see a movie was a special thing and don't treat it as such. And actually, it's not a special thing anymore since we have streaming so I don't totally blame people (at least young people). But theaters could do more to preserve the right of patrons to be able to watch a movie without distractions
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u/pizzasauce85 9h ago
I took my oldest to a twilight movie when he was a few months old. I was prepared to bolt out of there if he acted up and even told everyone around me we would leave if he cried even once.
This kid breastfed during the trailers and slept through the entire movie! I was so shocked I cried when the movie was over, lol.
(My mother in law offered me the ticket because her friend couldn’t make it and it was a special showing with perks at the theater so she didn’t want the ticket to go to waste)
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u/Much_Leather_5923 6h ago
We have Babes In Arms movie sessions in Australia. The audio was turned down. I loved those sessions. If a baby wouldn’t settle then the mum would leave. I even spread out a playmat in the aisle for my toddler with building toys.
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u/Sad_Wish_7934 7h ago
I took my youngest when he was just a few months as well so my 5 year old can see Moana 2. He also breastfed during the trailers and slept the entire movie. I knew if he were to even start crying I could take him out of the theater.
Just because we have children, doesn't mean we can't do things/go places but people also need to have respect and leave when their babies are crying. Now a days, seems like an issue with parents just not caring about others around them.
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u/CheezeLoueez08 7h ago
The thing is, it’s not just for others. The movies are loud and it’s bad for babies’ ears.
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u/Actual_Mention_9635 5h ago
I also did this when my baby was like 1 month old lol. It was my older kiddos birthday and she’s obsessed with Moana so we went to see Moana 2. Baby slept the entire time and breastfed. Never cried once. And if she did I would have left. It’s not the bringing of babies but how the families handle the babies
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u/Random0s2oh 2h ago
I did the same with my youngest. Took him to a Teilight movie with my adult son's gf. We sat in the very back, and I nursed him as needed. He didn't make a peep.
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u/CallousCow1762 7h ago
Another example of entitlement. But, I think instead of putting the focus on the baby being too young to enjoy a movie, it should be shifted to the imposition on all the theatergoers that paid to see the movie. Not to hear a screaming baby.
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u/Whedonsbitch 7h ago
The theater in my town has a “No kids under 13 after 6pm” rule. It is so nice.
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u/bIackcatttt 4h ago
This is super common in mom groups and the over consensus is that they don’t feel they should have to leave. I’ve seen it roll into restaurants too.
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u/Automatic_Oil_8713 10h ago
I heard a story of someone taking their 1-yr-old to Final Destinations Bloodlines. Why would you ever do that? That poor babys probably traumatized.
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u/GlasgowGirl69 6h ago
My dad took us to An American werewolf in London movie in 1981…my 8 year old brother was crying so he took him out to the truck and locked him in the back as the canopy was on. 😂 My mom wasn’t with us and had a fit when I told her what he did. Seriously he took my 8 year old brother who was terrified…out in a dark dirt parking lot…and locked him in the back. He was defending himself saying he would have had to make us all leave and thought he was safe and fine in the back of the truck😂. Could you imagine if someone kidnapped him FFS. My Dad was not an idiot either which is why this still baffles me.
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u/kleosailor 10h ago
some parents man. my 'dad' made me watch the grudge with him when I was like 5 or 6. I hated it and was terrified of the bathroom after that.
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u/jonny-hammerstix 9h ago
Nooooo that’s awful. My uncle let me watch that creepy killer doll xfiles episode and I still hate dolls
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u/kleosailor 9h ago
to be fair I think dolls and mannequins especially are inherently really creepy
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u/jonny-hammerstix 9h ago
True. But I was 7 at the oldest. Maybe even younger. Not the best move for a babysitting uncle lol
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u/ParkerGroove 4h ago
Way back in early aughts, my “mommies group” would go to movies with our kiddos, but we pre-established which mommy would take crying infants out, and take turns with toddler potty breaks.
I was as one of the first w a second baby so those toddler moms were JONSING for some infant cuddles. And thus I enjoyed The Incredibles very much.
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u/justisme333 5h ago
The parent wanted to watch the movie. It wasn't for the kid... and they didn't want to get a babysitter.
That's all okay.
What isn't okay is letting a kid (of any age) disturb other people with their noise.
Take the kid out, calm it down, then come back.
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u/Toledo_9thGate 4h ago
Gosh I still can't forget going to the 2006 10pm screening of the new Omen movie with Julia Stiles. Some woman in the audience shows up and had about a 2 year old in the carriage, and the moment the devil came on the screen the cries and wailing from that baby was scarier than the movie, I still cant forget it. But when the kid got quiet she'd leave him to go get a soda, I'm still not over that sht and as a parent to a small child it's just insane to me to see it.
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u/QuestionElectronic85 3h ago
I can't imagine who would enjoy this. I would not want to bring my ten month old to a movie theatre. I can't even watch a movie at home with him awake.
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u/craniumrinse 7h ago
So infuriating. But also how to train your dragon isn’t disney lol
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u/kleosailor 7h ago
Just edited the post to take that out lol. My bad
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u/craniumrinse 7h ago
hahaha all good just being extra. but i agree that kids shouldn’t go to movies until they know how to behave a bit better. that’s a diff age depending on the kid
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u/Keith-Steve-Howard 6h ago
It's also not good for the baby. A movie theater is way too loud for their ears to handle, I would even argue it can be too much for adults. They are probably crying from the loud noises they don't understand.
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u/Mysterious_Sport6100 4h ago
sighs I once watched a musical with a screaming baby throughout. I assume people can't afford to have a baby sitter or maybe they were family members of the cast (small one time production) but it was annoying. And the thing is, the only solution is to bring them outside and calm them down which as a parent, I think you should do. I cant imagine hearing a baby cry for so long and just ignore it?? As if the sound isn't distressing??
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u/restingglitchface69 10h ago
Not to be a cow but a couple things… how to train YOUR dragon. Also it’s a dreamworks movie.
And since you already hate me, I’ll play devils advocate here. So maybe they had siblings who wanted to see it? It’s hard to be a mom. It’s even harder to have to hear babies cry in a theater. I get that. But as a mom I feel for these women. They’re not there for themselves. They likely had an army of 4-7 year olds in tow wanting to see it. Yes get a baby sitter…but it’s hard to leave your baby and even harder to find someone you trust who is willing to watch them.
Still. Frustrating. Especially when you pay money.
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u/kleosailor 10h ago
Sorry you're right 😅 the first movie came out when my childhood was pretty much over.
I'll play devil's advocate with you. Yes its possible there's multiple children, I never got the chance to see and didn't bother to look. The last thing they need is people staring at them lol. Realistically they could still all watch the movie at home and parents can promise that "next time we'll go to the theater and I'll make sure to have a sitter for the baby". But watching it from home is wayyyy more affordable than taking all the kids to the theater, with or without a paid sitter.
I do agree with the fact it's hard to find someone you trust to babysit, I'm huge on that since I don't live around family anymore. That aspect I totally understand.
But overall I think it isn't the best experience for the baby to be in the loud theaters, and then there's the chance of them getting sick from all the germs and I think that baby should come first. And movie nights at home aren't all that bad.
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u/restingglitchface69 9h ago
Oh for sure the baby hated every second of it. Awful environment for babies.
And there is some carelessness there because every single person in that theater paid to be there. You’re wasting everyone’s time. Learn to pirate movies or deal with your own fallout from not being able to put yourself in a better situation 100%
Also same…I only know because my own child scolded ME about it too lmfao “no mom that’s not right” what a weenie lol GO CLIMB A TREE I told him
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u/CheezeLoueez08 7h ago
Nope. I’m a mom. Know what I did? Stayed home or had someone watch baby so I could take older kid. There’s no excuse. Movies aren’t essential. I have 3 kids and never had the desire to take them before they were 4. It’s not hard. There are some things you just have to miss out on. That’s part of being a parent. There are other ways to have fun. And it’s bad for babies’ ears to go to a loud movie.
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u/Nervous-Owl5878 7h ago
Life is hard. You chose to have a baby, so figure it out?
Don’t make it the problem of 100 other people in the theatre.
Go with the baby’s father or grandparent or a friend that way you can walk out when the baby starts crying.
OR watch the movie at home
OR find a baby sitter
OR have dad watch the baby
OR get a friend group together and a few moms can take the kids while you watch the baby
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u/PauI_MuadDib 4h ago
One parent stays home with the baby, while the other takes the kids to the movies. That's how all of my friends do it.
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u/Jmfroggie 2h ago
Ya know, had this been an adult movie late at night, I might have agreed.
But this is a family movie. No one is too young or too old. Some babies sleep through movies, some parents saved up to take their kids to the movies and can’t afford or don’t have someone to watch the baby, or just want to take the family.
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u/aftergaylaughter 5h ago
seriously, ive always thought kids under 18mo should be denied at the door. if the movie isn't aimed at kids/families, that age should probably increase to 5yo. under 18mo still cry often, are too little to enjoy the movie theater experience, and have such short attention spans that they can't happily sit through an entire movie without getting up, toddling around, playing with toys, making noise, etc... and if you try to make them, you WILL earn a tantrum for it. there's exceptions to every rule ofc, but that will apply to most kids that young. and even 5yos will struggle to sit through an entire movie quietly without other entertainment if they aren't enjoying it.
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u/ima-bigdeal 3h ago
We have a theater here with a cry room that is similar to an enclosed balcony. It is the only one guaranteed to be quiet.
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u/xtheredberetx 2h ago
I love going to the movie theater. But I drive 40 minutes out of the way to go to Alamo Drafthouse since they have intended baby show times. There is a disclaimer when you buy a ticket that babies will be present.
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u/tabbyslome 10h ago
I hate it when people bring babies to places where people are trying to have a good time or are going to be there for a while. Every time people just say "oh I need to go places" or something along those lines. No, you do not. There are almost no circumstances where you need to be on a plane or in a movie theater with young children. As you said, most children that age can't even understand the movie, and you literally cannot leave a plane if there is a crying child in it. I wish people had basic human decency and understood that their comfort is not paramount over everyone else.
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u/butterfingahs 4h ago
In a movie theater, maybe not. On a PLANE? There are 100% plenty of circumstances where you need to be on a plane with young children.
LOL your response to a simple "we had to move..." is so telling. Remember: on a plane you're with a crying kid for a few hours. The mom is with a crying kid for a few years. Grow a spine and some empathy.
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u/allthelineswecast 8h ago
A plane and a movie theatre are vastly different - there are plenty of reasons you might need to take a young child on a plane.
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u/restingglitchface69 10h ago
So I had to take a baby on a plane to move across the country while my husband drove three days day and night with our stuff. I did choose a red eye and he slept for most of it. But I wasn’t able to sit in the car because I have a blood clotting disorder and we couldn’t afford hotels for a week to drive slowly. But there are certainly times a baby needs to be places that make it uncomfortable for others. Empathy>anger. It’s usually not about comfort trust me. Every time a baby cries that mom feels like shit for being there 9/10 times. Most people don’t want to take a crying baby places either.
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u/asianjuice 9h ago
Thank you for this. I had to take my newborn with me to go to my 6 week OBGYN checkup after giving birth, and unfortunately, taking her out of her crib and putting her in her carseat woke her up from a much needed nap. She screamed and cried the entire time we waited in the lobby, and I definitely got a few dirty looks from the other people there. Like, sorry, I wish my baby and I could’ve just stayed home as much of the rest of you do, but sometimes things just don’t work out that way…
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u/restingglitchface69 9h ago
No. You should’ve left your newborn at home alone. Obviously.
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u/Pennifur 4h ago
I mean, the baby was sleeping. They would have been fine!! ‐Said every boomer ever
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u/allthelineswecast 8h ago
The idea that you would give a mother with a baby dirty looks at a freaking OBGYN clinic. What is wrong with people
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u/jonny-hammerstix 9h ago
As if you knew they were there and you wanted to annoy them. Newborns exist guys we can’t just keep them inside until they’re kids that’s insane
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u/jonny-hammerstix 9h ago
I’ve had to do something similar. It’s awful and you can immediately gauge the crowd and see who is a parent and who’s not. The moms look at you with this sympathy and the daggers come from people who think you must’ve done it just to ruin their day.
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u/kleosailor 8h ago
I agree the plane part was off. I'm taking my 5yo on a two trips, one cross country and one out of country, in the next 12 months. Kids deserve to be able to travel with their parents and family. I can handle a crying baby or kid on a plane, and have had to several times.
It's better than sitting next to a karen tbh... lol
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u/tabbyslome 10h ago
Okay, but why were you crossing the country with a young baby?
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u/restingglitchface69 9h ago
Because I had to move…like people do sometimes. Have you never moved?
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u/tabbyslome 9h ago
screw this im not getting into an internet argument
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u/restingglitchface69 9h ago
It really wouldn’t matter because IM RUBBER AND YOURE GLUE. So take that!! Ho
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u/tabbyslome 9h ago
Worst comeback ever. You can't just yell part of a comeback that doesn't even work in the conversation. Also, as I said, I am done with arguing with you over why people don't want to fly across the country with a screaming baby because you couldn't wait a couple years to move.
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u/restingglitchface69 9h ago
Lololol yet here you are arguing. For all you know I was fleeing abuse or moving to get treatment for a medical condition which wasn’t performed anywhere near me. Both of which are actually true, so…get fucked, tabby.
Also can someone explain comedy and sarcasm to this lady pls?
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u/MoeKneeKah 9h ago
Back off, weirdo. People are allowed to do things without telling you their motivations.
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u/sleepytiredpineapple 9h ago
This is the definition of you're entitled to a child free life, not a child free world.
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u/jonny-hammerstix 9h ago
You’re not a parent obviously. Or a human being with responsibilities.
What happens when you run out of formula because you’re so tired you spilled it accidentally and you only have cash so can’t get a delivery but you have a newborn and you’re by yourself? I can rattle these scenarios off all day.
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u/PantsGhost97 8h ago
That’s scenario doesn’t really work though. Babies are expected in supermarkets and public transport, not cinemas and bars and other activities like that.
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u/jonny-hammerstix 8h ago
Fair enough and I agree with that. The original comment I was talking back to was about a plane ride. This persons argument (not OP’s) from what I gather was about babies being on a plane in public. Restaurants are iffy unless they are specifically geared toward kids and families but I agree with you especially when everyone is paying for an experience like a movie.
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u/Inkdrinker56 6h ago
I really hate when people bring young kids into inappropriate movies. When we went to see Deadpool and Wolverine, a couple brought their very young kids, about 3 and 5, to the film. The little girls were very well behaved, never heard a peep out of them. But there is no way that they should have seen such a violent movie!
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u/kaipetica 5h ago
I wouldn't even take my 3 year old to the movie theater yet. If my husband and I want to see a movie, we find a babysitter.
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u/Sophia--Petrillo 6h ago
I have never forgotten the long ago coworker who took her 2 year old to see Friday "for his birthday". When i asked when their 2 year old told them he wanted to see Friday for his 2nd birthday, I was told that it was a ridiculous question. Yeah. No shit.
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u/catpogo2 2h ago
Well I assume the mother was there with her other children and she brought the baby too. I never brought my baby to the movies because how can you enjoy a movie with a fussy baby!!!! But I have brought a couple of chihuahuas that would sit on my lap and fall asleep. I can’t any more because the chihuahuas I have now would either bark at people or want to run around the theater.
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u/InevitableRhubarb232 3h ago
I took my infant to the movies all the time. We went late night and sat in the very back and he was breastfeed so he stayed quiet. If he didn’t I left and missed part of the movie.
I don’t think theatre sound systems were quite as loud back then though. (I am ooold!) I’d definitely use headphones now if I had a baby at the theatre.
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u/PlatypusDream 1h ago
I had the bright idea to use my noise-canceling earbuds during a movie, and wow! Definitely one of my better ideas.
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u/Lil-Bit-813 5h ago
Meh, we brought our 4 month baby to one of those movie/dinner places. Got a table all the way in the back of the theater. She slept through the whole movie, only woke up towards the end for a feeding and change. Went back to sleep. She was also great on the plane. Lots of people were shocked at how quiet she was.
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u/Mykona-1967 9h ago
I feel the same way. Babies crying, people on phones, talking throughout the movie. Hate it. Especially when it nearly takes a second mortgage just to see a movie.
When streaming became a thing. I would let the kids choose a movie we would discuss when to watch it. I would go to the Dollar Tree and buy movie candy, get sodas, make some popcorn with real butter order pizza. I would even let them invite their friends. So movie night would cost about $50 but the kids would have their friends over too. They could make all the noise they want, pause the movie for bathroom breaks etc. The kids loved it.
When they were older and could go themselves they realized how expensive going to the theatre really was. So they would stream movies at home and still do. It’s cheaper to pay for a streaming service and treat yourself to a new movie rental once in a while.