Should you bring a toddler to ‘Zero Dark Thirty’?
We went last Saturday night to see “Zero Dark Thirty,” and I was surprised to see a small child in the theater. The little girl was probably between 2 and 3 years old. It was an 8 p.m. showing.
I guess the ticket for the child was less expensive than paying a baby sitter. The toddler didn’t make any noises and did fall asleep about an hour into the movie. However, the entire first hour of the movie was torture scenes to get information from terrorist suspects. I wanted to cover the toddler’s eyes and ears. The toddler was in her parent’s lap but was looking at the screen.
So what are your thoughts: If you know your child is going to fall asleep do you bring them to a questionable movie? Do you think it wasn’t a big deal because waterboarding may not register with a child as violent? Or were these parents just totally wrong to bring a small child into that movie at any time of day? Should the theater not allow kids in with their parents to movies like that or does it just have to be up to the parents’ judgment?
Side Note: I really wanted to see this movie because I was interested in the hunt for Osama bin Laden, however I didn’t think it was great. It was good and interesting but it was very violent. I think “Argo” was a better made movie than “Zero Dark Thirty.” And I think Jessica Chastain was better in “The Debt” than in “Zero Dark Thirty.”
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67 comments Add your comment
Mike
January 17th, 2013
4:26 pm
It was totally inappropriate for that child to be there.
The current group of tatted up, pierced up, young folks who can’t get jobs, is certainly going to carry on if this is how they are parenting.
The overall class level of our society is dropping like a rock. It is really sad to watch.
I would have called the manager or the department of childrens services if I had seen this.
MrLiberty
January 17th, 2013
4:33 pm
Nobody should see that pack of lies.
ssidawg
January 17th, 2013
5:45 pm
There’s only one answer to this question. NO.
K's Mom
January 17th, 2013
5:48 pm
I have a 2 1/2 year old and an 8 month old. We are thick in this stage of life. Here is my take on it. Hiring a babysitter once or twice a month to care for your children for an adult night does several things. First, it builds your relationship with your spouse/partner which in turn provides a more stable life for your child. Second, it teaches your children that they are a part of your world that is extremely important, but that your relationship with your spouse is just as important and that should be respected. Third, the second point goes a very long way in teaching kids they are not the center of the universe and that will help them in every situation they are in during their life. Fourth it teaches your kids that just because you can does not mean you should and that adults should use manners and good judgement. And fifth, a babysitter once or twice a month is a lot cheaper than couples therapy or a divorce.
Regardless of the movie, a young child should not be there. I will not take either of our boys to a movie until they are about 3.5 or 4. I have sense enough to know that others have paid for the movie and should be able to enjoy it and not be disturbed by my kid’s short attention span..
I will take our kids to the Olive Garden and Chick-fil-A, but they are not going anywhere much nicer than that until they have the maturity to sit still and use consistent manners. We work on manners every night at dinner so that when they are older they can enjoy a meal in a nice restaurant, but they were not born entitled to meals at Pano’s and Paul’s. It is more expensive to hire a babysitter, but my husband and I find it to be more important to nurture our relationship than it is to save that money and we are in no way wealthy.
TWG, I get why you were concerned about the content of the movie, but I think the bigger issue is the lack of manners and judgement many parents use these days.
sarah
January 17th, 2013
6:46 pm
my post won’t show up… annoying
sarah
January 17th, 2013
6:47 pm
well that one did… go figure #@!&*^#
motherjanegoose
January 17th, 2013
6:54 pm
NO. Bottom line…common sense is evaporating, in our society. It is a scary world out there.
@ K’s Mom..AMEN: the bigger issue is the lack of manners and judgement many parents use these days.
Tiffany
January 17th, 2013
7:45 pm
No young children should be in R rated movies. It should be common sense to most people. If you can’t afford a sitter- wait for the dvd. The grocery store, however, is another situation. Most people don’t hire a sitter so they can go grocery shopping. That is a luxury most of us don’t have. I think that all parents have been there at some point…with a small child having a melt down. A little compassion and understanding here can go a long way. Instead of a dirty look…how about a smile and a little less judgement…
Misty
January 17th, 2013
9:32 pm
The answer here is No. An idea for moms and grocery shopping- trade off with a friend who has kids. You watch hers while she shops and she watches yours while you shop. No money is exchanged. Kids are happier playing with friends and Mom can plan dinners and shop quicker. I understand it’s hard to shop and have a child who is having a melt down.
BehindEnemyLines
January 17th, 2013
10:07 pm
Child, by your own description, caused no issues. In this instance, as described, MYOB.
K's Mom
January 18th, 2013
12:16 am
@Mayhem, I agree with you for the most part about the grocery store. If a child was flinging a fit in the grocery store (or any other store or a restaurant) and the parent is doing nothing, I think a dirty look is totally appropriate. I have had my kid melt down in public, even when I have planned well and I do everything in my power to remove him. His first major meltdown at 21 months old was in a restaurant which was kid friendly. I removed him, took him to the bathroom, gave him a you are not going to act this way speech and gave him one more chance. He continued to act like a brat so I had my friend get our lunch packed up to go and I took him to the car. It completely ruined my lunch with my friend, but he was my kid and I was not going to ruin everyone else’s lunch. I plan my trips to the grocery around naptimes and eating time if I have to take my kids. I try to go during nap time when my husband is at home. I am not a perfect parent and I certainly do not have perfect kids, but setting the expectation of good behavior up front and following through with consequences makes a huge difference and I can completely understand why someone would be irritated by unruly kids with parents who are not dealing with it.
Ann
January 18th, 2013
6:29 am
@ derek – You seem to be more concerned for the parents’ rights than the child. It is America for the child, too. A child has the “right” to live a life free of being exposed to violence at the age of 2 or 3.
@ me – Here’s why it’s annoying, even though the child was quiet. It is distracting for others to be in the presence of a child who is being treated inappropriately or in a manner that can be harmful. Saying the child will not remember the movie later is irrelevant, as most everyone knows that toddlers are shaped by the things they see and experience every day.
Ann
January 18th, 2013
6:47 am
@ Armanda – It is the business of society when toddlers and other young children are exposed to extreme violence. If all parents have the “freedom” to just do whatever they want in raising their children, we will simply have more incidents of teenagers and young adults shooting crowds of people.
Anyone who witnesses a young child in a violent movie should speak to the manager of the theater to encourage they adopt a policy regarding young children in R rated movies. And, you should tell the manager that you will patronize the other theater chains that do have that policy. For example, a large Chicago chain recently adopted a policy that states that children under age 6 will no longer be allowed in R rated movies, and those over age 6 would have to pay the adult fare when accompanied by a parent.
motherjanegoose
January 18th, 2013
9:06 am
@ Ann…love that last idea. If it is a movie for adults, then pay the adult price!
catlady
January 18th, 2013
3:05 pm
To me bringing a child that age would be child abuse. In fact, letting/making ANY child watch crap like that would be child abuse. I would never consider it. How can that be “entertainment?”
djm_NC
January 19th, 2013
9:41 pm
it is called manners. no toddler can be quiet for that long…in fact i have pretty much stopped going to movies at theaters because of older kids (teens) and even adults who seem to not have been taught manners. thank god for dvds and netflix.
djm_NC
January 19th, 2013
9:43 pm
not to mention the acutaly topic….why would you expose your little child to something so violent. there is no reason for this and no one knows what sticks in a little kids mind. until it is too late.