Baby is weaning off the morning nap and instead of sitting calmly in my lap, she wanted to walk up and down the aisle of the dark theater, testing out all the strollers and carseats in her path.
The Boy proceeded to raise "freaking out" to a whole new level during the action portions, which caused me to split myself in two, so I could console him while chasing an escaping Baby.
Then? I forgot to bring money. No popcorn for Boo so she was less than pleased when asked to help with her siblings.
With one child stowing away in carseats, another hiding under his seat trying not to cry too loud, and a third pouting over her miserable life, it's a wonder we didn't leave after ten minutes. But we stuck it out and I promised myself all the homemade chocolate pudding I could whip up that evening. But we certainly weren't going back to the movies, at least not until all kids were in college.
That evening after the kids were in bed, I heard the usual giggling and chatting after hours. And what were they doing, you ask? Why, recreating their favorite scenes from the movie, of course! They keep asking me when we are going again, even promising to use their own money for tickets and treats.
I guess I had better stock up on pudding-making supplies. (And find a babysitter for Baby.)
Do you have any secrets to making a trip to the movies not end up as fodder for my therapist?
16 comments:
My only solution has been to avoid them. We braved our first movie just recently. It was okay...but we had our fair share of mishaps! I think it's a right of passage in motherhood..those first few movies, that is.
Drive in movies?
You can bring your own treats and lock the car doors to keep the kids in.
I've got nothing. As long as you don't bring them to an R Rated movie at 9 PM on a Friday night, I will not judge you. If you do, judging is fair game.
Um... get netflix or something. Seriously. You are WAY braver than me to go to the big screen. I've never done it with my kids.
My husband has, all by himself, and he said things went great. But I'm just too scared to take the risk.
I sit on the end of the aisle...older kids farthest away and pretty much plan on standing up (and bouncing baby) through the whole movie. Bring 10-20 suckers per kid (that's the real key)or other candy. The one who gets scared can turn around, away from the screen and hold the hand of the kid next to her :)
Torture for sure, but they love it.
Splitting yourself in two has got to come in handy in tons of situations. I really wish I had that skill.
We did movies all the time when ours was a baby, but then quit until this month, when he turned 3 and a half. And it works great if we go to our local, sort of crappy theater that is always pretty empty and we sit in the middle and use about 8 seats. He runs back and forth between us and eats popcorn by the barrelfull (cuz yes, it is essential) and we all have a great time. But then, I only have one, which surely makes a big 'ol difference.
I got nuthin'. I'm not exactly a parenting expert. Or even very good at it. But I did happen to take pictures of some ducks and cows recently and I was going to send them to you...if that's not too stalker-ish. And I remember.
We only go once in a great while. I never take them alone, though the husband gets just as sucked in as the 10-year-old, so I don't have a ton of help. Little Mister would eat his weight in popcorn, and then he has nasty diapers for days afterward. But the popcorn keeps him busy ... so ... it's a trade I guess. lol
I see our movie going becoming even less frequent starting Friday.
You are a brave, brave soul!!! My hat is off to you! I wish I had a tip, but I have yet to take my kids to a movie all by myself! :) You are braver than I!
Ya um... just don't do it. Been there and done that my brave friend! Unless you bring at LEAST two extra adults, who have no kids.
I don't believe in going to a movie with my kids alone. My husband or another adult must come! that is my only advice. Good luck next time ;)
Wow. I have never done movies alone. You are brave. We only go as a family. BG sits with Daddy and I manage Baby. We always sit on the end of the rown so I can get up and stand & bounce baby.
My oldest didn't go to a theater until she was 2. The baby started at 2 months.
Free summer movies. Here are a couple links or google it for theatres in your area. Then if it's horrible, at least you didn't pay for it (nor did any of the people you bothered.)
http://www.regmovies.com/nowshowing/familyfilmfestivalschedule.aspx?
http://www.amcentertainment.com/smc/
http://www.carmike.com/promotions.aspx?id=80
Oh, and I always take a bag of snacks.
I don't think I'm gonna spend the money on the movies for the boys until they are 8 yrs old. I'd rather just get it on Netflix. The hubby, on the other hand, keeps trying to convince me to take the boys with us to a movie we want to see...I refuse to be THAT GUY with the crying babies in the theater.
I tried to take mine to the movies once.
Never again. I can't split myself in two. Too painful!
Post a Comment