Sunday, May 10, 2009

Family Time

The little boy who sat next to me was probably 4. He wore a pair of striped shorts and Diego tee shirt. He was playing with his cars. He kept to himself though he talked a lot and tried to get his mommy's attention. Every once in a while he would ask questions.

Another little girl sat right behind me on her daddy's lap. She was pretty fussy and spent most of her time grabbing at her food. She cried a couple of times but hey, she was only 2 so who could blame her.

How nice to see parents out with their young children. Family time is always treasured and I love watching people spend their weekends as a family.

Except when I'm at the theater seeing Wolverine.

As much as I tried to concentrate on the (not-so-great) film, I was just taken back by this appalling lack of responsibility. For the love of God people, why on earth would you think you are good parents by taking your youngsters to Wolverine? What kind of example do you think you are setting for these kids?

There are days I cringe when Corey asks for Herbie Goes Bananas for the umpteenth million time. But the sound of him laughing just makes it worthwhile each time I sit there.

For this little boy in the theater, what reference of being 4-years-old does he have when he's watching a movie like this? I can only think of how distorted his world view is when it is all at a PG-13 level.

7 Comments:

Blogger Idaho Dad said...

I couldn't agree more. I remember several years ago when Rob Zombie's bloody remake of Halloween came out and there was a blog post somewhere about parents bringing their little children to a 9 o'clock showing of it.

You think that kid will be messed up by Wolverine? Imagine those kids who saw the slice-and-dice Halloween!!

It's too bad the theater management can't simply say, "No children under the age of 10." Guess they're desperate to sell a few extra tickets.

I wonder if a parent walked into Starbucks and tried to buy a double latte for their 4-year-old, would the barista refuse the sale?

12:18 AM  
Anonymous Sarah, Goon Squad Sarah said...

Ian really thinks he wants to go see that movie, but I am afraid it is way beyond him.

I mean, ads for ET scare him.

8:07 AM  
Blogger Mrs. Chili said...

This is just another example of parents abdicating their responsibility.

Oy.

9:14 AM  
Blogger Lola and Ava said...

Ummm, try watching Watchmen with about 18 kids under the age of 10 in the theater . . . how does one explain that to a 4-year-old?

5:47 PM  
Blogger WILLIAM said...

How was the movie otherwise?

6:01 AM  
Blogger Papa Bradstein said...

Not as bad as Idaho Dad, but when we went to a 9 or 10 p.m. showing of the last Batman, there were several dads who carried in kids from infants to toddlers. Two questions: why aren't they in bed, asleep? wtf are you thinking, dude--this is Batman, not Barney.

9:49 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

What, only PG-13 level?

We're dealing with a kid who previously regularly saw R-rated films (on video, not the theater). The damage is severe and just the tip of the iceberg of bad choices.

4:29 PM  

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