Should Babies Be Allowed At The Movies, Or Be Banned

The summer movie season is in full effect. This and the Christmas holidays are when people frequent the theaters the most.

We have all sat in a theater and at some point during the movie heard a loud and annoying "waaaaaaa!" coming from an infant or newborn child. Oftentimes this happens so much the usher has to ask the adult and the crying baby to leave. 

Now why even bring the screaming infant to begin with?  Was the movie that good that you couldn't wait or you didn't care about not having a sitter? You would rather spoil the movie for everyone else and make your baby miserable. That is simply inconsiderate.

The solution is simple: if you can't get a sitter, don't go. However,  here's a better question: should theaters allow babies in the first place? They already know that crying is inevitable. 

An age limit would be a fine line, although there are already some in effect. One prohibits children under the age of six to watch an R-rated movie even with an adult.  But should babies simply be banned from theaters? Sounds simple,  but it's not from a business perspective. 

Theaters are trying to make money, period. From the tickets to the snacks,  they want to bank. Perhaps some could have a daycare option for a fee/movie or a fee/month for frequent movie watchers. Many of the larger theater chains already have this option, in such cities such as Denver and St. Louis.  There are already  Fandango and MovieWatcher discount clubs.  An in-theater daycare could be a happy medium, and a potential cash cow.

Not trying to get off topic here,  but many businesses have daycares and nurserys now: churches,  gyms, and even some workplaces. Other movie theaters, especially tones such as Regal Cinemas and AMC should take this into serious consideration.  It has had its hits and misses at other places.

Otherwise, you would have to ban adults with babies from attending,  or any child under four. Again it's a sticky situation, but one that can be resolved.

The movies are too expensive as it is. People don't go to theaters in droves as they once did thanks to Netflix,  bootleggs, and the simple hassles such as crying babies and other loud people.

So if you're a parent, I would urge you to be considerate of the rest of us. And if you want to see the movie that bad, get a sitter or try and start a daycare for theaters. It is sticky but doable.

Do crying babies annoy you at the movies?  For parents: what age did you begin taking your child to the theater?