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?

Educating Our Youth Too Soon, Or Not Soon Enough?

I was having a discussion with some mothers and some schoolteachers, some of which are also moms. We were discussing when is it too early to begin starting your child to school, or should there be an age limit. Many said around 2-3, and no later than 5. One said daycares and preschools are trying to force children to grow up too fast. She said the age should be 6 or 7 before they begin school. We're talking about at average to above average intelligence here.

Back in the 1950s-1970s, the earliest you could begin school was typically first grade. It was definitely a progression from the one room schoolhouses like you would see on Little House On The Prairie. Then in the early 80s, more children were beginning kindergarten at age five. By the 90s, daycare facilities were becoming more popular and children were beginning school as early as age three, and four year old kindergartens were the norm. 

Monterossi programs and good daycares now nurture and develop a toddler's mind. There is no more babysitting or sitting a child in the front of the tube with a Spongebob or Wiggles DVD. Age appropriate skills such as ABCs, counting and even handwriting are taught as soon as the child shows the intellect for it, sometimes under two years old.

Personally, I think it is all fine and good, so long as the child is not being forced to learn. Slowly bringing them along and proper development of their abilities is the best way in my opinion. Many parents want to give their children the best chance to succeed. It is often best for them to learn these proper habits early on in life.

The college landscape and then the workplace are all competitive now. Being the best and the brightest is often a leg up, especially when competing with countries such as China and Russia.

A child can still be a child while learning to read and write early, interact with others, and even learn a skill or talent such as art or music. It does not mean they cannot have fun and play. Playtime and outdoor activities are highly encouraged as many children do not play outside as they once did. Therefore, they are not growing up fast, they are progressing and growing their brains.

Children will be children, and all should be given the best chance to succeed. No Child Left Behind was started with this mindset. Let's not backtrack to the 1950s. Our children are the future, and we have to keep them up with the current trends.

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