Common Courtesy and Common Sense

   Have you ever had one of those moments where you get an ovation for saying what the entire crowd around you is thinking? I had one of those moments last night while seeing a 9:45 showing of a movie that opened this weekend.

   In the theatre there were at least 4 small children who were raising a fuss during the entire movie. There are a few things wrong with this scenario: 1. Why is you small child out of bed after 9? 2. Why do you have a child in its formative years at a movie with profuse swearing and sexual references? 3. Why after your child screams do bring it back in the theatre? 4. Why do you feel the need to breast feed your newborn in the middle of a crowded theatre without a covering? Let's address these one at a time.

   1. Why is your small children out of bed after 9? Any good parent knows that their child needs around 10 hours of sleep a night. Teenage girls are here for a reason people! Everyone knows at least one middle or high school aged girl who is looking for some extra cash. Hire a babysitter if you are going to be out late. It's that simple.

   2. Why do you have a child in it's formative years at a movie with profuse swearing and sexual references? This is kind of a no brainer people. Your toddler picks up on everything. Your toddler repeats everything he or she hears. I have said before how I  have no problem with swearing  because it is a part of everyday life, but when you willingly expose your child to this behavior when they can't fully differentiate between right and wrong, well I have a problem with that.

   3. Why after your child screams do you bring it back into the theatre? If your child is screaming and fussing during a movie he or she is disrupting the experience for everyone, even yourself! How can you not figure out that the kid is trying to sleep and every time something blows up they will start right back to crying? I think this a good spot to go back and read the first point again. I need a coffee break anyway.

   4. Why do you feel the need to breast feed your newborn in the middle of a crowded theatre without a covering? I completely understand that your baby needs to eat. I really do, but when your baby needs to eat right beside me while I am trying to watch a movie it is somewhat distracting. It is even more distracting when all I see is side-boob and baby head. Not just distracting, but pretty gross too. Ok so I know I am not a mother and will never have that bond with my child, but even other women that I was there with thought it was gross too. Only the person doing the feeding thinks it's a beautiful thing, no one else does.

   So in short, show some respect and courtesy by not bringing your child to a late movie. You'll be happier watching it and so will everyone else around you. Use the common sense that God gave you and quit being so self-absorbed. That is a post for another day though!

Have you ever had a similar experience you would like to share? Leave a comment below.