Kids left alone in the movies (teens, baby, parents, appropriate)

[no kudzu]

DH swore off movie theaters long ago when we realized a lot of parents simply drop off their kids to do whatever they please.
Do you drop your kids off at the movie? How do you know they aren't misbehaving and ruining the movie for others?

i've been to movies where kids should definitely not even be there much less there alone. I don't like violence but I can see how Mr. Kim just lost it and now he might be sued or go to jail.

Yong Hyun Kim, Washington man, allegedly hits 10-year-old in the face at movie theater - Crimesider - CBS News

[Mattie]

There is no excuse for what this man did. Even if it had been an obnoxious adult as he originally thought, he had no business throwing a punch. The right way to handle it is to leave and complain to the manager. In my experience the ones disturbing the show are asked to leave, and the complainer gets a refund.

I will not pay to see a movie in the theater, unless I am positive it is not something that would appeal to kids. I'd rather wait for the DVD and watch it in peace at home.

I let my kids go to the movies with their friends often. As long as the movie was appropriate for their age group, I was fairly confident they would be watching with mostly other kids, and a little bit of background noise was to be expected.

[OhioChic]

He needs to go to jail he knocked a 10 year olds tooth out. I hope it was a baby tooth. SMH

[Zimbochick]

Yeah, there is no excuse for what this man did. It doesn't matter if the person causing a disturbance is 10 or 70, you don't just turn around and throw a punch.

IME adults are equally irritating in movie theaters.

[Momma_bear]

I started letting my kids see movies without me when they were in 6th grade (around 11). I don't think it matters much whether it was a 10 year old, or an adult reacting to an irritating person by punching them is a little over the top.

[Kibbiekat]

I agree with the others. No excuse for what the man did. He should have complained to management if it was really that bad.

[NCRNStudent]

I don't think you should let your kids go to the movies alone until they are 14 or so. If your children are very immature (and prone to misbehavior), you shouldn't let them go to the movies alone at all (in my opinion).

I've been in theaters with annoying adults, teens, pre-teens, and children. There isn't one age that is annoying, and one age that isn't.

[Lucidkitty]

i guess i was around 9 or 10 when we went to the theater with parents but saw our own movies.

[veuvegirl]

It depends on the child. I started letting my son to get dropped off this year (6th grade). You need to start allowing your children to be independent and responsible.

[AnotherTouchOfWhimsy]

What a jerk! Obviously there's never any excuse for that.

As far as the movies, I would let my son go to the movies with a friend now, I suppose. He's 11 1/2 and will be in the 6th grade in the fall. I started going to the movies with friends in 6th grade.