Kids talking during movies *at home*

[Anonymous]

This is me and my spouse. He usually ignores my talking (doesn't respond) and if I'm talking way too much, he'll say something along the lines of, "come on I'm trying to watch the movie."

It's called compromise

[Anonymous]

Nope. No taking during movies at our house. (And we watch a lot of movies.) This is basic etiquette. You’re setting your kid up to drive other people crazy else’s and down the line.

We discuss movies at length after they’re over. Or if someone’s really confused or needs to say something, they would know to ask us to pause it. Ages 12 and 15, fwiw.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Nope. No taking during movies at our house. (And we watch a lot of movies.) This is basic etiquette. You’re setting your kid up to drive other people crazy else’s and down the line.

We discuss movies at length after they’re over. Or if someone’s really confused or needs to say something, they would know to ask us to pause it. Ages 12 and 15, fwiw.

If you go "crazy" because people are talking during movies, you need to watch movies alone. Watching movies does not equate to performing heart surgery.


It's one thing to have that rule at your house. It's quite another to thing It's an essential etiquette.

Unclench.

[Anonymous]

^ think, not thing

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is not about in a movie theater ... When I watch a movie (or most tv), I do not want any talking. I am locked in. I like getting absorbed. I think it's a better experience. My 13yo son, however, can't restrain himself. He talks continually. It's always about the movie -- on the plot, on the production, etc. He's reacting to it and thinking about. It drives me absolutely insane, and often I want to yell at him or muzzle him. But then I think that this is how he enjoys the experience. He's teeming with thoughts and feelings. Is it really good to make him suppress that, just because it messes up my enjoyment?

(Again, different rules in a movie theater -- he knows he's not supposed to talk there.)

I agree. He needs to keep quiet both at home and at theater.

Does anyone else struggle with this? How do you handle it?

[Anonymous]

My daughter does the same thing. I am in the same boat as you it is so hard to even want to watch the movie because now I have missed parts. I know she is not trying to ruin the experience for others so I try to only say shh once in awhile. I think she might have a form of adhd. She talks even when she watches TV by herself. I think to some degree it is normal but can definitely be annoying. Don't let everyone else make you feel bad for being annoyed, they probably don't have the same experience so they don't understand.

[Anonymous]

Ha, my son and I are the reverse of you and yours (though my kid is fine with a little talking). What is the point of watching a movie together if you don’t communicate at all?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Nope. No taking during movies at our house. (And we watch a lot of movies.) This is basic etiquette. You’re setting your kid up to drive other people crazy else’s and down the line.

We discuss movies at length after they’re over. Or if someone’s really confused or needs to say something, they would know to ask us to pause it. Ages 12 and 15, fwiw.

If you go "crazy" because people are talking during movies, you need to watch movies alone. Watching movies does not equate to performing heart surgery.


It's one thing to have that rule at your house. It's quite another to thing It's an essential etiquette.

Unclench.

NP here. Talk all you want at home.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why do you watch movies together? You and your son have different ways to enjoy the movie experience. If you try to curb him talking, then you may be curbing his excitement or enjoyment of the movie. So stop watching movies together. You don't enjoy it that way, so why make one person or the other person enjoy it less. With most streaming services, even rentals, you can watch for like a 48 hour period, so watch it separately at different times. Then you can enjoy it in peace and quiet and he can enjoy it as a more interactive experience.

Agree. This makes no sense. What's the point of watching together?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yes you need to lighten up and if you want to watch a movie in silence you watch one without your child.

Watching a movie (or doing anything actually) with you child is about bonding, not the movie.

Cooking - he might not be perfect or a little messy, who cares, your bonding.
Walking - toddler are a pain in the ars they are slow, i can't get all my steps in ... too bad, your bonding
Playing sports - yes they suck, then they are way better than you , you get a sliver in time that you can play at the same level.

This is not about the movie.

Fast forward 4 years and you will very.very.alone watching movies.

This.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. The responses that said, bsaically, treat the experience as being with him rather than watching a movie -- that seems like the right answer. But also the hardest one for me to actually do.

As for the pause button, it breaks the spell.

OP, how much time do you typically spend with your child? Are you the father? Are you neurodivergent?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm not trying to go off on OP but when I read something like this, I wonder how this person became so self-absorbed.

Everything can't be "go to therapy" and fix yourself, but I do wonder how TF did you even get here.

+1 this is OP's own teen child! It should feel worthwhile to share this experience and hear his reactions / thoughts

[Anonymous]

I think it’s okay to tell your kid, hey let’s take breaks every 30 min and then we can talk about all the things you want to talk about. Rest of the time let’s be silent.

[Anonymous]

It sounds like both OP and her son need therapy and medication. The son has ADHD, the mom maybe has autism? This is how she’s reached adulthood and doesn’t realize the oddity of her behavior.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’m a movie talker, DH is not. Let him live OP, some of us like to keep a dialogue going. 😉 he will find his people I promise.

ugh, why watch a movie with your dialogue. I agree with Op and not just with kids. I don’t want anyone talking during a movie