12 year olds going to movies alone?

[Anonymous]

My kid does all the time, but we just moved over from Europe last summer and kids over there are more independent than American kids. I'm still adjusting to the lack of responsibility kids here have.

[Anonymous]

If a group of 12 years olds does get rowdy and you are chaperoning them from many rows away, what are you going to do about it? Get up and give them a time out? March them out of the theatre? Punish your kid later if some of them are rowdy? Tell their parents that their kids didn't obey the animated cup of soda that warned them about being quiet during the film?

I wouldn't send them to see an adult-oriented drama, but assuming they want to see, say a Saturday matinee of a movie aimed at kids or teens, it's not exactly like being in church. There will be multiple groups of rowdy tweens.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If a group of 12 years olds does get rowdy and you are chaperoning them from many rows away, what are you going to do about it? Get up and give them a time out? March them out of the theatre? Punish your kid later if some of them are rowdy? Tell their parents that their kids didn't obey the animated cup of soda that warned them about being quiet during the film?

I wouldn't send them to see an adult-oriented drama, but assuming they want to see, say a Saturday matinee of a movie aimed at kids or teens, it's not exactly like being in church. There will be multiple groups of rowdy tweens.

Ok, this is seriously a really dumb question. If they are rowdy, you get up, walk over and tell them to calm down and be quiet and be mindful as they are in a public place. Why do you think that is not going to be the answer?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My 12 yo DD said a bunch of girls and boys from her class (6th grade) wanted to go to the movies Friday. I told her that was fine but because this situation was new to me I would have to talk with her father and think about if it was okay to go without an adult. I asked her what she would think if her brother and I went to the same movie but sat a couple rows back to chaparone. She wasn't pleased but seemed okay with it.

Thoughts as to whether I should chaparone or not? Also tips for chaperoning movie outings would be greatly appreciated.

\\

Chaperone. Sit in the back away from the kids but definitely be there.

12 yr olds as a group are just obnoxious and they still need an adult to step in every now and then and remind them to act appropriately in public. They will still run in big groups of kids, they will giggle and be loud, etc.

OP here. This is what I was thinking too. Turns out some kids couldn't go if an adult wasn't going so my daughter volunteered me to chaperone Wish me luck!

Enjoy!

And I assure that my kid's friends parents would have said the same. it's just common sense.

[Anonymous]

I send my DD 11 years old and her friends along to the movie alone. I buy them tickets and walked them to the entrance. My DD has a phone. If anything happen, she will text me or call me. I will wait outside when they finished the movie.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Seriously? I definitely went to movies alone at that age

Don't make her be the dork whose mom Chaperones. No one will want to invite her next time

This past summer, right before 8th grade started, a mom of a girl at DD's school texted me to ask if DD wanted to go see a movie with her DD. I replied, "I don't know if DD's free - I'll text her and get back to you." I texted DD who had nothing else to do so agreed, and I told the mom DD would meet her DD there. She assured me she would drive DD home afterwards. I said, "Oh that's okay - it's still light out, so DD can walk home."

I got home from work and asked DD how the movie was. She said the mom STAYED. And SAT WITH THEM. And then tried to insist on driving DD home (we live less than a mile from the theatre, and DD walks further than that to get home from school). DD spent all of 7th grade going to the mall and movies and museums just with friends, no adults.

DD hasn't wanted to have anything to do with this girl outside of school since. She flat out said to me "If F's mom texts you about anything else, please say no. It doesn't matter what it is." Don't be that mom.

I can not imagine why you are sharing this story in a proud way? Your daughter does not sound like a kind, accepting girl.

I had the same thought.

Me too. It is clear where the daughter gets it.

[Anonymous]

My 8th grader absolutely went to the movies with friends without parents. They went to lunch, movies, and mall.

They took the metro too and (gasp) went the wrong way once.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My 8th grader absolutely went to the movies with friends without parents. They went to lunch, movies, and mall.

They took the metro too and (gasp) went the wrong way once.

Most kids are turning 14 in 8th grade - that makes a difference.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Seriously? I definitely went to movies alone at that age

Don't make her be the dork whose mom Chaperones. No one will want to invite her next time

This past summer, right before 8th grade started, a mom of a girl at DD's school texted me to ask if DD wanted to go see a movie with her DD. I replied, "I don't know if DD's free - I'll text her and get back to you." I texted DD who had nothing else to do so agreed, and I told the mom DD would meet her DD there. She assured me she would drive DD home afterwards. I said, "Oh that's okay - it's still light out, so DD can walk home."

I got home from work and asked DD how the movie was. She said the mom STAYED. And SAT WITH THEM. And then tried to insist on driving DD home (we live less than a mile from the theatre, and DD walks further than that to get home from school). DD spent all of 7th grade going to the mall and movies and museums just with friends, no adults.

DD hasn't wanted to have anything to do with this girl outside of school since. She flat out said to me "If F's mom texts you about anything else, please say no. It doesn't matter what it is." Don't be that mom.

PP,

Your DD isn't very nice. Did she like the girl's company? Do you think perhaps the girl wanted her mom to stay? Why wouldn't your DD invite the girl to go to the movies with her? That way they can see the movie by themselves. It seems like she is punishing the girl without knowing the whole situation.

Personally, I think it is nice to once in a while go to the movies with your teens and their friends. Not all the time but, once in a while. I treat for dinner and snacks at the movies. There are many ways to live life, pp and your dd is being unnecessarily mean.

I do think the girl should have contacted your DD as parents shouldn't make these types of plans but, that is another story.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My kid does all the time, but we just moved over from Europe last summer and kids over there are more independent than American kids. I'm still adjusting to the lack of responsibility kids here have.

Oh yes, everything is better in Europe.

[Anonymous]

Our 12 year old daughters and their friends go to movies, go shopping, etc. with friends unchaperoned all of the time. Unfortunately, we are still usually on the hook for chauffeuring at least one way which is not my idea of fun, but I think its important at this age for them to do things alone and learn how to be independent. They have to to take public transportation to and from school so I think they can handle a movie alone!

[Anonymous]

OP here to report back. Turned out to be a great night. I got to meet kids I didn't know and their parents. Even though it was co-ed they self-selected to stay separate any way . I sat in the very last row of stadium seating to I could see everything, monitor if anyone tried to leave the theater during the movie and even occasionally stand to make sure every thing was okay. One kid said to me "I can't believe you volunteered to chaperone us!" But it was genuinely fun and the kids definally needed an adult to gently remind them to use good judgement.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here to report back. Turned out to be a great night. I got to meet kids I didn't know and their parents. Even though it was co-ed they self-selected to stay separate any way . I sat in the very last row of stadium seating to I could see everything, monitor if anyone tried to leave the theater during the movie and even occasionally stand to make sure every thing was okay. One kid said to me "I can't believe you volunteered to chaperone us!" But it was genuinely fun and the kids definally needed an adult to gently remind them to use good judgement.

Glad it all went well OP!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here to report back. Turned out to be a great night. I got to meet kids I didn't know and their parents. Even though it was co-ed they self-selected to stay separate any way . I sat in the very last row of stadium seating to I could see everything, monitor if anyone tried to leave the theater during the movie and even occasionally stand to make sure every thing was okay. One kid said to me "I can't believe you volunteered to chaperone us!" But it was genuinely fun and the kids definally needed an adult to gently remind them to use good judgement.

Glad it all went well OP!

+1

You are a great parent, OP. I can't understand all the hate spewed above.

[Anonymous]

I'm glad it went well op. It sounds fun. I did things like that for my teen DD when she was that age.

Another thing I've done is go see a different movie with similar start and end times while they watch their movie. That way I'm in the building, but I feel less like I'm hovering. I usually pop in once or twice to check on them. We do that often as a family now (DH and I go see one movie, and the teen & tween go see the one they want) or with my 11yo and her friend.