Does a man sitting next to you always have to mean that he's some kind of predator. Maybe he's just lonely and doesn't want to sit by himself. If a women came to sit next to you it wouldn't be a problem would it. It's good to be cautious but seriously, this is getting out of hand.

I've had men sit right next to me several times in very empty theatres. I agree this is a conversation that needs to be had with all kids. Boys too.

And for my tween boy, a reminder to be silent and courteous to other viewers.

Anonymous wrote:I'm ok with my daughter and friend going to the movies, but I drop them off at the front and pick them up. However, her friend's parents aren't ready yet so they end up going with a babysitter each time (who sits at the back of the theater). Knowing my kid, I'm a bit worried she might throw popcorn and get herself thrown out! I've also heard weird stories of men sitting right up next to young girls, even when the rest of the theater is practically empty. This was when parents WERE THERE, so who knows what they would do if the parents weren't there... so you might want to have a little talk about getting up and leaving if they feel at all uncomfortable...

This is a good conversation to have regardless.

Honestly I have had two occasions with a man sitting close in an empty theatre and one time the man was doing something so I had to run out. I would be very careful about movies.

13 was when I was comfortable for my kids

13 if you don't want them to accidentally go to a PG-13 movie, but I'm okay with my kids seeing PG-13 movies even if there not 13.

I'm ok with my daughter and friend going to the movies, but I drop them off at the front and pick them up. However, her friend's parents aren't ready yet so they end up going with a babysitter each time (who sits at the back of the theater). Knowing my kid, I'm a bit worried she might throw popcorn and get herself thrown out! I've also heard weird stories of men sitting right up next to young girls, even when the rest of the theater is practically empty. This was when parents WERE THERE, so who knows what they would do if the parents weren't there... so you might want to have a little talk about getting up and leaving if they feel at all uncomfortable...

It depends on a lot of variables. My DD was allowed to go to movies with friends at 12. This was at Tysons Corner. But, an adult dropped them off/picked them up and stayed at the mall.

When I was 11-13, on the other hand, we were living on a military base, and I had the run of anything in the housing area: PX, theater, O-Club, etc. But, at 13, when we moved and were not on base housing, I lost the freedom.

Thanks!

10 with friends. 12 entirely alone.

9 with friends.

Anonymous wrote:Wondering when your kids started being dropped off at movies. I have a just turned 13 year old and 11 year old. It just occurred to me that they could probably go to the movies without me. Is that right?

Well, you know your own kids, and I don't -- but if they're typical kids, then yes, they're old enough to go to the movies without you.

If you want a practice movie, you could go to an adult movie that's showing at the same time as their movie. You'd still be in the theater building, but at a different screen.

My kids loved going to see movies with friends at that age. I think we started letting them go with friends in middle school, so around 11.

Depends on your kids but that was definitely old enough for mine to get dropped off with friends for a movie.

Wondering when your kids started being dropped off at movies. I have a just turned 13 year old and 11 year old. It just occurred to me that they could probably go to the movies without me. Is that right?