31 Responses to “At What Age Would You Let Your Child Enter The Cinema With A Friend And No Adult Supervision?”

1. Starshin Says:
   十二月 19th, 2009 at 05:20

   I don’t think you are being over protective at all. I would consider nine too young to be in the cinema with no adult supervision.
   It would depend on where the cinema was; the other kids going, etc., as to the age at which I would let a child go without an adult. We live in a quiet market town with a small cinema and I let my daughter go with a couple of friends and no adult when she was 11 years old.
   Why don’t you suggest accompanying the children yourself? You could always sit a couple of rows behind them so they feel more grown up!

2. True Brit Says:
   十二月 19th, 2009 at 09:33

   If it is just the two of them, okay. If it is a whole group – no. Kids show off when they are in a pack and can disrupt the movie for everyone else.
   I would make sure your son knows the rules – I was groped in a cinema by a man who delibertely came and sat next to me. So tell him what to do if he feels uncomfortable ie to go and look for the mum.
   Also, I never let my kids go to the loo during the movie – they go before and afterwards. I just think the toilets are an open invitation – they’re lonely and quiet during the movie.
   Other than that, what is your child like? And his friend?
   They might behave beautifully – I’d try it out but talk it through with your son.

3. aquaria@ Says:
   十二月 19th, 2009 at 13:36

   You’re not being overprotective. That’s a bit young to go to a movie alone.
   My mom used to drop us off at the movies with my younger brothers when I was 10. It was very uncomfortable for me. I was really too young to handle that. Even with a cell phone… Sorry, but kids won’t always call when they need to, especially if they’re scared or panicky. They’re also horribly inclined to lose things, like cell phones. Or a thief or pervert can easily snatch a cell phone out of a 9-year-old’s hands.
   I like the suggestion of your taking them, and sitting a few rows away. Close enough for you to be near if something goes wrong, but far enough that they can feel like they’re doing their own thing.
   I would also be very careful in the future of accepting any invitations from the friend. I’m not sure I would trust the mother to supervise them adequately.

4. Lila Says:
   十二月 19th, 2009 at 18:55

   If the other mother has promised to be outside I would allow it. They are just kids not anywhere near the age of anything serious. They will be chaperoned she just won’t be sitting next to them. If it was a a birthday party you can’t keep up with the kids in other rooms. This sounds very innocent and the other mother sounds like a pretty good mother to me. I’d let them go.

5. Aurora Says:
   十二月 19th, 2009 at 23:22

   I would look at it from his point of view.
   Will he cope with being in a dark cinema without a parent?
   Will he be okay with strange people around him.
   Will he be confident enough to ask an adult for help in the very unlikely chance he may need to.
   If you know he will then let him go, There always has to be first time and 9/10 is not too young to look after himself if he is capable.
   It all depends on the individual child. Also do what Haz says about going to the toilet and give him clear rules. Then he will be fine and enjoy his freedom and feeling of self reliance.
   Edit.
   All good mums are over protective, it is something that never leaves you.
   Wait until he gets a driving licence. : –D

6. stormy Says:
   十二月 20th, 2009 at 01:46

   This happened to me 2 weeks ago, a mother asked if she could take my daughter with hers to the same sort of multi plex thing.
   I said yes ~ it was only when my daughter returned I realised the mum went shopping at the retail park while the film was on.
   The girl did have a phone and the mum WAS only 5 mins away but still I was pretty “eek” about it.
   Anyway it went ok and they are 10 so similar age. I may consider it again as they will be in high school in September and need to practice these kids of things.

7. *QuietSe Says:
   十二月 20th, 2009 at 06:43

   Well, yes, slightly you are. You said the other mum was going to wait outside the cinema, so what’s the harm? All they do is walk in, sit down, watch a film, walk out and meet the mother. Nothing would happen. As long as the film is appropriate for their age. As long as the mother is near by everything should be fine. My mum always came with me till I turned 13, when she allowed me to go out on my own with a group of 2 or more friends. You should let your child have some independence. They can’t rely on other people forever.

8. Haz Says:
   十二月 20th, 2009 at 07:29

   Mine was 10. Similar set of circumstances. I was the toilet issue that bothered me. I made sure they went together whether the other needed to go or not.
   When you think about it it’s a pretty safe place. There are lots of conspicuous adult staff that are easily identifiable and stuff. There is more chance of the kids being the pains in the arses rather than anything untoward happening. Are they 9 nearly 10? If they are I’d say yes but not just turned 9 from 8 :-S.
   Another thing if you don’t let him he will hate you for the rest of life and bring it up even when you are 90

9. Jayc Says:
   十二月 20th, 2009 at 11:13

   My little girl is 10 and just since Christmas i have let her go.She was given one chance and told that if she or her friend left the cinema they would never go back.I think it depends on the child.Do you think your little boy would be uncomfortable without an adult there?More importantly r him and his friend trustworthy and streetwise enough to be safe?Sad fact of life-they dont stay babies very long unfortunately.Good Luck x

10. ♥Paddy 4ever♥ Says:
    十二月 20th, 2009 at 17:52

    My daughter was 12 years old before I felt she was old enough.
    trouble is any younger and they could be prone to mess about. I hate going to watch a film with a group of youngsters messing around, talking,phones going off etc. When they are younger they don’t think about any consequences.
    Only you know your son, but I think you are right to be cautious

11. ♥ Esmé Adelaide Jane's mummy Says:
    十二月 20th, 2009 at 22:32

    13. That’s when my 14 year old daughter first went with some of her friends without me or her father. But don’t worry, you’re not over protective, just a good parent. When my daughter first went alone with her friends, I insited on dropping her off, picking her up and making sure she rang me when the film finished, so I could come and pick her up. But it depends if it is an evening movie or not.
    If it is day time, and she is with her friends, she walks in with her her friends. If it was dark, I would make sure I took her to and from the cinema. Otherwise, she could walk, unless she wanted a lift.
    My youngest daughter is 11, and I still don’t like her going places alone, so normally if she wants to go to the cinema or shopping with a friend, she either goes with me and her friends, or her friend and their parents.

12. rascws55 Says:
    十二月 21st, 2009 at 05:02

    I personally think 9 is much too young an age. I have a 15 year-old, a 14- year old, a 13-year old and an eleven year old. I only let my eleven year old son go when the 14 and 15 year olds are going as well.
    My parents let me go at the age of 11.

13. Emma-xo Says:
    十二月 21st, 2009 at 11:09

    Definitely.
    I’ve been going to the cinema alone with friends since I was 8!
    It’s not as if they are out roaming the streets, you know where they are and they’re safe. If they need to contact someone, they have the other boys mum’s number.

14. Amber Says:
    十二月 21st, 2009 at 15:03

    I think 9 is too young. I think 11 or 12 is a good age. You don’t have to let him go regardless if there is another mom there, especially if you are uncomfortable with the idea!

15. Darth Revan Says:
    十二月 21st, 2009 at 21:08

    i have but the theater is in the mall in the city we live in so i just hang around the mall intel there movie is over

16. [karleyy.] [˙ʎʎǝlɹɐʞ] Says:
    十二月 22nd, 2009 at 02:17

    I would say that a good age would be 11 or 12, but I don’t know about nine. I think you have every right to be a little overprotective.

17. Allie Says:
    十二月 22nd, 2009 at 08:37

    My daughter is 12 , she just started going. She goes with her phone and must come out as soon as the movie ends and call me.

18. 2minimee Says:
    十二月 22nd, 2009 at 14:53

    Not at age 9 I wouldn’t! That’s crazy if you ask me. I think letting a 14yr old go alone to see a rated G movie would be appropriate. Or some rated pg13. this mom was nuts.

19. JamieLeelove^^ :D Says:
    十二月 22nd, 2009 at 21:23

    they are a Little young but its ok i think that there at a good responsible age. Since it just one movie i would let your son go . especial;y if hes with a friend.

20. Smoochy Poochy Says:
    十二月 22nd, 2009 at 21:46

    9 is too young, anyone could snatch them in the mall/cinema. Wait until they’re older and look less like easy targets.

21. debs Says:
    十二月 23rd, 2009 at 01:43

    if you arent comfortable dont do it i wouldnt say you are overprotective just a normal mother

22. JD Says:
    十二月 23rd, 2009 at 08:34

    I went for the first time alone when I was either 12 or 13.

23. Blunt Says:
    十二月 23rd, 2009 at 15:31

    12 with cellphone and parental pick up and drop off

24. alwew3ap Says:
    十二月 23rd, 2009 at 16:19

    13 or 14

25. Horse Up Says:
    十二月 23rd, 2009 at 17:54

    13

26. Not a sweetie Says:
    十二月 23rd, 2009 at 23:11

    14

27. laplandf Says:
    十二月 24th, 2009 at 04:15

    14
    9 is way too young Don;t do it. You sound like a normal protective , responsible parent.

28. Baby is finally here!! Says:
    十二月 24th, 2009 at 06:24

    Not at 9 years old I wouldnt. Maybe if they were around 12-13 I would consider it. But 9 is WAY to young!

29. Lydia Says:
    十二月 24th, 2009 at 06:26

    14
    NO WAY for nine years olds. If she isn’t going, you go.

30. Daisyhil Says:
    十二月 24th, 2009 at 12:32

    twelve at a push….and I would give my own child a mobile too.

31. Ms. S Says:
    十二月 24th, 2009 at 12:53

    I think I left my fella go with his friends age 12..

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