Teenage Crush! How can we help our children deal with it?
Medha Kedar Tonapi,
‘Health in your Mind’
Psychologist | Life Coach | Parent Coach |
Mindset Architect
Movies are a welcome break. Ask infants and children below the age of 6 years if they feel the same! With an increasing number of cinema halls, malls in the city, it is now much easier to watch a movie. Being a parent to a newborn or a young child means some sacrifices have to be made and going to a movie theatre is one of them. Being a responsible parent is to put the safety and well-being of the baby above everything else. Going to the movie theatre with small kids should be put on hold for 5 - 6 years.
In my previous articles I have mentioned that a movie outing can help a parent child bonding in many ways. While in this article I am highlighting the harshness of talking a young child (below the age of 6 years) to a movie theatre. Quite often in movie theatres I have seen couples with their infants or toddlers at the cinema halls and wonder what are these parents trying to do. Neither they nor others in the movie hall are able to enjoy the movie being played! Recently I was at a mall to watch a latest movie. There were at least 10 parents with children less than 6 years of age. Close to 5% of the people in the movie mall were parents with children below the age of 6 years. Have you ever wondered what the child is going through the movie? Have you ever thought what the child might be experiencing? We might have seen children misbehaving at a mall. Have you ever wondered why the child ill is behaved? We have usually got out the situation labeling the child as stubborn, cranky or ever disturbing. Have you ever seen a mall or a movie theatre from a child’s point of view? What might be his thoughts or feelings when out at a new atmosphere? Does he feel comfortable? For a child his comfort zone is his home, his parents’ arms, his grandparents company, his play home. Movie theatres can wait for a few years.
Here are a few things that need to be highlighted to parents of young children before they take their child to a movie theatre:
Assuming that the baby will sleep through the movie is a misperception. The high decibel noise from the speakers and the light from the movie screen can scare the child and cause significant damage to the baby during its early development stages. The decibel levels in the theatre are extremely high to damage tender eardrums. Movie theatres have around 110 to 115-decibel levels whereas 60 to 70 is a usual conversation decibel level. Just have a thought what is it that you are exposing the child to.
Parents need to emphasize that they would be putting their baby’s health at risk as the atmosphere inside the theatre is full of germs (many people cough or sneeze at a cinema hall) exposing them to infections when their immunity is yet to be built. The AC is in full swing, inside the theatre which usually is not suitable for the Child.
Also be aware of what food are you offering your child when at the cinema hall. Due to security reasons, many malls do not permit food or water to be carried in the cinema hall. If you intend to feed the child with the things available at the food counters please be cautious with what are you offering your child.
Usually, it has been noticed that; children often cry in a movie theaters. Then either of the parents will have to accompany the baby out of the theatre and will disturb the whole pleasure of watching the movie and the whole purpose of going to the cinema for entertainment is defeated.
Others in the cinema mall are also disturbed and some people don't mind expressing their displeasure and hence a situation of embarrassment is created.
It's good to enjoy movies at home when your child is young enough. With the technology enhancing we can easily watch a movie at home at our convenience with desirable decibel level. After all parenting is all about keeping the child's requirements at first!
Medha Kedar Tonapi,
‘Health in your Mind’
Psychotherapist, Life Coach,
Parent Coach.