Am I irresponsible or is she paranoid?

Question

I am a divorced man.  My son turns nine years old today.  As a treat, I'm taking him and one of his friends (same age, plus or minus a couple of months) to the cinema.  Mr Peabody and Sherman, if that matters.

My plan was to buy two tickets, escort them in, then leave them to watch the film in peace whilst I waited outside with a cup of tea and a newspaper.  Unfortunately, somebody blabbed.

So I get herself yelling down the phone at me accusing me of being grossly irresponsible.  It is unsafe, she tells me, to leave two boys that age alone in the cinema for ninety minutes, in case they encounter an axe-murderer or something.

My argument - that being free of parental oversight for a bit is at least half the fun - cut no ice.  My other argument - that he was far more likely to encounter a paedophile (yes, she did use that word) walking to or from school (which she lets him do, albeit accompanied by his eleven-year-old brother) than at a random film screening - was also dismissed as irrelevant.

Now I HAVE to buy another ticket and go in with them.  Not that the expense bothers me; but I've sat through enough kids' films in my time, and surely I can stop now?

Am I the one who's crazy, or is she?

morning · Accepted Answer

My opinion is if he walks to school w his 11 yr old brother nd thats "safe" whats wrong w sitting nd watching a movie while ur right outside the door? My thought would more likely be are they going to b sitting somewhere u can pop ur head in nd check. Im a mother of 5. Ages 16-5 mo nd im very protective but giving them a little space is important too. Its more likely that a relative or a neighbor is a pervert unfortunately.  Have fun at the movie lol

? · Answer

To be perfectly honest, though I'm not the best person to answer this, (just came up against this in my network's activity) but it sounds weird. I mean the phone call.

Ok, let's imagine, in wildest of thoughts, there turns up a mad gunner in the movie hall. Will you be able to do anything considerable?

And man, axe-murderer aren't roaming around in cinemas like taxis on a road. And what would they have to do with your son?

I guess you have nothing much to worry about.

And yes, you were being perfectly responsible.

Anonymous · Answer

When I was nine I walked 2km through city alone every day and played unatended a LOT of time around the block not even having a cell phone and so did all the kids around but somehow we all survived... I think they should be fine - you'r ex is being paranoid

Anonymous · Answer

She's crazy. He's in a theater full of other people. You should have told her to drive down and sit with them herself :)

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Am I irresponsible or is she paranoid?

4 Answers