Before you became a parent, going to the movies wasn't a big deal. All you had to do was pick the movie, the theater, and the time. Now that you're a parent, it's not quite so easy, especially if you're the parent of a toddler. Going to the movies with a toddler for the first time can be horrifyingly stressful. If you've been dreading the first trip to the theater to see a movie with your toddler, don't. It's not as scary as it seems, and every parent of a toddler has had to struggle with the same dread. Luckily, with some careful planning, you and your toddler can survive that first trip to the movie theater. Here are three tips that will help you prepare for your toddlers first trip to the movies.
Wait Until They're Ready
Now that you're planning that first movie-going experience for your toddler, make sure they're ready for it. Waiting until your toddler is ready for the experience can be the difference between a successful trip, and one that ends in disaster. To find out if your toddler is ready for the movies, you'll want to answer two key questions. First, can you hold your toddler's attention for at least 45 minutes? And, is your toddler okay in a darkened room?
The answers to those questions will help determine readiness. If your toddler can sit still for about 45 minutes, you know you should be able to get through at least half of a 90-minute movie without a break. If your toddler is fine in a darkened room, they won't be upset by the darkness of the theater. To make sure your toddler is ready for the movies, wait until you can answer "yes" to both those questions.
Pick the Right Movie
When it comes to taking your toddler to the movies for the first time, it's important that you choose the right one. Toddlers love animated movies. Now that summer is about here, you'll have a variety of upcoming animated movies to choose from. If you're not sure which one to see, hop online with your toddler and watch a few trailers to see which one holds their attention. You can also call the theater near you, and ask which movies are the favorites among the young family crowd.
Reserve Your Seats
When you take your toddler to the movies for the first time, try to choose a theater that offers reserve seating. By reserving your seats in advance, you won't have to go into the theater until the actual movie starts. That means you'll avoid the trailers, which means your toddler will only need to sit still through the actual running time of the movie itself. It's also important to remember that your toddler may be startled by the loudness of the trailers, which could result in a melt-down before the movie even starts.
If you're planning your toddlers first trip to the movies, use the tips provided here to help make it a pleasant experience for them – and for you. For more information, contact a company like Rotoscopers.