A Regal Cinema in Fort Myers, Florida, recently made headlines when they asked two breastfeeding moms to leave a screening of the film Bad Moms. If you’ve been keeping up with popular movies, you’re likely familiar with the buzz surrounding this comedy.
Moms Sarah Thompson and Emily Johnson were part of a group of friends planning a fun night out that included dinner and a viewing of the much-anticipated film. This group of 50 women had been chatting excitedly online, and 46 of them had already purchased tickets. As they arrived at the theater, Sarah and Emily brought their infants along, expecting a relaxing evening. However, they were met with unexpected pushback when they went to collect their tickets.
“No one had informed us that children under 6 weren’t allowed in R-rated movies,” said Jessica Moore, a member of their group. “We had breastfeeding moms with babies aged 4 weeks and 7 months, and they were denied entry.” Instead, they were suggested to watch Ice Age: Collision Course, which had already started an hour earlier.
While it’s true that Bad Moms is rated R, bringing a baby to an R-rated film shouldn’t label you as a negligent parent. Regal Cinema has a policy that allows children aged 6-17 to attend R-rated movies when accompanied by a parent or guardian. Infants are also permitted at R-rated films, provided they start before 6 p.m. Unfortunately, this particular showing was at 7:45 p.m., which created the confusion.
Sarah expressed her disappointment, wishing the theater would consider the circumstances of young infants. “I understand they have rules, but the age limit should be more flexible. Babies often sleep through movies and if they cry, we know how to manage that,” she said. After being turned away, they decided to slip into Bad Moms after watching a bit of Ice Age, but they were caught and asked to leave again.
The situation escalated as Sarah shared her anxiety about the outing, explaining how nerve-wracking it was to prepare for a night out and then face such humiliation. “They made me feel like a terrible person for wanting to bring my child,” she lamented. Attempts to reason with the theater manager were fruitless, as he reportedly dismissed their offers to sit at the aisle and leave if the babies fussed. He also insisted that Emily cover up while breastfeeding, despite Florida laws allowing public breastfeeding without a cover.
Feeling defeated, the group ultimately opted for a refund and left the theater to enjoy their evening at a nearby Mexican restaurant instead. So much for a fun night out! Kudos to these moms for sticking together and finding a better way to celebrate.
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In summary, two breastfeeding mothers faced unjust treatment at a Regal Cinema when they were barred from an R-rated film screening due to an unclear policy about infant entry. Despite their efforts to enjoy a night out, they were met with disappointment and humiliation but ultimately found a way to salvage their evening with friends.