A Regal Cinema in Fort Myers, Florida, recently made headlines after two breastfeeding mothers were asked to leave a showing of the film Bad Moms. New moms Alice Johnson and Mia Rodriguez were part of a Facebook group that organized a night out to enjoy dinner and catch the movie together. Among the group of 50, 46 members had pre-purchased their tickets and were eagerly discussing their excitement online. The atmosphere was filled with anticipation, but their experience quickly took a turn for the worse.
Both Johnson and Rodriguez, who breastfeed, brought their infants along to the theater. However, upon arriving to pick up their tickets, they were informed that their babies could not enter the screening. “No one told us that children under six weren’t allowed in R-rated films,” said Emma Clark, another group member. “We had moms with infants, ages four weeks and seven months, and they were denied entry.” Instead, they were directed to watch Ice Age: Collision Course, which had already started an hour earlier.
While Bad Moms does carry an R rating, bringing infants to R-rated films does not classify one as a “bad mom.” In fact, Regal Cinemas typically allows children aged six and up to attend R-rated movies when accompanied by a parent or guardian. Infants are also generally permitted as long as the film starts before 6 p.m. This particular showing began at 7:45 p.m., which was the root of the issue.
Johnson expressed her disappointment, suggesting that theaters should exercise a bit of common sense regarding very young infants. “I understand they have rules, but the age limit should be more flexible. Babies often sleep quietly, and we know how to manage any potential noise,” she stated.
Despite their attempts to comply, Johnson and Rodriguez decided to enter Bad Moms after initially sitting through Ice Age. However, their plan was thwarted when the theater manager caught them and instructed them to leave. “I felt so anxious about taking my baby out for the evening, and then to be humiliated like that was awful,” Johnson lamented.
The group attempted to reason with the manager, who reportedly remained dismissive even when the mothers offered to sit at the aisle and leave if their babies made any sounds. Additionally, there were claims that the manager requested Rodriguez cover up while breastfeeding, despite public breastfeeding being legal in Florida.
Feeling frustrated and disheartened, the group ultimately decided to leave after the manager agreed to refund their tickets. They relocated to a nearby Mexican restaurant for the evening instead.
This incident serves as a reminder of the challenges many breastfeeding mothers face in public spaces. Kudos to these moms for supporting each other during a tough situation. If you’re interested in exploring home insemination options, check out this article for more insights. For more on the topic, visit Heart to Heart. Lastly, for those looking for reliable information on insemination methods, Healthline offers comprehensive resources.
Summary
In a troubling incident at a Regal Cinema, two breastfeeding mothers were removed from a screening of Bad Moms due to the theater’s policy regarding infants in R-rated films. Despite their attempts to comply with theater regulations, the situation highlighted the challenges faced by breastfeeding moms in public. The group ultimately chose to leave and continue their evening elsewhere, demonstrating the importance of community support.