Quoted:
Being the type that doesn't like kids, it still has to be some pride involved in shepherding the family off for a night on the town.
One of the best childhood joys I had involved me going to the movies with my dad. Always good bonding time.
It is fun, but it usually isn't a "night on the town" for us. My kids are very well-behaved in general, but kids will be kids... and I am one of those rare parents who simply refuses to inflict his children, good or bad, on other adults trying to enjoy a night out. So even with the kiddie movies, we only go to matinees, usually on a weekday if we can swing it, if not we wait until the movie's been out for several weeks –– IOW, we're usually alone or almost so in the theater. We go out to eat together, but usually for lunch to a loud Mexican place, or Chinese buffet, or pizza place, etc. where they won't be a distraction to others even if they're having a bad day.
I decided that was how it would be when we finally had children and I've stuck to it so far...
(Sorry for the mini-hijack!
)