Sooo am I just the best parent ever or are the others complete duds?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP is being smug and maybe trolling, but it's also secretly judge the parents who rely 100% on iPads for travel. I have also noticed the families where each person has their device and they all just stare at their personal screen for the duration of the trip. I think it's lazy parenting and wonder if that's what their families are like at home too. I am glad my kid can get through a flight, even an international one, without an ipad. I guess I'm smug too.

Do you also judge adults flying alone who are using devices? Should everyone have a hardcover novel or a writing pad to keep them entertained? My family interacts plenty at home, we don't need to interact during a long flight where it's loud and uncomfortable.

PP here and yes -- it's actually the parents being buried in their iphone or tablet for the duration of the flight and not interacting with their kids at all that I think is bad because it sets a poor example and I do assume they are like that all the time. And it's not that I think devices are always bad -- I don't care if people use devices on planes or elsewhere. I'm talking about the families where everyone has a personal device and just interacts with that and not at all with each other. I think it's weird especially with very young kids. But even with tweens and teens I think it's healthier and more normal to have a mix and to (1) actually talk to your kids some and (2) encourage them to do more than just play games or watch content.

I know I'm being judgmental. It's not like I'm going to do anything about it. I just generally think we are pretty screen addicted as a society and that's not great and I do notice when a family is completely focused on separate screens and not interacting and yes I judge. Sue me.

Well your assumption is wrong. We don't allow devices at table (whether we're eating at home or out) and never have. We don't allow access to screens all the time, only for specific periods. The last time I was on my iPad was for a flight. But when we get on a plane, my kids each have an iPad and so do my husband and I. We also all have Kindles or books as well but you might walk past the four of us while we're all enjoying our devices at the same time during that four-hour flight. And then when we land and get to where we're going, the devices are gone. It's actually shocking to me that you're so small-minded that you think a snapshot of what you see on an airplane is indicative of how everyone lives their lives. How sad to be so judgmental and so stupid.

This. Pretty much the only time we use the Ipad is on international or cross country flights. My kid maybe watches a movie a month at home.

[Anonymous]

I am so impressed with you!!! Wowza!!! I am sending you five dozen cookies in the mail today. What flavor do you want?

[Anonymous]

You were lucky that that one flight went well. Congratulations. Next time, someone may have an ear ache or tummy ache or a bad mood.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Planes are not the time for conversation! If you and your spouse fly together someplace are you chatting? No! You’re watching Netflix or plane entertainment.

Yes I chat with my spouse on the plane all the time. We also read and watch movies. Do you think everyone is supposed to be silent the entire time on a plane?

No, my point is that most adults (regardless of kid status) spend their time on planes watching movies. So why are we expecting 3 year olds to do anything different! It’s ok!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Planes are not the time for conversation! If you and your spouse fly together someplace are you chatting? No! You’re watching Netflix or plane entertainment.

Yes I chat with my spouse on the plane all the time. We also read and watch movies. Do you think everyone is supposed to be silent the entire time on a plane?

NP. As quiet as possible, yes. You might need to have a hushed conversation with someone, but unnecessary talking is rude. No one wants to hear your conversation, people are trying to read, trying to sleep, and you're jabbering away like a monkey. It's loathsome.

THIS! I hate plane talkers. I bet PP is one of those people who talks to strangers on planes too.

I love a good airport bar chat and am hardly antisocial, but once on the plane, STFU.

Get headphones. No one wants to talk to you but you can't keep them from talking to each other. Planes are not your personal space.

Some of you are very delicate little flowers.

You are correct, I can't keep people from being rude on planes, but they should at least know they are being rude. 95% of people on planes are quiet. OP took that as congratulating herself for not using screens, when I guarantee all those other people wishes the kid was watching a movie quietly instead of reading aloud and parading up and down the aisle. So annoying.

[Anonymous]

If you travel a lot, you know that most people now bring a kindle or an iPad to read. I guess in your 5 minutes of parenting OP you don't realize that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Was on a 3-hour flight. Packed books, toys, cards and travel games to engage our preschooler and elementary schooler. Spent the rest of the time talking, reading quietly together, closing our eyes. Walked down the aisle a few times for bathroom trips, and each time, every single other family - kid on iPad, parent scrolling X or Instagram on their phone.

What gives?

(Ready for flames for being holier-than-thou, but seriously, what gives? Travel time is great for talking and engaging)

If you are walking down the aisle 3 or so times during a 3 hour flight with young kids YOU are the annoying one.

I hate people who walk around. I hate hearing parents talk to their kids the whole flight. They absolutely are the annoying ones. I don’t want to hear you or your kid. Kids staring at you and bumping you also very annoying.

I don’t mind babies.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Was on a 3-hour flight. Packed books, toys, cards and travel games to engage our preschooler and elementary schooler. Spent the rest of the time talking, reading quietly together, closing our eyes. Walked down the aisle a few times for bathroom trips, and each time, every single other family - kid on iPad, parent scrolling X or Instagram on their phone.

What gives?

(Ready for flames for being holier-than-thou, but seriously, what gives? Travel time is great for talking and engaging)

If you are walking down the aisle 3 or so times during a 3 hour flight with young kids YOU are the annoying one.

I hate people who walk around. I hate hearing parents talk to their kids the whole flight. They absolutely are the annoying ones. I don’t want to hear you or your kid. Kids staring at you and bumping you also very annoying.

I don’t mind babies.

+1

[Anonymous]

Poor OP - thinking everyone would praise her parenting.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Was on a 3-hour flight. Packed books, toys, cards and travel games to engage our preschooler and elementary schooler. Spent the rest of the time talking, reading quietly together, closing our eyes. Walked down the aisle a few times for bathroom trips, and each time, every single other family - kid on iPad, parent scrolling X or Instagram on their phone.

What gives?

(Ready for flames for being holier-than-thou, but seriously, what gives? Travel time is great for talking and engaging)

If you are walking down the aisle 3 or so times during a 3 hour flight with young kids YOU are the annoying one.

I hate people who walk around. I hate hearing parents talk to their kids the whole flight. They absolutely are the annoying ones. I don’t want to hear you or your kid. Kids staring at you and bumping you also very annoying.

I don’t mind babies.

+1

+2 the walk arounders on a plane are annoying especially on those smaller planes you take on the ~3 hour or less flights. Just sit unless you need to go to the bathroom.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Was on a 3-hour flight. Packed books, toys, cards and travel games to engage our preschooler and elementary schooler. Spent the rest of the time talking, reading quietly together, closing our eyes. Walked down the aisle a few times for bathroom trips, and each time, every single other family - kid on iPad, parent scrolling X or Instagram on their phone.

What gives?

(Ready for flames for being holier-than-thou, but seriously, what gives? Travel time is great for talking and engaging)

If you are walking down the aisle 3 or so times during a 3 hour flight with young kids YOU are the annoying one.

I hate people who walk around. I hate hearing parents talk to their kids the whole flight. They absolutely are the annoying ones. I don’t want to hear you or your kid. Kids staring at you and bumping you also very annoying.

I don’t mind babies.

I was on a flight to California and a mom was bouncing her toddler (probably not 2 yet) in the aisle because the kid was overtired and cried otherwise. So I'll give that mom props for trying.

Elementary kids, though, way too old to need aisle walking.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Poor OP - thinking everyone would praise her parenting.

There are people here who post things that are so obviously going to get them yelled at that I have to assume it's a kink.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Poor OP - thinking everyone would praise her parenting.

There are people here who post things that are so obviously going to get them yelled at that I have to assume it's a kink.

HA! 100% agree

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Was on a 3-hour flight. Packed books, toys, cards and travel games to engage our preschooler and elementary schooler. Spent the rest of the time talking, reading quietly together, closing our eyes. Walked down the aisle a few times for bathroom trips, and each time, every single other family - kid on iPad, parent scrolling X or Instagram on their phone.

What gives?

(Ready for flames for being holier-than-thou, but seriously, what gives? Travel time is great for talking and engaging)

If you are walking down the aisle 3 or so times during a 3 hour flight with young kids YOU are the annoying one.

I hate people who walk around. I hate hearing parents talk to their kids the whole flight. They absolutely are the annoying ones. I don’t want to hear you or your kid. Kids staring at you and bumping you also very annoying.

I don’t mind babies.

+1

+2 the walk arounders on a plane are annoying especially on those smaller planes you take on the ~3 hour or less flights. Just sit unless you need to go to the bathroom.

Yes, especially since it would be soooo easy for the preschool or elementary kid to sit quietly watching a movie. Let the kid watch some paw patrol like everyone else and get rid of the holier than thou attitude.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Was on a 3-hour flight. Packed books, toys, cards and travel games to engage our preschooler and elementary schooler. Spent the rest of the time talking, reading quietly together, closing our eyes. Walked down the aisle a few times for bathroom trips, and each time, every single other family - kid on iPad, parent scrolling X or Instagram on their phone.

What gives?

(Ready for flames for being holier-than-thou, but seriously, what gives? Travel time is great for talking and engaging)

If you are walking down the aisle 3 or so times during a 3 hour flight with young kids YOU are the annoying one.

I hate people who walk around. I hate hearing parents talk to their kids the whole flight. They absolutely are the annoying ones. I don’t want to hear you or your kid. Kids staring at you and bumping you also very annoying.

I don’t mind babies.

I was on a flight to California and a mom was bouncing her toddler (probably not 2 yet) in the aisle because the kid was overtired and cried otherwise. So I'll give that mom props for trying.

Elementary kids, though, way too old to need aisle walking.

Yeah - if you have a baby or a lap kid, I get it. But walking a 3rd grader around the plane 3x in 3 hours is weird. I assume that these are the parents who still put their kids in pull-ups.