Is it appropriate to let your child kick the seat in front of them on an airplane?

[Anonymous]

There is certainly an age when it is reasonable for a child to be kicking the seat in front of them.

But there is no age when it is reasonable for an adult to let them. Presumably you are not 1 year old. Seriously, if you cannot think of a solution to stop your child from doing this, you need to either make sure you or DH sit in front of your child, or reserve early enough to get a seat without other seats in front of it, or find another way to travel.

ITA!

I mean, come on! do you really have to *ask* if it is ok? Of course it isn't! But there are some cases where kids can be really wiggly and hard to control.

We just flew with our 14 mo old as a lap baby for the first time--he was realatively good, in the grand scheme, but it was like trying to wrestle an octopus. Longest hour of my life! He got a few seat kicks in, at which point I repositioned him so that legs were nowhere near the seat, and reminded him that we don't kick and that people are sitting there. This was more for the sake of the other passenger, really, as DS is so little, but DS got the redirection, and the other traveler knows that I'm not about to sit by and let DS kick him the entire flight.

The key is in the "letting". I'd be really pissed to sit in front of one of those parents who constantly said, "oh, Johnny, don't..." but never followed up on anything. Parent your child.

[Anonymous]

It makes me weep for future generations that this asinine question actually needs to be asked.

[Anonymous]

OP, I understand your question. The last time I flew, I was sitting next to my then-16 month old. He was in his car seat and he did get in a few kicks to the seat in front of him. I tried redirection, I tried snacks, for most of the flight he was sleeping so during that time it wasn't an issue, but there were moments (I forget whether it was at the beginning or end of the flight, or both) when it was all he wanted to do. It sucked, but I held his legs so he couldn't do it. I hate having my seat kicked and I wasn't about to let him do it to someone else. It was a tough age to fly with because he really wasn't old enough to understand *why* what he was doing was wrong. (As opposed to now, he is 3, and he absolutely understands). I pretty much consider flying with young children to be torture, for me, and stuff like having to hold legs down is why. But I try my hardest to make sure that my kids are not bothering others. Unlike crying, kicking is something you can effectively stop, so you should.

[Anonymous]

I can't believe someone is asking this question. This has to be a joke/troll or something. This can't be serious.

[Anonymous]

It is never appropriate, it's really difficult to control, and therefore on my next flight, I'm getting one of those harness things to strap DS to the seat. I wanted to murder him on my last 5-hr flight, and he was sitting next to me. Can't even imagine what the lady in front of us thought.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Wtf is wrong with people? No, it's not ok. Who cares how old your child is or what position the seat makes their legs end up in? The person in front of you paid for a kick-free seat and does not need your kid annoying the shit out of them the whole flight! You don't get to choose how someone else's flight experience will be.

How do we get one of these? I've never been offered this option before, but would gladly pay or a specific kick-free seat. Kindly let us know what airline offers this amazing opportunity.

[Anonymous]

I actually went as far as making up "apology" bags (little baggies with ear plugs, chocolate and gum and a note) for the people sitting around me when I flew for the first time with my kid. Not only did I get huge good will from everyone, but then I got help with my kid, and strangers showing me kid photos. There was no seat kicking, but just in case you know your kid will be terrible (mine is little and I was worried about crying), this might help.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Wtf is wrong with people? No, it's not ok. Who cares how old your child is or what position the seat makes their legs end up in? The person in front of you paid for a kick-free seat and does not need your kid annoying the shit out of them the whole flight! You don't get to choose how someone else's flight experience will be.

How do we get one of these? I've never been offered this option before, but would gladly pay or a specific kick-free seat. Kindly let us know what airline offers this amazing opportunity.

Its inherently provided in paying for the god damn ticket. Im sure that was sarcasm but it was certainly not clever or whitty. Curb your brat.

[Anonymous]

Rule 1: If you recline your seat (other than if you had to because the person in front of you did), you're a jackass. No matter who is behind you. That's just the truth. Airplanes are uncomfortable enough.

Rule 2: Even on a 6 hour flight, I will do everything physically possible to keep my child from kicking the seat in front of him. Absolutely not ok.

Rule 3: If you violate Rule 1 and move your seat 3 inches closer to my kid's feet, then I won't even bother trying to make him stop anymore. Idiot.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Rule 1: If you recline your seat (other than if you had to because the person in front of you did), you're a jackass. No matter who is behind you. That's just the truth. Airplanes are uncomfortable enough.

Rule 2: Even on a 6 hour flight, I will do everything physically possible to keep my child from kicking the seat in front of him. Absolutely not ok.

Rule 3: If you violate Rule 1 and move your seat 3 inches closer to my kid's feet, then I won't even bother trying to make him stop anymore. Idiot.[/quote



HAHAHA! Kinda feel that way! Adults act like brats on airplanes too!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Are there some ages where it is reasonable because of how old the child is, or should you physically be in control of your child at all times?

Sure, when it's your own private jet, or you've bought out the entire plane. In that case, let the kid run wild.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Wtf is wrong with people? No, it's not ok. Who cares how old your child is or what position the seat makes their legs end up in? The person in front of you paid for a kick-free seat and does not need your kid annoying the shit out of them the whole flight! You don't get to choose how someone else's flight experience will be.

How do we get one of these? I've never been offered this option before, but would gladly pay or a specific kick-free seat. Kindly let us know what airline offers this amazing opportunity.

If you really want to be guaranteed a kick free seat, choose one in the last row of the plane.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Rule 1: If you recline your seat (other than if you had to because the person in front of you did), you're a jackass. No matter who is behind you. That's just the truth. Airplanes are uncomfortable enough.

Rule 2: Even on a 6 hour flight, I will do everything physically possible to keep my child from kicking the seat in front of him. Absolutely not ok.

Rule 3: If you violate Rule 1 and move your seat 3 inches closer to my kid's feet, then I won't even bother trying to make him stop anymore. Idiot.

Oooo, I was SO pissed the last time I flew with DD on my lap and the jackass in front of me reclined his seat for the entire 4 hour flight! I get that it's your "right" to recline, but come on. When you see that there's an infant behind you, have a little courtesy. I wish DD had started kicking his seat!

[Anonymous]

Seriously? No! Control your child!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Rule 1: If you recline your seat (other than if you had to because the person in front of you did), you're a jackass. No matter who is behind you. That's just the truth. Airplanes are uncomfortable enough.

Are you seriously this stupid???

I've always got my seat reclined to the maximum extent. Enjoy.