Flying with screaming kids

[Anonymous]

I once let my daughter pop bubbles (you know, the bubble wrap that comes in some packaging) on an airplane ride. The woman in front of me was livid. She had 2 kids of her own, but she turned around and said "I think that's enough now!" I said to the woman, "you really need to lighten up" -- she was shocked that I said anything to her, but did not respond. I truly think people need to lighten up and not sweat the small stuff. 8)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I once let my daughter pop bubbles (you know, the bubble wrap that comes in some packaging) on an airplane ride. The woman in front of me was livid. She had 2 kids of her own, but she turned around and said "I think that's enough now!" I said to the woman, "you really need to lighten up" -- she was shocked that I said anything to her, but did not respond. I truly think people need to lighten up and not sweat the small stuff. 8)

I hope you are kidding. She didn't respond to you because she had already identified you as one of those parents who think everything has to revolve around their kids and realized it wasn't worth the effort.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I once let my daughter pop bubbles (you know, the bubble wrap that comes in some packaging) on an airplane ride. The woman in front of me was livid. She had 2 kids of her own, but she turned around and said "I think that's enough now!" I said to the woman, "you really need to lighten up" -- she was shocked that I said anything to her, but did not respond. I truly think people need to lighten up and not sweat the small stuff. 8)

Wow! I can't believe that woman had the nerve to be annoyed at hearing potentially hundreds of loud pops going off behind her seat! Did it occur to you that she may have been trying to keep her own kids settled and your child was disturbing them as well. No wait, I forgot, nothing matters but your child's happiness.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I once let my daughter pop bubbles (you know, the bubble wrap that comes in some packaging) on an airplane ride. The woman in front of me was livid. She had 2 kids of her own, but she turned around and said "I think that's enough now!" I said to the woman, "you really need to lighten up" -- she was shocked that I said anything to her, but did not respond. I truly think people need to lighten up and not sweat the small stuff. 8)

This is the type of behavior that makes other parents look bad. Why do you think it's okay to let you kids play with noisy bubble wrap when the passengers around hear it and cannot escape. After a certain period of time, it can be like nails on a chalk board for many people.

I remember reading advice that if you travel with children and bring DVD players, etc to bring headphones. I thought it was a joke -- who would think it's okay to play that stuff. I guess there is a reason to say things like that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I once let my daughter pop bubbles (you know, the bubble wrap that comes in some packaging) on an airplane ride. The woman in front of me was livid. She had 2 kids of her own, but she turned around and said "I think that's enough now!" I said to the woman, "you really need to lighten up" -- she was shocked that I said anything to her, but did not respond. I truly think people need to lighten up and not sweat the small stuff. 8)

Did you really? That's totally inappropriate on a plane.

[Anonymous]

As a person who is a very anxious flyer to begin with, I like for my ride to be as smooth as possible. I hate the screaming but that's normal kid behavior and also possible ear difficulties with altitude chqnges. I get them too. I draw the line at having my personal space invaded. Last year, we were flying to Puerto Vallarta and the child in the seat behind me was playing with my hair! I had just happened to leave it down when we flew out and I have curly hair that tangles really easily. The kid looked like she was about 4. I turned around in my seat to say something to the mom, but the mom looked at me like I had mass murdered a humane society. After that, I just tried to keep my hair out of reach! Should a person have to deal with that>

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:As a person who is a very anxious flyer to begin with, I like for my ride to be as smooth as possible. I hate the screaming but that's normal kid behavior and also possible ear difficulties with altitude chqnges. I get them too. I draw the line at having my personal space invaded. Last year, we were flying to Puerto Vallarta and the child in the seat behind me was playing with my hair! I had just happened to leave it down when we flew out and I have curly hair that tangles really easily. The kid looked like she was about 4. I turned around in my seat to say something to the mom, but the mom looked at me like I had mass murdered a humane society. After that, I just tried to keep my hair out of reach! Should a person have to deal with that>

Agreed, that's pretty awful. But maybe the look on the mom's face was shear desperation over her child's behavior in the first place and not really directed at you.

[Anonymous]

I don't think an airplane is the place to try to teach a stupid, clueless mother how to be smart.

Has anyone tried to ask the flight attendants for help? Are there any guidelines for this behavior short of landing and kicking disruptive people off the plane?