Flying with screaming kids

[Anonymous]

My husband and I have finished raising 3 children and are now enjoying our new found freedom. On both long and short flights we frequently see a mom with an infant on her lap and a toddler who is "making friends" with those around. I sense there is an attitude among parents that is, "What do you want us to do, stay home". I am thinking, "Get your kid out of my face and make that baby stop screaming". I would like some advise as to how younger moms think the other people on the plane should handle this situation.

[Anonymous]

I think you should buy first class tickets if you don't want to travel with the hoi polloi.

[Anonymous]

This is a fake post, and you are a troll trying to stir something up. Specifically, a debate about babies on planes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is a fake post, and you are a troll trying to stir something up. Specifically, a debate about babies on planes.

Or....just a really horrible parent.

[Anonymous]

I agree with OP, a screaming baby in a plane is horrible.

[Anonymous]

OP here. I think I got my answer.

[Anonymous]

Fake post, fake post, fake post.

[Anonymous]

I have experienced the same thing. There are so many different parenting styles that many parents seem to have just given up and let their children run wild (is there a book on this style yet?). As a bystander the best method of dealing with this is to have headphones at the ready, because, parents just can't control their children. You see them waving toys, cookies, sodas, french fries, shushing, everything they can think of and it just doesn't work. At least some parents have resorted to dosing their children with Benadryl prior to take off.

I don't have a solution but I can sympathize. And don't think first class means you won't run into this. It just means that the children you encounter will be even worse because their parents will most likely be plugged in to their ipods or zoned into their work, ignoring their children while they whine, cry, run around first class, annoying everyone. And when you give 'the look' the parents just smile and say 'their just being kids'. More like baboons! Cage the animals parents!

Okay, but seriously, if you have the patience, carry stickers and small trinkets in your purse that can be dispensed in an emergency. Yes, parents with screaming children will allow them to take items from strangers if it means their child will stop screaming. They're most likely at their wits end. If the child is outgoing, talk to the child, even if it's a toddler. May work, may not, but at the very least the parent will be absolutely certain their child is causing a disruption and you'll be satisfied knowing you got your point across, right? Isn't that the goal? To let the parents know how much they are inconveniencing you?

[Anonymous]

This is bullshit

[Anonymous]

I don't care if this is a sockpuppet thread or not; it's still not worthy of a response or even an interesting battle. Kids are kids. Yours may be very well-behaved but still act like maniacs when you most want them to behave. It happens because children are not tiny robots. OP, if you really feel this way about the people you encounter, I think you should consider valium anytime you might be rubbing elbows with other human beings. It might help take the edge off of things a little bit.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don't care if this is a sockpuppet thread or not; it's still not worthy of a response or even an interesting battle. Kids are kids. Yours may be very well-behaved but still act like maniacs when you most want them to behave. It happens because children are not tiny robots. OP, if you really feel this way about the people you encounter, I think you should consider valium anytime you might be rubbing elbows with other human beings. It might help take the edge off of things a little bit.

She obviously doesn't understand what's developmentally and physically appropriate for various-aged children. That's why I feel sorry for "her" kids.

[Anonymous]

If you've "finished raising 3 children and are now enjoying our new found freedom" then why are you on DCUM?

Anyway, I just want to turn the question around because I have to travel half way around the world with a 3 and 5 year old soon and I'm a nervous wreck about it. My youngest has never even seen my family (and the older one doesn't remember), so I just have to do it ... no question.

So ... what would you like me to do, fellow passengers? Just look like I'm making an effort? Some things may be beyond my control. My youngest will only just be 3 and has occasional tantrums. I have DVD players but they can't watch that for 25 hours ... No point offering drinks because they're free anyway! Apologize in advance?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you've "finished raising 3 children and are now enjoying our new found freedom" then why are you on DCUM?

Anyway, I just want to turn the question around because I have to travel half way around the world with a 3 and 5 year old soon and I'm a nervous wreck about it. My youngest has never even seen my family (and the older one doesn't remember), so I just have to do it ... no question.

So ... what would you like me to do, fellow passengers? Just look like I'm making an effort? Some things may be beyond my control. My youngest will only just be 3 and has occasional tantrums. I have DVD players but they can't watch that for 25 hours ... No point offering drinks because they're free anyway! Apologize in advance?

Don't worry about folks like the OP. Yes, there are overly permissive parents who just give up and don't parent, but I'm sure you aren't one of them.

BTW, I posted a similar question to yours in the travel section. I'm about to hit the middle east with my 3 year old and am not looking forward to a 10 hour non-stop flight (the transfers are actually a wonderful change of pace). Maybe some folks will post tips there.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you've "finished raising 3 children and are now enjoying our new found freedom" then why are you on DCUM?

Anyway, I just want to turn the question around because I have to travel half way around the world with a 3 and 5 year old soon and I'm a nervous wreck about it. My youngest has never even seen my family (and the older one doesn't remember), so I just have to do it ... no question.

So ... what would you like me to do, fellow passengers? Just look like I'm making an effort? Some things may be beyond my control. My youngest will only just be 3 and has occasional tantrums. I have DVD players but they can't watch that for 25 hours ... No point offering drinks because they're free anyway! Apologize in advance?

Don't worry about folks like the OP. Yes, there are overly permissive parents who just give up and don't parent, but I'm sure you aren't one of them.

BTW, I posted a similar question to yours in the travel section. I'm about to hit the middle east with my 3 year old and am not looking forward to a 10 hour non-stop flight (the transfers are actually a wonderful change of pace). Maybe some folks will post tips there.

PP here. Thanks. Yes, I guess you just have to do your best and you can't please everyone, can you? I think that how well you as the parent are feeling makes all the difference - if you haven't had enough sleep or feel sick then it will be hell. But so much of that is out of our control. Perhaps it helps to think of people in worse situations - like kids with illnesses or behavioral problems. And you can think of me - we're flying to Australia and back, so 50 hours flight time!! Good luck with your trip. I'll check out your other post.

[Anonymous]

OP, if you can't deal with the public, don't go out in public. There are no laws against babies on airplanes. There are no laws against babies in restaurants . . . and in some states, no laws against babies in bars! You can moan, you can whine, you can complain, but the law is not on your side. Suck it up and deal with it or go back to your cave.