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

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

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]I don't think it's appropriate to "let" your child kick the seat, but I also think that people need to realize that in a small space everyone is trying to get comfortable, and things can happen.  If your toddler kicks and kicks it's not fair.  If his feet tap the seat in front of him once or twice before you manage to get a hand on their leg, well, that happens.

I've only flown with my child once when kicking was even really a possibility.  The first trip we took he was still rear facing, so it wasn't an issue.  More recently, he's been tall enough that his knees sit a the edge of the seat and his feet are below the seat in front of him.  However, when he was about 4 we flew to Canada.  When my son climbed into his seat, and was geting settled his feet hit the seat in front of him.  The lady turned around and yelled at him about how he better not kick or something.  It was a total overeaction.  Since I didn't want him to get yelled at again, we took off his shoes.  Since his knees didn't reach the edge, and putting them out in front of him meant they'd touch the seat, I had him sit criss cross applesauce, but over time he'd slide down and probably 3 or 4 times during the 6 hour flight, he'd go to adjust himself back up, stretching out his legs scootching back and refolding them.  A couple times (literally) his bare feet touched the seat in front of him, and she again turned around and yelled at him.  It was totally inappropriate.

I should note that this was the last of the 4 flights that trip, and on the other 3 no one had commented.  I don't actually remember him touching the seat, but I'm sure he did because the sliding down issue didn't happen just once.  On the other flights he kept his shoes on and no one reacted at all.

So, while I agree that it's awful to let your child kick, and you need to take steps to stop it, I also think it's important to remember that in a crowded space things happen, and just like the guy next to you might fart unexpectedly and you deal because these things happen, there may be moments when good parents with good kids still touch the seat in front of them.[/quote]

All right, all you hard-core "Don't let your child kick the seat in front" extremists.  I need to know: What would you say in this situation to (a) the child (b) the mother and (c) the "victim."[/quote]

(A) No.  We don't kick the seat.  Here are your stickers!
(B) Sounds like you're trying your best.  Would you like a glass of wine?
(C) Ma'am, they're doing their best here.  If you have any concerns, please direct them to the parent.  Do not yell at my child again.

Hard core!!![/quote]

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