During our recent trip to Puerto Rico, there happened to be a number of young children traveling with their parents. I have kids. I have nieces and nephews. And, I traveled with them at all ages. In fact, I’ve flown solo with the twins since they were 11 weeks old.
I love kids and I particularly love to see families that travel, but after listening to what went on in the airport AND on the plane, I have to say I was a bit taken aback by what I heard and witnessed. So, I decided to let you in on this and see what you think…
Here are my suggestions for The Top 5 Things NOT TO SAY to Fellow Travelers When Traveling With Children:
- When your 3 boys are jumping hurdles over people’s carry-on luggage in the waiting area at the airport and successfully knock over someone’s coffee, do not say: “Oh well, boys will be boys”.
- When you sit down with your lap child, who is not under 2, please don’t say to the person sitting next to you right before take off: “Too bad you have the worst seat on the flight”.
- When your child escapes the “family room” in the lounge, because they have been left alone in there while you are off getting food or that glass of wine and you return to find said child dancing on the table in front of me, do not say: “Get off that table before I beat you again”. Yes, this really happened in the Centurion Lounge!
- Always a favorite and yes, heard again in the lounge: “We can wait until we take off to change his diaper”. Pass the nose plugs, please.
- And please, I hate to say this, but I buy the ticket I buy for a reason and I pick the seat I pick for a reason. So please, I truly beg you – Do not sugar your child up to keep them “happy” so that they end up with so much energy that they need to run it off up and down the aisle in flight, knocking into passengers en route. And, if you do, please if you are in coach, don’t let your child run through through the curtain and you announce, “Sorry you lucky people in first class, but my child needs to run. Hey, at least she’s cute”. It unfortunately took a while for the flight attendants to get the situation under control and all the parent said was, “She’s on a sugar rush. What do you want me to do?” Seriously?? Who gave the child the sugar?
So, what does everyone think? Am I being hypersensitive? Are my expectations of behavior too high? Or, have you felt like me? Would love to hear your opinions…
– DANA
Sherry is one of the TriWivesClub and LifeDoneWell co-founders and contributes to multiple blogs. She is a former co-owner of the California Apparel News and had a career in the healthcare industry. Her passions include traveling, real food, the environment, and animal rescue/welfare. She lives a healthy lifestyle and has been a vegetarian since 1987. She and her husband are parents to two rescue pups and reside in Connecticut.
Amen! Parents like this are the ones who ruin it for the rest of us. I work hard to keep my kiddos entertained, happy, and (mostly) in control. And apologize when they don’t. I can’t stand when I see fellow traveling parents behaving this way.
I know Leslie. I was really shocked at some of the behavior I witnessed and like you, tried to keep the twins happy and behaved.
Yep. It’s the parents I want to strangle, not the kids. It’s parents like that who ruin it for the rest of us who really try to not let our kids annoy people.
Lindy- So so true. My favorite is when the child is loud and the parent is louder telling them to be quite. If only the parent would whisper…it works wonders.
Who wants to change a diaper on an airplane? That’s just plain crazy! Travel time is a great opportunity to be a hands-on parent, do things together on the plane that you normally don’t have time for. Color together, read to your kids, play a game . . . it is our job as parents/caretakers to keep them cool and collected. Then, when something comes up that just seems out of our control, we do our best to correct the situation and be kind to others around us. There’s also been times when I’m traveling solo and someone’s child is acting less than stellar- I remind myself that we all have tricky moments and do my best to give a caring smile or speak up when necessary ;).
Jessica- I know it is the perfect bonding time. I love to fly and always made sure, even when young, it was a magical time for the kids as well. I get kids will act out, for goodness sake I act out at 46 too once in a long time…and you are right a smile works wonders.
GREAT advise!! Some parents just don’t know how to be a parent! I agree with Jessica’s comment, too. I have loved the times I have traveled with my 2 children. It is such a perfect opportunity to do so many wonderful things with your child without those nagging voices in your head saying “You have a dozen loads of laundry waiting to be done….What are you going to fix for dinner?….When is the last time I dusted?…”etc.
I was just telling someone today about how I value that flight time. I so wish sometimes there still was not wifi on planes. Where are you off to next?
Wow, we are right there with ya. We have 2 that are now 10 and 12 and never let them run around or filled them with sugar. It was always books puzzles and coloring to keep them busy, when they were little. Now they have visited over 25 countries and are perfect little travelers, well maybe they aren’t so little. I would have gone nuts on that flight.
Heidi- we are with you! They really do grow up too fast, enjoy every minute and every travel! I love to hear from parents like you who like to color and read WITH the kids. In the end not only is travel better for everyone but it is prime bonding time. HAPPY TRAVELS! Where are you off to next?
You are spot on, thank you!!
Thanks Paula. Wasn’t sure if I should write it, but have to be honest…
i agree! What really annoys me is parents who insist their toddlers and pre schoolers stay in their strollers the entire time they are waiting for the plane to arrive. The kids are screaming and struggling to get out while parents ignore their screams. We had our daughter walking non stop until it was time to board. We also boarded last. Why spend another 20 minutes on the plane when you don’t have to?
Hi Silvana. I love your point about boarding last. And airlines, of course, do the complete opposite. I guess it just says that parents need to know their children and do what works best for them like you do. Thanks so much.
For real??? I think this extends beyond just traveling… I have two very rambunctious boys (who we travel with frequently) and that kind of behavior would never fly in our family. Kids will be kids to a certain extent and accidents happen, but manners and preparedness goes a long way.
Carolyn, That is the real point I think. Parenting and kids appreciating the loving boundaries we set for them. They are happier with these loving boundaries and over time as you say, the behavior “would never fly”. You are right, being prepared is key.