Community Corner
Moms Talk: Is it Worth It to Fly With Toddlers?
A popular airline recently booted a family off the plane when its 2-year-old acted up. Is this your worst nightmare, moms? Do you fly with your kids, or do you stay on the ground? We want to hear from you!
It appears celebrities aren’t the only ones to get the boot on airplanes these days. A New England family was recentl kicked off a Jet Blue flight when the terrible 2-year-old threw an uncontrollable temper tantrum. The pilot turned the plane around and asked the family to get off, forcing them to spend hundreds of dollars on hotel expenses until they could catch the next flight home.
“Rules are rules,” the airline said, implying that the rules of conduct apply to everyone from innocent-looking kids in Pampers to potential terrorists. Surprisingly, the family in this case remained fairly good sports, but others are now questioning if airlines are truly kid-friendly or if the TSA has taken things to extremes.
I have many friends who frequently travel with little ones, and the flight itself can be so stressful it almost makes the trip not worth it. After all, it’s every mother’s worst predicament: being stuck in the skies with a screaming toddler and nowhere to go. Those who have children may be empathetic, but even they may grow irritated after endless screaming. Others may throw dirty looks their way and eventually throw in their two cents. These comments are anything but helpful, as no doubt the parents aren’t enjoying the scenario anymore than the rest of the crew. A two-hour flight with a tantruming toddler can feel like an eternity, and most in the situation would admit they considered jumping out the emergency exit at least once.
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So what’s a parent to do when it comes to traveling the skies with youngsters? Some friends suggest Benadryl, the children’s equivalent of a stiff martini for adults. Some try to make it fun with games, books and toys, but even those can grow old after a while. Still others just refuse to fly until their children are older. It’s just not worth it, they say.
What about you, moms? Do you think airlines have become too strict when it comes to airline behavior, or do you appreciate their effort to keep thing fair and as pleasant as possible for all? Do you travel with little ones, and if so, how do you keep your cool in the air? We want to hear from you!
