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Flying with children
Are we there yet Mum?
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Kayte Platts Thursday 1 July 2010 |
I think one of the most difficult things with air travel has to be travelling with young children.
Of course there are arguments for both sides, we have all been in the situation when travelling where a child continuously and relentlessly kicks the back of your seat for the duration of the flight, and it can be difficult to retain your composure!!
However, on a recent trip, I witnessed a young mother really struggling with a toddler who flatly refused to conform! She had entered the aircraft and realised that she was in the middle seat, her child wasn’t in his own seat, which admittedly would have maybe helped. She politely asked the passenger on the aisle seat if he would rather move into the centre seat as she suspected her child would be ‘up and down’ throughout the flight. He, in turn rather ungraciously decided that he didn’t want to move under any circumstances!
I watched from my seat opposite, as this child clambered over this rather stubborn gentleman continuously, it was in a way quite amusing, the young mother constantly apologised, but the flight was simply no fun for her either. Eventually, after round about an hour of flight time, the gentleman admitted defeat and moved!
My point is, I feel we need at times to be more thoughtful of these situations, having had children myself and read them the ‘riot act’ every time we have boarded an aircraft I am fully aware of how difficult it can be to travel with a young child, it’s a restricted area after all, and a fascinating one for a young mind, so next time you are flying somewhere, and your seat is being kicked, keep in mind what a difficult task it is keeping a child occupied!
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Colin, Swanley 2 July 2010, 04:50PM | |
It must be one hell of a job for parents to control excited/energetic toddlers on long flights, especially with the low level of comfort and space in plane cabins. I do think extra tolerance is necessary here. | |
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I have been on several flights where my seat has been continually kicked and especially on long haul I dread it when I see parents approaching with young children and sit behind me, I do think sometimes parents are oblivious to their child's behaviour, but relent in saying that I feel its a difficult situation to be in, in such a restricted space for several hours. | |
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Alex Marsh, Mayfield 20 July 2010, 05:07PM | |
I find children really irritating on flights in general, the parents have no consideration for other passengers, all too many times I have been subjected to kids climbing over me continuously during the flight, and parents making half hearted attempts to retrieve them. Its not the children always, but the parents that are a problem. | |
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Sally Evans, Lincs 29 July 2010, 03:39PM | |
That's a bit strong, it must be impossible to keep a child occupied on a flight, especially long haul, ok, there are parents that seem to be oblivious to what is going on, but a good majority are probably trying their hardest I would imagine. | |
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Chris, Eltham 3 August 2010, 09:42AM | |
As a single male, I hate having screaming kids near me when I travel. If parents cannot keep their children quiet then they should not travel with them. My girl friend takes the wholly opposite view and keeps talking to the parents and saying how nice it is and what is his or her name. | |
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Lucy Williams, Shoreham 5 August 2010, 02:13PM | |
Do you think we like our kids screaming their heads off? Of course we don't but it is very difficult to control a 2 year old believe me in a restricted area, it can be very embarrassing for the parents when everyone is staring at you and wondering why you are not controlling your child. A bit understanding is required in these situations. | |
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