Recently, a United Airlines flight had to return to the gate after a pregnant mother struggled to soothe her crying two-year-old. A fellow traveler shared the experience on social media.
Anna Smith was seven months along and managing a spirited toddler. Managing to board a flight while pregnant and wrangling a little one is no easy task. And toddlers don’t come with an “off switch,” no matter what some might think. Unfortunately, that seemed to be the expectation from some flight attendants.
The entire flight was delayed for over an hour to retrieve Smith’s bag. Honestly, I think most passengers would have preferred to hear a child crying for a few minutes than endure such a significant delay. It’s disheartening to see parents of young children treated this way. Just recently, a family was removed from a US Airways flight because a toddler was playfully kicking his feet into the aisle. Can we please put an end to this trend, airline staff?
I recall a trip when my son was usually a fantastic flyer—until one unfortunate day. He got car sick on the way to the airport, so he was already feeling unwell before we boarded. Initially calm, he turned into a whirlwind of chaos as the plane began to taxi. I had already used up my calming techniques, and a not-so-kind passenger next to me let out a sarcastic remark. But then, a flight attendant appeared, smiling, and offered to help warm a bottle or assist in any way. It made such a difference in an otherwise challenging situation. So, thank you to that anonymous flight attendant who helped a mom in distress!
It’s frustrating when people say, “I don’t mind kids, it’s the parents I can’t stand.” If parents are doing their best to calm their little ones, that should be enough. And really, warning a pregnant mother to keep her toddler quiet is unrealistic. Until someone invents a foolproof method for that, let’s show a little more understanding.
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In summary, airlines need to approach situations involving crying children with more compassion and understanding. Parents are doing their best, and a little empathy can go a long way in making the flying experience more pleasant for everyone.
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