Ha! give me a break. wait 8 years before taking them on a plane just because it'll be a little annoying for a few hours? sacrifice a chance to get to know elderly great-grandparents who don't have much time left because the trip itself is temporarily stressful? miss out on major family events to sooth a stranger's…

Oh geez, if I was the parent I would absolutely want to know it was that bad for you! As long as you're nice, I honestly wouldn't mind (well, I would be embarrassed, but some compassion from the stranger would absolutely be a godsend). Turning around and addressing the kid kindly "Well hi there! You sure do have some…

Because someone dealt with your parents' shitty kid?

So many of the people complaining about children on aeroplanes sound like petulant children themselves. When you shove so many people into a tight space together for a long period of time, there will be inconveniences. If adults can't be mature enough to handle that, what hope do young children have?

And sometimes people are just shitty child-haters. I go above and beyond to make sure my kids are quiet and well-behaved on flights. I come prepared with books and snacks and quiet activities. My kids are experienced travelers, who are by in large really freaking excellent on flights. They can get through security…

I'm surprised so many people starred this. I mean I understand there are totally shitty parents everywhere, but a lot of them are doing their best. I really don't think it's fair to tell people "don't fly." I'm sure if they could avoid the hassle with kids, they probably would have figured out another way. But you're…

No, you're not going to force parents to drug their kids. Flying is terrible for everyone, screaming children don't help, but let's not pretend that we're entitled to anything different.

I don't know if it helps, but:

That is brilliant. A GIFT from a STRANGER? Totally cooler than a gift from boring old mommy.

If the child is old enough to understand, they probably will respond better to a stranger asking them to stop than their parent, actually. Kids plus boredom is a baaaaad combination and some of them will find mama telling them to stop even more amusing than kicking the seat. But a stranger? Shuts them right up.

You don't have to be an asshole about it. I had a seat kicker when we already landed but were trapped on the tarmac. I turned around and said, "This is really boring, huh?" The little girl just looked at me and nodded. "I'm super bored, too, but could you maybe stop kicking my seat? It kind of hurts. I bet they'll let…

Totally agree - parents who make an effort get a total pass. Sometimes you just can't make your kids do what you want them to, but at least make the effort.

You know, I hadn't considered that many headphones would be too large and probably uncomfortable for kids. The more you know! Thanks, that helps me empathize with parents who don't give their kids headphones more. :)

I'm with you. You can try everything. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. As a parent, I try to be mindful of my kid on planes. I also try to give other parents a break with there's. I understand, so maybe that's the difference between blind rage and brushing it off.

I always just turn around, look the kid right in the eyes, and say in my syrupiest, sweetest voice "Honey, can you not kick my seat? That hurts." Getting reprimanded by a stranger usually is enough to scare them into behaving, it lets the parents know their kid is annoying, and the parents can't possibly get upset…

Because you can't control a toddler. If you could control them, everyone would have their kids in check.

It is frustrating but you are not doing anything wrong. You are trying your best to control your child and that's what matters. People will judge you child or not, so they can just fuck off with there judgements.

I was on a flight from Paris to NYC a couple of years ago and there was a kid (maybe 4 or so) who screamed the entire time. When I say "screamed" I mean "screamed" and when I say "the entire time" I mean "the entire time." It got to the point where you stopped even being annoyed and just worried about the kid…

Oh great this again. I have no right to fly because i have a child? Is my child not allowed to fly to visit family because your reasons for flying are soooo much more important? Yeah, i could physically hold my child down, i never said that i didn't, but you can't hold a child down for a whole 3 hour flight without…

I guarantee you've never flown with a two year old or you would have a lot more empathy. Controlling another human being is not as easy as it seems. Get your head out of your ass with your bullshit advice until you've been in our shoes.