On the radio this morning I heard a story about a young family with twin boys, about 14 weeks old. They were getting ready to take an airplane flight. Before the flight, the parents passed out bags of candy to all of the other passengers. In the bag was a little note that said something to the effect of "we're 14 week old twin boys. We are taking our first airplane trip. We will try to be on our best behavior, but apologize in advance if we get fussy or our ears hurt. My mom and dad have ear plugs for anyone who wants them. We are in seats (whatever it was)."
I thought that was so cute! If I had been on that flight and the parents had not done this, I probably would get irritated if I had to listen to the babies cry, but after the parents' gesture, how can you get mad?
I did read that story. I thought it was quite considerate. I just hope it doesn't become the 'new norm' and in 5 years people will be viewed as 'inconsiderate' if they don't gift the airplane with chocolates before boarding with children!
I never get irritated if I hear babies cry.
People have lives. Sometimes they have to fly with infants. Instead of being irritated with a crying baby - I think that we all need to give parents a break. The parents are doing all they can - THEY don't want their babies to cry either.
That said - I think the idea is very cute.
That's cute . . . I used to fly quite a bit for work. One flight a lady with a baby sat in her seat and the lady next to her stood up and demanded a new seat - I felt horrible for the lady with the baby.
Another flight, I had the window (love the window) and a women had an newborn and a 2 year old - she had her hands full. The 2 year old was screaming he had to go potty, she was a little overwhelmed so I offered to hold the newborn she gratefully handed the baby over. I got to hold him the rest of the flight and she entertained the toddler. As we were getting ready to get off the plane, I realized the man infront of us was the father/husband - unbelievable!
No I didn't.
It does sound like a nice gesture.
But either way I would not get angry. I only get angry at the parents that let their kid keep kicking the seat ahead of them.
That is kind of different, but nice. Last time I was on an airplane, the couple sitting next to me spent the whole time complaining about a little kid crying. I wish they would have had some candy to keep their mouths busy so I wouldn't have had to listen to THEM!!!!
Okay, that is really cute, but a little over the top! :)
And...I've been there done that and I try to help other parents flying with their kids, even if I have mine with me. Nothing is worse than having a crying baby and having people not to be nice to you or judging you on top of it!
How could anyone find any fault with this? It was a sweet gesture.
Lighten up people and give people some credit for effort and a clever idea.
Always looking for that 1 bad thought.. Good grief..
And yes, I have held an infant for a mom on the plane as she dealt with a toddler, but , she was traveling alone. It was so not a biog deal..
"SWEET"!!!! How so very kindhearted and thoughtful towards all the passengers! WOW!!! Not many people would think of something like that to do. A great idea! There's no way I could get irritated either....especially not after such a kindhearted gesture like that! :-)
Thank you for sharing this story! Made my day! :-D
I hadn't heard about it but I've met other parents of twins that gave out small Starbuck gift cards to the people in the row in front and back of where she was sitting.
There is only one time I've been really annoyed by something parents did with their kids on a plane. I was traveling Southwest Airlines so there are no set seat assignments. I had boarded in an earlier group and was sitting in an aisle seat. The window and the middle seat next to me were open. A family of 3 adults (mom, dad, grandma) and 2 toddlers got on board. The parents sat their 2 toddlers next to me and then one adult sat in the row behind them and the others sat in the row 2 behind. So instead of splitting up and having one adult sit with each, they opted to sit their 2 toddlers next to some stranger and assumed that would be okay. Granted the parents were sitting nearby but it's not the same...especially if the seat belt light never goes off.
I promptly looked over my shoulder to another row diagonally behind me that also had an aisle seat open and moved.
(BTW, I know there has been news somewhat recently about airlines charging more to sit together, but this was before that and there were plenty of options for an adult to sit with one of the toddlers. The plane had not filled up yet. Plus, it just seems bizarre that someone would do that by choice.)
I think they went way overboard.
Plus, in this day and age, I can't believe the airlines didn't have something to say about a passenger handing out 'candy' to every single passenger before boarding a flight.
Super cute. I'd call that a smart preemptive strike!
Cute! Wow, those parents went above and beyond.
Yes, I heard about this a few days ago. I think it's a great idea, and very thoughtful and considerate to the other passengers.
I mean you cant really get too mad if the babies cry right? They are babies! But candy makes everything more tolerable! :)
ETA: I actually saw a picture of the candy they were handing out from a person who was on that flight, and it wasn't anything that was home made or anything like that, it was mostly hard candies, and stuff that was in orginal tear open packages and mints and what not. For whatever it's worth.
I don't get upset when I hear babies crying. You can tell the difference between a newborn baby crying and an older child that's out of control with misbehavior. And there's a difference between not being able to soothe a crying baby and not caring and pretending not to notice/not reprimanding your misbehaving toddler for kicking seats, screaming because you brought the wrong juice box, or on the other end of the spectrum your toddler is in pain or is overtired and you can't soothe them either.
People need to get over their entitlement that they "deserve" to have annoyance-free travel experiences.
AWW. I almost cried but I just feel warm and mushy. so sweet. I love that story.
That's a cute idea. I'm not irritated unless the parents don't try to help the children. You travel. You interact with the public.
I heard about this and think it was a super nice gesture on the parents' part. I wish more people were like this, instead of having such an sense of entitlement & not caring if their kids are disrupting others.
I'm just scratching my head as to why they didn't include the ear plugs already. Everyone would have to get up and go back there. That part seemed silly.
I guess it was an OK idea. It wouldn't make listening to a screaming child (if they were screaming) any easier, though. It's a nice gesture, but it's not one I'd ever make. I would never get mad about a baby crying. A child who should know better (excluding special needs) yes, that makes me mad. A baby, it's just a fact of life!! Listening to babies holler is still very difficult, but I don't see why one has to get mad about it!!
Saw that! Great damage control!
What irks me more than a crying baby is a parent who talks loud to her toddler about a story book, adventure or such. I am not into how wonderful you parent. Your child is seated right next to you. Speak in a quiet voice. I don't need to hear how mama penguins feed their young.
i heard this too and thought it was clever!
So many people can't eat candy – that part puzzles me, but it is "sweet." I have known of parents offering ear plugs with up-front apologies, however. It seems to be a gesture that goes down well for other travelers.
