Traveling with children can be a daunting experience, particularly when it comes to flying. Recently, Dr. Jamie Rivers, a pediatrician and parenting advocate, addressed the common complaints about babies on planes through a series of thoughtful tweets. He highlighted the reality that parents crave a peaceful flight just as much as fellow passengers do.
As soon as a family boards the plane, you can often spot passengers who visibly tense up, hoping the family doesn’t sit next to them. While many understand that it’s normal for infants to cry, others are less empathetic. Dr. Rivers pointed out that when parents are faced with a fussy baby at 30,000 feet, they often feel helpless. He posed a crucial question: “What exactly do we expect parents to do?”
The Efforts of Parents
He elaborated on the efforts parents go through to prepare for flights: coordinating around nap times, packing engaging snacks, toys, and activities, and even resorting to bribes like candy or screen time. However, at the end of the day, children are just that—children. They have their own emotions and, yes, the right to express them, even if it disrupts the peace of a flight.
Dr. Rivers made it clear that if travelers are seeking environments free from the sounds of children, they might want to reconsider places like grocery stores and parks. He emphasized that no one wishes for a child to be upset more than their own parent. In a conversation with a popular parenting blog, Rivers recounted that while he and his partner have not personally faced negative remarks during flights, they have heard countless stories from other parents who have.
A Wave of Support
His tweets prompted a wave of responses from fellow parents sharing their experiences, and even some non-parents chimed in with supportive messages. “Being part of society means accepting that children are a part of it,” Rivers stated. “Parents need understanding, not judgment, especially when their little ones are having a tough time.” For more insights into parenting challenges, you can explore this blog post.
Conclusion
In summary, traveling with babies can be challenging, and the resulting noise is often unavoidable. Dr. Rivers’ tweets serve as a reminder that empathy and understanding go a long way in creating a more supportive environment for families.