Mom Takes Kids On A 9-Hour Flight, Complains Nobody Helped, Gets A Reality Check From A Sibling

Supporting family during challenging and emotional times is important, but sometimes it’s hard to fully empathize with them.

When childfree Reddit user Jazzlike_Editor_639 listened to her sister vent about the struggles she had flying with her two young children, the woman wanted to say something that would make her feel better.

But as she learned about the kids’ nonstop crying, she found herself siding with the annoyed passengers. Ultimately, the Redditor chose to offer some tough criticism instead, but her words only made it worse.

Few things test people’s patience as much as an overnight long-haul flight

Young child with pacifier sitting on airplane seat, highlighting challenges of long flights with kids.

Image credits: EyeEm (not the actual photo)

Especially when kids are crying the entire way

Text conversation discussing a mom taking kids on a long flight and facing criticism from a sibling about the experience.

Mom struggles on a 9-hour flight with kids who are terrible flyers, facing no help and a reality check from a sibling.

Screenshot of a social media post discussing entitled attitudes about kids on planes and sympathy for moms struggling during flights.

Text screenshot showing a complaint about the challenges of motherhood and contrasting views on parenting duties.

Text about a mom taking kids on a 9-hour flight and dealing with annoyed passengers unwilling to help.

Frustrated woman sitting indoors hugging a pillow, reflecting the stress of a mom taking kids on a 9-hour flight.

Image credits: user25451090  (not the actual photo)

Mom takes kids on a 9-hour flight, feels no one helped, and gets a reality check from a sibling about the situation.

Text discussing a mom taking kids on a 9-hour flight and complaints about nobody helping during the journey.

Text excerpt from a conversation about a mom taking kids on a 9-hour flight and passengers’ reactions.

Text excerpt about a mom taking kids on a 9-hour flight and expecting others to help with childcare.

Text excerpt discussing a mom traveling with kids on a long flight and a sibling giving a reality check.

Image credits: Jazzlike_Editor_639

Writer Vicki Broadbent, author of the upcoming children’s book Greek Myths, Folktales and Legends, says parents who prepare well for flights with children can make the whole experience much smoother

Woman holding Vicki Broadbent children's book Greek Myths Folktales with a backdrop of a bookstore window display.

Image credits: Honest Mum

We got in touch with Bored Panda’s parenting expert and bestselling author Vicki Broadbent, who, among other things, is raising three kids and running the popular family blog Honest Mum, and asked how she prepares for flying with them. “I like to pack what I call a Mary Poppins-style bag for flights, which works for all ages from babies to teens,” Vicki told us. “I include a first aid kit in case my kids get temperatures, antiseptic cream, antihistamine, plasters, cuddly toys, iPads with films and cartoons downloaded in advance so they have their comforting shows on there, card games, healthy snacks, and water (I was once on a flight from London to LA without kids, thankfully, where water was scarce and learned my lesson).”

“For my 3-year-old, I pack several changes of clothes and items I can layer in case she’s hot or cold and a blanket. Don’t forget wet wipes too for spills. Cotton wool for ears is useful to block out noise and aid sleep, as well as soft sweets or fruit to chew for takeoff and landing to help with pressure changes and potential earache. Breastfeeding your baby or giving them bottle milk if you’re not nursing can help too.”

As for arrangements surrounding the plane itself, Vicki recommends prebooking seats with extra legroom and those closer to the front of the plane, near the galley and toilets, where there tends to be more space and less noise from the aircraft. However, “access to the bathroom is crucial.”

Other useful things to know include that you can often find seats equipped to attach a bassinet, while older children usually prefer window seats to enjoy the view outside.

Generally, “distraction goes a long way, as does feeding them healthy choices and staying away from sugar (which leads to sugar crashes and less ability to manage emotions and tantrums). Playing white noise from your phone to help calm them works well, too.”

If the ride isn’t bumpy and the seatbelt sign is off, you can also walk up and down the aisles, gently rocking the child. “I like to add lavender oil drops to my youngest’s clothes to help her relax too,” Vicki, who has a teen, tween, and three-year-old, said. “Prepare so as not to despair, but also know you can do everything you can, and your child might still feel unwell on a flight or unsettled, and they have every right to exist in spaces with adults, just as much as everyone else.”

“Consider fast-tracking check-in and weighing your bags before,” she added. “Be prepared essentially, as everything takes twice as long when traveling with children who will invariably be out of routines, more tired, and thus prone to meltdowns and tantrums. Try and be as understanding as possible.”

“Whilst no one has a right to be rude to you as a parent, I’ve found the ‘charm to disarm’ tactic useful in these situations,” Broadbent said

If your kids are making things difficult on board and you’re getting dirty looks from others, “empathizing with the person who is frustrated and perhaps not used to hearing children upset, and communicating with them—where possible—is key,” the Honest Mum noted.

“Of course, it goes without saying that being proactive and soothing your child is important, as I’m sure you will be doing, but also explaining to others that you are trying and apologizing for the noise. Most of the time, fellow passengers are looking for acknowledgement that you understand prolonged crying is frustrating.”

Also, keep in mind that the scenario described in the Reddit post isn’t the norm. Vicki has found people to be mostly understanding and helpful on flights, not confrontational.

She also believes this particular case is portrayed a little too one-sided. “The mom must have felt drained and defeated with a crying child for so long, but equally, she doesn’t seem to understand that this will also affect and upset those around her too.”

“Yes, a little help and empathy from the other passengers would have gone a long way, and it’s sad we seem to be living in a world that often lacks empathy when it comes to parents and children, but it sounds like the experience is still raw to her; hence, her feeling triggered by her sister. Again, that’s understandable.”

But we childfree flyers should remember to be gentle with parents. Many times, they’re there because they have to be. “Raising kids is the hardest thing anyone will do physically and emotionally, and the first few years for mothers are especially hard with sleep deprivation and tumultuous hormones,” Vicki Broadbent said. “I try to opt for short haul flights where possible to make mine and my kids’ lives easier, but I know this isn’t always possible.”

Some people who read the woman’s story thought she didn’t do anything wrong in the way she addressed her sister

Comment discussing a mom taking kids on a flight, highlighting challenges with helping and passenger tolerance.

Screenshot of a Reddit comment discussing a mom taking kids on a 9-hour flight and lacking help from others.

Screenshot of a Reddit comment discussing challenges of parenting on a 9-hour flight with young kids and lack of support.

Text post from anon sharing opinions on parenting challenges and complaints about people’s reactions to a baby crying.

Screenshot of an online comment expressing annoyance at noisy airplane passengers during a long flight with kids.

Reddit user shares experience of long flight with kids, discussing challenges and reactions from a sibling perspective.

Comment about mom taking kids on a long flight, sharing advice on managing kids during travel and handling lack of help.

Reddit user comments discussing a mom’s 9-hour flight with kids and a sibling’s reality check about lack of help.

Screenshot of a Reddit comment discussing challenges of parenting and expecting help on a long flight with kids.

Screenshot of a Reddit comment discussing a mom taking kids on a 9-hour flight and asking for help from others.

Comment on a 9-hour flight with kids, highlighting complaints about lack of help and getting a reality check from a sibling.

Screenshot of an online comment discussing a mom taking kids on a 9-hour flight and facing criticism for it.

Screenshot of a Reddit comment discussing a mom on a 9-hour flight complaining about lack of help, with a sibling’s reality check.

Comment discussing a mom taking kids on a 9-hour flight and complaints about lack of help from others.

Comment criticizing a sibling’s response as kids struggle with pain on a long flight during a family disagreement.

Screenshot of a Reddit comment discussing challenges of flying with a baby, related to mom and kids on a flight.

Screenshot of a comment about a mom taking kids on a 9-hour flight and facing challenges from a sibling’s perspective.

Comment criticizing mom for taking kids on a long flight, highlighting lack of support and giving a reality check from sibling.

Screenshot of a Reddit comment discussing challenges of a 9-hour flight with kids and advice on travel planning.

Text of a Reddit comment discussing challenges of a mom flying with kids on a 9-hour flight and sibling’s harsh reality check.

Screenshot of an online comment discussing challenges of a mom taking kids on a 9-hour flight with no help.

Comment discussing the challenges of a 9-hour flight with kids and suggesting medication for travel relief.

Screenshot of a Reddit comment discussing entitled parents and a mom taking kids on a 9-hour flight without help.

Reddit comment discussing a mom taking kids on a 9-hour flight and complaints about lack of help from strangers.

Reddit comment discussing challenges of a mom taking kids on a long flight and lack of help with childcare.

And some felt she should’ve showed more empathy

Screenshot of an online comment criticizing a mom’s complaint about lack of help on a 9-hour flight with kids.

Screenshot of an online comment responding to a mom who took kids on a 9-hour flight, discussing flying with children.

Mom takes kids on a 9-hour flight, complains about lack of help, sibling gives a reality check in online discussion.

Screenshot of an online comment discussing family support during a long flight with kids and a sibling’s response.

Screenshot of a Reddit comment discussing the challenges of a mom taking kids on a long stressful flight.

Comment discussing the challenges of a mom traveling with kids on a long flight and public tolerance.

Reddit comment discussing challenges parents face flying with children and dealing with judgment from other passengers.

Comment discussing challenges of traveling with kids on a long flight and the importance of kindness towards parents.

Poll Question

Total votes ·

Thanks! Check out the results:

Total votes ·

Newsletter

Subscribe to Access
Exclusive Polls

Subscribe

By entering your email and clicking Subscribe, you're agreeing to let us send you customized marketing messages about us and our advertising partners. You are also agreeing to our Privacy Policy.

Thank you! You've successfully subscribed to newsletters!

Anyone can write on Bored Panda. Start writing!

Follow Bored Panda on Google News!

Follow us on Flipboard.com/@boredpanda!