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Flight Passenger Snaps At Mom Over “Obnoxious” Toddler, Ends Up Humiliated By Other Travelers
Flight Passenger Snaps At Mom Over “Obnoxious” Toddler, Ends Up Humiliated By Other Travelers

Flight Passenger Snaps At Mom Over “Obnoxious” Toddler, Ends Up Humiliated By Other Travelers

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Ah, air travel…a magical experience where you pay an obscene amount of money to sit in a cramped seat, snack on overpriced pretzels, and pray that the person next to you doesn’t take their shoes off. But nothing divides passengers quite like the presence of a toddler on board. Some people understand that kids exist, while others act like a child’s cry is a personal attack on their entire existence.

One mom recently found herself in a mid-air fight with a particularly salty traveler who apparently thought she had booked a ticket on a child-free airline.

More info: Reddit

RELATED:

    Airports bring out the worst in people, but airplanes are where entitlement really takes off

    Mother and toddler looking out airplane window, toys on tray table, onboard a JetBlue flight.

    Image credits: Rahul Singh / Pexels (not the actual photo)

    One mom and her child get cussed out by random entitled lady, because the toddler has a short tantrum on the plane, due to delays

    Text describing an incident on a flight involving an angry passenger and a loud toddler.

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    Text recounting a flight from Mexico, highlighting tired passengers and a half-hour delay due to maintenance.

    Text discussing a restless toddler on a plane, causing annoyance among passengers.

    Toddler crying at home, gripping parent's hand.

    Image credits: Helena Lopes / Pexels (not the actual photo)

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    “Will someone shut that kid up?”: Entitled lady tells the mom to make her kid stop crying or take him to the bathroom if she can’t

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    Text conversation on a plane about an “obnoxious” toddler, featuring angry remarks and reactions.

    Text from airplane incident recounting a passenger's response to an angry woman's remarks about an "obnoxious" toddler.

    Text describing an incident of an angry lady on a plane, involving flight attendants and public reaction.

    Angry woman on plane gesturing and speaking, expressing frustration.

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    Image credits: Liza Summer / Pexels (not the actual photo)

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    When the mom’s husband claps back at the woman, she insults them and flips them off, but gets a few words from other passengers and a flight attendant

    Text about a lady on a plane complaining and shouting about a toddler, overheard by other passengers.

    Text expressing frustration about a toddler's brief misbehavior on a flight, mentioning feeling harassed by a passenger.

    Image credits: angryxllama

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    The shocked mom feels defeated by the entire experience and even considers cancelling her vacation so she doesn’t have to fly with the child again

    After a long day of travel, a mother, her husband and their two-year-old son boarded a short 40-minute flight, hoping for a smooth ride home. Unfortunately, things started on a rough note when they were delayed for 30 minutes due to maintenance issues.

    Toddlers aren’t exactly known for their patience, now are they? But, after being a little trooper for most of the journey, the little guy hit his limit. So, he had a classic toddler meltdown – brief, but loud. That’s when the grumpiest passenger of the year comes in. Instead of practicing a little empathy, this lady behind the mom decided to turn up the drama, loudly demanding someone “shut that kid up!”

    When the woman escalated her complaints and suggested taking the toddler to the bathroom, because, apparently, airplane restrooms are now toddler time-out zones, the mom’s husband clapped back supported by many other passengers. But that comeback hit the cranky traveler hard because she shot back with swears and insults, flipping off the family, leaving the mom shocked and disturbed, almost swearing off flying.

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    Now, anyone who has ever been near a toddler knows they don’t have fully developed emotional regulation skills yet. A little fussiness or even a full-blown tantrum isn’t bad behavior or a sign of bad parenting; it’s just a normal part of toddler development. Parents who take their kids on flights are already doing a lot to keep them calm, but expecting complete silence from a two-year-old in a stressful situation is unrealistic.

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    Woman outdoors looking down, related to an airplane incident involving an angry passenger and a toddler.

    Image credits: Engin Akyurt / Pexels (not the actual photo)

    Speaking of unrealistic expectations, entitlement is a real thing, and some people just take it to Olympic levels. Whether it’s demanding a silent airplane or expecting VIP treatment at a fast-food joint, entitled people believe they deserve more, or better than you do, or just believe they deserve privileges they did not earn.

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    Whether it’s someone with a personality disorder, a spoiled child, or a person trying to overcompensate for past wrongs, entitled people are everywhere, and it’s pointless to try to change them. The best way to handle them? Set clear boundaries, don’t engage in their tantrums (because, let’s be honest, they’re just adult versions of the screaming toddler), and, if necessary, use humor to diffuse the situation.

    For the record, most parents are very aware that their child’s noise affects others, and they do their best to keep things under control. But if you’re someone who really can’t handle the possibility of a fussy child on a plane, you can always invest in a good pair of noise-canceling headphones. Trust me, they work wonders. Or, you can always charter a private jet. Just saying!

    But, if you must travel with toddlers, make sure you pack plenty of snacks, bring their favorite small toys, and download their go-to show on a tablet. And don’t forget the golden rule: never board without extra wipes and a change of clothes. But most importantly, breathe. Even if your little one has a moment, it’s just that—a moment. Most people get it, and the ones who don’t? Well, refer back to the entitlement section.

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    What’s your take on this story? Share your thoughts and wildest travel stories in the comments below!

    Netizens support the woman by sharing their own similar stories, saying she did nothing wrong

    Reddit comments about an angry lady on a plane criticizing a mom with a toddler.

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    Comments discussing angry lady on plane incident, reflecting support for the mom.

    Reddit comments discussing an experience with an obnoxious woman on a plane and supportive passengers.

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    Text exchange discussing how a plane's passengers defended a mom against an angry lady.

    Reddit comments discussing an angry lady on a plane upset about an "obnoxious" toddler.

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    Reddit comment expressing support for a mom on a plane dealing with an unruly toddler incident.

    Comment about a lady on a plane being told off for criticizing a mom's toddler, highlighting passenger reactions.

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    Comment supporting mom against angry passenger on a plane incident.

    Reddit comment discussing opinions on children being bothersome on flights, mentioning people's feelings.

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    Screenshot of a comment discussing an angry incident with a lady on a plane and supporting a mom.

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    Reddit comment discussing an incident involving an angry lady on a plane upset with a toddler.

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    Monica Selvi

    Monica Selvi

    Writer, BoredPanda staff

    Read more »

    Hi! I'm Moni. I’m a globetrotting creative with a camera in one hand and a notebook in the other. I’ve lived in 4 different countries, an visited 17, soaking up inspiration wherever I go. A marketer by trade but a writer at heart, I’ve been crafting stories, poems, and songs, and creating quirky characters since I was 7.

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    Monica Selvi

    Monica Selvi

    Writer, BoredPanda staff

    Hi! I'm Moni. I’m a globetrotting creative with a camera in one hand and a notebook in the other. I’ve lived in 4 different countries, an visited 17, soaking up inspiration wherever I go. A marketer by trade but a writer at heart, I’ve been crafting stories, poems, and songs, and creating quirky characters since I was 7.

    Rūta Zumbrickaitė

    Rūta Zumbrickaitė

    Author, BoredPanda staff

    Read more »

    Hi! Here at Panda's I'm responsible for Photo Editing and all of the things surrounding it. I love finding great, moody or even dramatic photos to fit the story. Besides that, I'm a proud owner of 3 cats with the silliest names and a bazillion plants<3You can find me at a makeup counter with headphones swatching all of the sparkly eyeshadows

    Read less »

    Rūta Zumbrickaitė

    Rūta Zumbrickaitė

    Author, BoredPanda staff

    Hi! Here at Panda's I'm responsible for Photo Editing and all of the things surrounding it. I love finding great, moody or even dramatic photos to fit the story. Besides that, I'm a proud owner of 3 cats with the silliest names and a bazillion plants<3You can find me at a makeup counter with headphones swatching all of the sparkly eyeshadows

    What do you think ?
    Beak Hookage
    Community Member
    9 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Toddlers don't have good emotional regulation because they're TODDLERS. What's her excuse? I can't stand the sound of little kids screaming either. In fact I find it absolutely maddening. But at least I have the sense to just turn up the volume on my headphones and mind my own business.

    Boo
    Community Member
    9 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    When travelling, earbuds and music for the win.

    Load More Replies...
    Kelbers11
    Community Member
    9 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The only time I’ve ever gotten mad at a family on a plane is when parents ignore their screaming children. They don’t even try to figure out what’s wrong with the kid, and instead make it everyone else’s problem. They CHOSE to be parents, and it’s not a part time job.

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    Brian Droste
    Community Member
    9 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I hope OP doesn't prevent her and her family from going on vacation just because of one Karen complaining about her child acting up.

    Load More Comments
    Beak Hookage
    Community Member
    9 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Toddlers don't have good emotional regulation because they're TODDLERS. What's her excuse? I can't stand the sound of little kids screaming either. In fact I find it absolutely maddening. But at least I have the sense to just turn up the volume on my headphones and mind my own business.

    Boo
    Community Member
    9 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    When travelling, earbuds and music for the win.

    Load More Replies...
    Kelbers11
    Community Member
    9 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The only time I’ve ever gotten mad at a family on a plane is when parents ignore their screaming children. They don’t even try to figure out what’s wrong with the kid, and instead make it everyone else’s problem. They CHOSE to be parents, and it’s not a part time job.

    ADVERTISEMENT
    Brian Droste
    Community Member
    9 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I hope OP doesn't prevent her and her family from going on vacation just because of one Karen complaining about her child acting up.

    Load More Comments
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