Traveling with a child can be a disaster for you, your child, and everyone else on the plane if they become upset for the plane ride. The longer the distance, the harder it will be for everyone to deal with a crying or screaming child. Being prepared for your flight is a must if you are going to bring children with you. But you already know that right?

One thing that you have to remember is that not everyone is as understanding towards your child’s crying or antics as you are. Many people flying suffer from anxiety, exhaustion, and migraines, and a kid screaming at the top of their lungs is not acceptable to them.

The problem is that most people will not say anything to your face. It is a child after all and people do understand that a plane ride can be a lot harder for a child than an adult. But that doesn’t mean that other people deserve to suffer around you because they are not willing to verbally get upset with your child or you. You, as the parent, have to be the one to be respectful of other people on the plane ride.

If you are heading out for a flight with your child then here are some things to think about from a childless person’s point of view.

Screaming and Tantrums

Maybe your usual way of dealing with an occasional scream session is to let it pass. Or maybe you usually let your child talk loudly knowing that if you try to stop it they will get upset. You may even think it’s funny. I’m here to tell you that most childless people do not find amusement in it.

I’ve had children screaming around me and parents laughing and looking at me as if it was the funniest thing they had ever seen and as if I should agree. I don’t. I find it rude and annoying that they would assume that other people find their child’s tantrums cute and therefore don’t even try to stop them.

I respect the parents who try to control their children and produce an acceptable behavior out of them more than the ones who let them scream at the cost of other people’s annoyance and irritability – even if the children don’t stop screaming.

Any noise above a regular talking voice should be controlled and dealt with. Other people do not have to find your kids as cute as you do. It’s not a law. Just as you don’t have to find other people’s pets cute when they bark up a storm.

Respect for other people’s ears should be at the top of your list on a plane ride as many people will be trying to sleep or relax before their next destination.

Kicking Back of Seats and Playing With Table Trays

There is nothing worse than just falling asleep on a long flight only to be woken up by your seat being kicked over and over again. There is not much room between seats on a flight and even the smallest legs can make a big impact!

Sometimes kids will find amusement in slamming the table tray up and down. This is equally frustrating for the passenger in the seat being slammed as kicking it is. And of course a child who bangs around in their own seat is disturbing the person behind them if their table tray is down.

These are things you have to be prepared for and watch for and stop before it even starts. When you see an inclination of feet kicking or table slapping distract your child with a game, toy, or song that they like. The passengers ahead or behind your child will appreciate signing much more than kicking.

Leaning Against and Touching Other Passengers – Invading Space

Kids are open to sharing space. They don’t understand what invading someone’s space is all about.

While you may find it cute when they lean against other people or touch other people I can assure you that the person being touched is not always pleased.

Airplane seats are already tight enough. A 4 hour flight squished between two people is not a fun adventure. Usually we cling on to any personal space we get during this time.

Other factors that make people not want to be touched are certain phobias, anxiety, migraines, and exhaustion just to name a few. This list can make even the most sociable person retreat into their space and get annoyed when it’s invaded; even by a child.

The point is that your child is not their child and therefore may not be as cute as you think they are when they are not conscious of people’s space. That’s why your job is to be aware of when someone’s space is being invaded by your child.

Electronic Games

They can be a great way to pass the time for your child on a flight, but they can also be a great way to annoy the heck out of the people around you. Could you imagine if adults were constantly using games that sing and make noises? The noise pollution on a flight would be intolerable.

Only bring games that have headphones. If it doesn’t have a headphone and you think it’s quiet enough then think again. Many people cannot tune out even the quietest constant noise and you will be surely making someone’s plane ride miserable.

Diaper Changes

Many parents can live through a dirty diaper for a period of time, but adults who don’t have kids are not just coasting through the smell.

If you notice that your child’s diaper needs to be changed then please change it. Many people already have a weak stomach on flights and certain smells can trigger a really bad stomach issue or nausea. Again, most people will not say anything to you but will be seething inside instead. Do them a favor and change your child as soon as you notice the smell.