this post was submitted on 21 Sep 2024
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Linda is fine. Her non-stop crying baby on the other hand...
When my kids were infants, the last 1hr flight left em cranky and tired. At midnight, the cabin lights were dim and my son was wailing. My wife and I felt so bad for him and the fellow passengers as we tried desperately to comfort him. I vividly recall looking up and seeing quite a few weary, yet smiling faces as folks quietly supported us. That moment has stayed with me, and if you have a crying infant on a plane you'll get nothing but quiet support from me.
I was on a flight where the parents of a one year old brought a big bag of those cheap yellow and red ear plugs and just started passing them around the cabin. We amazingly didn't need them, but I have never forgotten that gesture. I'm pretty sure the flight attendants gave them all the drinks they wanted just for that.
I get it. I guarantee you, though, that Linda is having a much, much worse time than you are with the baby.
Nothing like being at ground zero and having nothing work and everyone on the plane judge you.
My kids were pretty good as infants on planes, but every peep they make makes you feel like major inconvenience
That's why I'm suggesting to eject the baby, Linda can stay!
You feel like a major inconvenience because you are, as a direct consequence of choosing to fly with your infant despite the likely consequences for others.
Sometimes it's impractical to travel otherwise.
Then you shouldn't take the trip. It's a sacrifice you're expected to make to uphold the social contract when your children are young.
What if my mom, who lives on the east coast, and hours by plane away, died suddenly and I'm unable to find a sitter?
What if the situation was reversed: the people who took planes were predominantly those with kids, and you needed to go somewhere?
What if someone imposed a 5 year travel ban on you?
You stay home.
Kids aren't a problem. It's screaming infants.
It was 10 years. I served 9. Now what?
¯\_(ツ)_/¯
We clearly have different viewpoints. Not much to be gained by continuing this discussion