The funniest post I had the delight to run in my years of writing about parenting was an essay by Johanna Stein. She's a comic actor, producer, and director -- and the mother of a toddler who does not like airplanes. Or, at least, she did not like boarding one particular plane, which led her mother to frantically attempt to entertain her, which led to an unfortunate, but hilarious, encounter with an airsick bag.
Jojo has since created a video version of that essay. And as so many of you board airplanes for the Thanksgiving weekend, I offer this to you as a light-hearted respite. Or a cautionary tale...
Happy Holidays!
I mean, we HAVE to laugh right? otherwise we cry...and then..we cry again ;-(
We have twins, and having lived as expats - many times I had to travel alone with them on some trips while they were toddlers. Yes, they were hyper - as they should be at that age. I'm by no means a perfect parent, but traveling with toddlers - especially - involves anticipating their excitable behavior in advance and preparing fully for it. We always had them carry their own back-packs full of different activities to occupy their time, whether at the airport or in-flight. Coloring books, crayons, little toys, puzzles, games, disposable cameras, etc anything and everything that could and would distract their attention. I would even try to estimate about how much time each "activity" would take before they were ready to move on to the next.
That worked well enough for our travels over that time-period. Whereas most parents I know usually dread trips with their young-age children (especially toddlers), we actually used to look forward to our trips.
Not perfect parents, by any stretch of the imagination - but I'm SURE glad we never needed to use leashes for our
Here is my story of what you should do when you fly with kids. Some people may not agree with it, but it works for some parents!
http://ichoosehappynow.com/2011/11/23/cup-of-joy/flying-and-traveling-with-kids-advice-that-i-live-by-after-getting-karma/
Cheers,
Louise
You don't have the 'right' to subject the rest of the world to the bad behavior of your child.
And it IS possible for children to be 'seen and not heard' - this was the norm for generations. We managed it with two - whose behavior has been praised by every teacher, counselor or other person that's ever dealt with them. Our youngest would throw himself on the floor screaming when he didn't get his way at the age of 1. We 'broke' him of that behavior in short order - picking him up and depositing him in his room, while otherwise ignoring him.
It IS possible to teach even young children how to behave appropriately.
People who have young children have just as much right as anyone to take their kids any place they want. The only way they learn is by doing. Young children do have meltdowns, yes, but that doesn't mean you should lock yourself in your house until your kid is 18.
We have a 4 year old who has traveled all over the world and been to many fine restaurants in her short life. For the most part, she is well behaved because we have taught her how to do so. We bring things to occupy her and engage her where ever we go. We also do our best as parents to make sure she is well rested and not hungry. Not all parents can say the same.
Your attitude of children being "seen and not heard" is an antiquated way of treating children, back when teachers also hit them with a switch in the classroom. How do you expect children to learn how to behave appropriately in all different situations if all you expose your children to is life inside your house, the park or other places where only young children frequent?
My children have been taught how to behave and have impressed anyone they've come in contact with throughout their lives. Almost every teacher they've had has asked what we did to raise such children. They are astoundingly accomplished, involved and empathetic, Given that they've made it to college and high school I suspect their track record is a bit longer than your 4 year old's......
I make a point of making sure places I eat, cruise, fly have options for adults that don't want to deal with other people's brats.
There are those to feel the need to foist their ill behaved progeny on those around them.
http://www.amber-hinds.com
One folding travel stroller: $200
A great story to tell the rest of your life, especially at your daughter's wedding: priceless.