What Goes Up, Must Come Down

When I was younger, I remember how upset I would get when I would be on the same plane with a child.... especially a child right behind me. I remember, vividly, thinking, "Why doesn't this mother control her child? Can't she see that her daughter is ACTIVELY kicking my chair?" I would think the mother just saw me as a "free pass" for her child to kick my seat since I was young... but if I was an adult she would "control" her child a bit more... How rude she was.....

I think my beliefs were a bit ignorant at the time...

Let me explain a bit to all you folks out there flying on the same plane with a child... First, I want to apologize on behalf of all of us with kids. Yep, sucks to be you, you have to endure a 1-3 hour plan ride with a crying, kicking kid. But that's the thing, after that, you're done.

My last flight (from South Carolina to Texas) was awful. We had an amazing time on vacation for a week... spending the mornings on the beach and the afternoons at the pool... Lots of family, lots of good times... but this will mess up a child's schedule... really, lots of things can mess up a child's schedule....

Let me reminisce a bit more.... When Brady was just 6 weeks old I flew from Nebraska to Texas with him. It was great. Everyone smiled at us and EVERYONE helped us. I would just look at something and at least 2 people would ask me for help... everyone was so sweet. Somewhere between then and now peoples attitudes have changed drastically.

Let's start my trip from the beginning... Once we finally GET to the airport, (obviously running behind because NOTHING quite goes as planned when traveling with a child...) Today we were running a bit behind because Brady decided to sleep until 9am, and we needed to leave the hotel at 9:30... there was NO WAY I was going to wake up my child any EARLIER than he wanted on a day I was going to be traveling with him the whole day.....

We return the rental car, check in, and just have to get through security....

Did you know that when going through security a 15 month old child also has to take off his shoes? Yep... so in the middle of undressing myself for security, I am also trying to hold my child, and undress him, while also breaking down the stroller. Then I have to try and put this stroller up on the security belt while everyone watched me, while still holding Brady. Do you know how many people offered to help? Not one.

Finally, we get through security, oh, but wait, they have to do testing on Brady's milk, which may have some sort of deadly chemical in it... and while they are testing it Brady is screaming for his milk.... the milk I was trying to hide from him and give him on the plane to calm him down.... So much for that idea... had to give Brady the "chemical free" milk right after this.... glad to know it's safe...

After going through boarding, I once again have to break down the stroller to gate check it.... and once again, no help. Why don't I just set Brady down to do all these things you ask? Because he is 15 months old... he's mobile, very mobile.

I finally sit down with Brady on my lap, I pull out the books, crackers, and toys that I have brought to entertain him for the flight. I am excited that he is being so good, eating his crackers and letting me read to him.... Then.... the flight attendant says over the intercom that we will not be able to take off for another HOUR due to weather delays...

So, all my treats, books, and toys were not going to last. Before we even took off Brady was squirming and crying and doing everything he could to get down so he could play.... Could I really blame him? However, this does not make anything better.... I was obviously struggling. The plane finally took off.... Brady started kicking the lady's chair ahead of me, I grabbed his legs and repositioned and repositioned but all he wanted to do was kick that chair. By this time I had the worst headache ever and I was almost in tears... Whenever I tried to move Brady's feet so he couldn't kick he would scream on the top of his lungs and starting thrashing around (and consequently hitting the guy next to me...) To me, I had one choice, continue this or let him kick the chair.... I gave up. I let him kick the chair, only for about a minute.... until the lady sitting there turned around, looked right at me, and glared. It was just what I needed to break down into tears. It was my 16-year-old self glaring right at me... but in a 60-year old woman's body... It was awful.

I spent the next 45 minutes holding my son's legs down so he would not kick her chair, kick the man beside me (or his hot coffee on his tray-table), while he screamed, and screamed, and screamed. I hope your happy lady.... Now not only is your plane ride miserable, but everyone around us has the same awful experience... Well, except for me... because I am the one who has it easy... the one that is just sitting back relaxing and not "controlling" my child, right?