Untitled Document Home
Chef & Hotel Profile
Publisher's Page
Gift Guide
Travel Adventures
Epicurean Events
Health Minded
Spa Baby Secrets
Sips
Book Bites
Culinary Coup
Sense of Style
Kids Kaleidoscope
Tinsletown Tidbits
Wheels
Radio Show & Links
Contact Us


KIDS K PAGE  .  .  .

DEAR PARENTS STOP APOLOGIZING FOR YOUR CHILDREN WHEN YOU TRAVEL

February 19th, 2017

I was recently on a flight from Atlanta (ATL) to Newark (EWR), and as I was settling into my seat, I couldn’t help but smile and engage with the cheery three-month old baby who was seated in the row in front of me.

The child’s mother seemed exceptionally nervous about having her daughter on board, and it wasn’t long before she turned to me and discreetly whispered, “I’m so sorry. We were going to drive home, but decided to fly with her. Please forgive me for forgetting to bring a token to pass out to her in-flight neighbors. It’s her first flight and we’re not sure what to expect.”

While I was super shocked that this woman had turned around to apologize for her traveling baby in the first place, what really struck a chord was that she felt like it was her obligation to pacify strangers just because her baby was sharing air space with us.

This silly idea that we must apologize for traveling with children is slowly becoming the norm. I blame the strange trend of parents insisting on passing out “in-flight goodie bags” that’s taken the internet by storm lately — it’s a ridiculous practice and it needs to stop.

As a mom of two, I always encourage people to travel with their children, and I don’t feel sorry for bringing them out in public — you know, into the real world — and that includes flying. Because newsflash: babies and children are pivotal to society. And it’s time for everyone to get over it and accept that children share the planet with us, too.

I feel like I need to take a step back and look at the bigger picture here. Let’s face it, America is one of the most un-family-friendly countries in the world. Compared to Scandinavian countries like Sweden, where family life is actively promoted and encouraged, the US just doesn’t seem to be as kid-friendly — just look at the length of maternity leave we get here, for instance. Here, it’s somehow become a glorified idea to keep our little ones sheltered at home and tucked away from public places as often and as long as possible. I can’t even tell you how many times people have asked me why I would take my children here or there if I didn’t have to.

The real problem in American culture today is the notion that children are a burden to society. Too many parents are becoming embarrassed by their babies and toddlers’ normal behavior, with many of them afraid of offending people when they’re out with their kids. The big question is, should parents have to apologize for flying with their children? Of course there will always be varying opinions. It’s a sensitive issue because every family may need or want to travel together, but it’s also the airline’s responsibility to ensure that every passenger has a comfortable in-flight experience.

This is where parenting comes into play. In my experience, most decent parents will do whatever they can to make sure their young children are behaving on the plane — believe me, as soon as mine start acting up, I want it to stop instantaneously, especially considering their crying is usually happening about two inches from my ear.

As a parent, I do my part to be 110% prepared whenever I fly with my little ones. I pack a ton of snacks, I show up with an entire screen’s worth of toddler-friendly apps on my iPhone and I make sure I show them the right way to behave through my own words and actions. It is my duty to take full responsibility for my children whether we’re on the ground or up in the air — and in public, in general. At the end of the day, we’re all up in the sky together, so let’s continue to show respect and just be courteous toward one another — tolerance and a positive attitude will get you a long way in life.

By the way, why do we feel the need to give out treats and receive rewards for the “inconvenience” of being seated next to a child? I don’t remember the last time I was given a chocolate bar for sitting next to a poorly-behaved passenger — or the man who decided to order four glasses of tomato juice when he’d already been passing gas for several hours. Or the bouts of #flyingfeet I’ve encountered throughout my travels. In all seriousness though, let’s just just keep flying fun and learn to be more kind and considerate of one another, especially when we’re spending so much time in such close quarters.

While the idea of handing out an in-flight “goodie bag” to your fellow passengers containing ear plugs and candy is certainly a nice gesture that shows you’re thinking of those seated around you, I think it’s wrong to preemptively apologize for having a child with you on a flight — or anywhere, really.

Oh and by the way, the baby on the Atlanta flight I mentioned earlier was a wonderful little traveler — no one heard a peep from her, and I know her mom was more than relieved by the time we landed. As we deplaned, I smiled and said my goodbyes… but not before asking the flight attendant to pass along a pair of wings to the pretty little girl. I hope that family continues to travel together in the future.

Have you traveled with small children? Please feel free to share some of your insights, below.

Angelina Aucello covers family travel for TPG and writes the popular blog, Angelina Travels. Follow along with all her travel adventures on Twitter and Instagram.

Featured image courtesy of Elisabeth Schmitt via Getty Images. Additional images by the author.

__________________________________________________________________

GIGGLY GOGGLES

Turning your child into the superhero of their dreams just became a little easier with the help of the fun, comfortable and stylish swim goggles by DAPHDAPH. The stylish designs and cool patterns help kids create their own personal identity while the special bungee band fits comfortably around the head without the need for adjustments and causing no pain.

 

Giggly Goggles, created by designer Daphne Kaufer, come in eleven whimsical designs and cost only $25. With distinct patterns ranging from Royal Princess to the Blue Hero, your child’s imagination can run as wild as they are! Fitted with fog-free, UV protection lenses give your superhero the ability to explore underwater and stay safe.

Giggly Goggles come in two sizes, Munchkin and Junior, and can even be personalized with a child’s name or company logo. The soft Neoprene outside and texturized rubber inside give these goggles great traction, hold and comfort allowing kids to put them on themselves without a fuss.  The patented design also has a ponytail portal in the back, so your superwoman can handle any situation without tears.

 

Giggly Goggles are currently available in 92 stores within the U.S. and Canada and can also be purchased on their website at www.daphdaph.com.

________________________________________________________________


2008
March 08 | April 08 | May 08 | June 08 | July 08 | August 08 | September 08 | October 08 | November 08 | December 08 | January 09 | February 09 | March 09 | April 09 | January 14 | December 13 | June 09 | November 13 | September 08 | August 09 | July 09 | September 09 | October 09 | November 09 | December 09 | January 10 | February 10 | March 10 | April 10 | May 10 | June 10 | July 10 | August 10 | September 10 | October 10 | November 10 | December 10 | January 11 | February 11 | March 11 | April 11 | May 11 | June 11 | July 11 | August 11 | September 11 | October 11 | November 11 | December 11 | January 12 | February 12 | March 12 | March | April 12 | May 12 | June 12 | July 12 | August 12 | September 12 | October 12 | November 12 | December 12 | January 13 | February 13 | March 13 | April 13 | May 13 | June 13 | June 13 | July 13 | August 13 | September 13 | October 13 | February 14 | March 14 | April 14 | May 14 | June 14 | July 14 | August 14 | September 14 | October 14 | November 14 | December 14 | January 15 | February 15 | March 15 | April 15 | May 15 | June 15 | July 15 | August 15 | September 15 | October 15 | November 15 | December 15 | January 16 | February 16 | March 16 | April 16 | May 16 | June 16 | July 16 | August 16 | September 16 | October 16 | November 16 | December 16 | January 17 | February 17 | March 17 | April 17 | May 17 | June 17 | July 17 | August 17 | September 17 | October 17 | November 17 | December 17 | January 18 | February 18 | March 18 | April 18 | May 18 | June 18 | July 18 | August 18 | September 18 | October 18 | November 18 | December 18 | January 19 | February 19 | March 19 | April 19 | May 19 | June 19 | July 19 | August 19 | September 19 | October 19 | November 19 | December 19 | January 20 | February 20 | March 20 | April 20 | May 20 | June 20 | July 20 | July 20 | August 20 | September 20 | October 20 | November 20 | December 20 | January 21 | February 21 | March 21 | April 21 | May 21 | June 21 | July 21 | August 21 | September 21 | October 21 | November 21 | December 21 | January 22 | February 22 | March 22 | April 22 | May 22 | June 22 | July 22 | August 22 | September 22 | October 22 | November 22 | December 22 | January 23 | February 23 | March 23 | April 23 | June 23 | May 23 | July 23 | August 23 | September 23 | October 23 | November 23 | December 23 | January 24 | February 24 | March 24 | April 24 | May 24 | June 24 | July 24 | August 24 | September 24 | October 24 | November 24 | February 08 | January 08

2007
December 07
| November 07 | October 07 | September 07 | August 07 | July 07 | June 07 | May 07
April 07
| March 07 | February 07 | January 07

2006
December 06
| November 06 | October 06 | September 06 | August 06 | July 06 | June 06 | May 06
April 06
| March 06 | February 06 | January 06

2005
December 05
| November 05 | October 05 | September 05 | August 05 | July 05 | June 05 | May 05
April 05
| March 05

© 2008 Bonnie Carroll, All Rights Reserved