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OPINION – How things have changed. At least, that’s what I thought recently flight from Sydney to New Zealand.
Getting bumped, elbowed, poked by the in-flight menu, and having crumbs spilled on me by a tiny human asking a hundred questions would, in the past, have caused me to roll my eyes in frustration.
And generally seen because of an unpleasant mood for the entire flight.
I was traveling alone on a business trip and had already been ‘demoted’ from a preferred seat at the front to slightly further back on the plane (see you later).
When I finally took a seat on the window above the wing, I was sorting my things when a mother with her four children arrived to take the remaining seats in my row.
Three of the children lined up across the aisle, while she and her youngest son sat next to me.
I could almost see and hear the ‘old me’ sighing.
This was a relatively short flight (three hours), but there were no TV screens on the seats to entertain the little ones.
That’s why the mother quickly took action to have her children prepared, with chewing gum for the ears, snacks and the like.
I spared her a glance. And I’m sure she often gets a frustrated look. But instead I looked at her and said:
“I’m taking notes.”
You see, I became a mother myself this past year. I’m preparing for a long-haul flight with baby in the not-too-distant future and I couldn’t help but just appreciate what she did.
It’s hard work traveling with children. Let alone four of them (all under 10 years old).
To be honest, I’m not sure why I was so annoyed by kids on flights. I think I missed the perspective.
They don’t understand that children are children, and most parents do everything they can to make the flight comfortable, for their children, for themselves and for the passengers around them.
After being reminded a few times that the tray wasn’t a toy, my little sitting buddy snacked on his lollipops and then spent the next 30 minutes happily coloring.
The other three children had eventually put on a children’s program on a phone to keep them occupied (which they dutifully shared with each other), and when I looked back a moment later, Mother was sitting with her head in her hands, eyes closed for a moment, no doubt the cherishing a few seconds of peace.
All I could think was ‘well done’
To anyone who feels the need to judge (or worse) parents who already have enough on their plate, please don’t.
All it does is make everyone feel bad. Yes, including you.
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