To the mamma on the plane with the screaming child…don’t apologize for your child.
Two weeks ago I flew as a single parent with my two kids who are both under 4. It was a mom’s worst nightmare that only got worse as the day went on. What started off as a family of four heading to the airport with enough time to spare, to us being rebooked onto a slightly later flight, ended up with us not making it to Dallas, much less our home by the end of the day.
It was one thing after another. I was stuck on a plane for over an hour with my whining and antsy kids. Other passengers were an amazing help. I had young girls and women around me who felt necessary to entertain my 18 month old son, while my daughter incessant whining turned into a full blown meltdown over the Kindle dying and her inability to watch Moana. And you know what? I accepted their help. I like to think I am super mom, but at the end of the day it truly does take a village. Whether it is friends in the neighborhood or at work, or the lady sitting across the aisle from you on the airplane. Mamas you can’t do it all alone, accept the help when it is given.
This week I flew sans kids and a family very much like mine sat behind me. Both kids reminded me of mine; the inquisitive 3 year and the rambunctious squirmy 1 year old. What bothered me most was not the 3 year old talking or the occasional cries from the 1 year old. It was the mother apologizing over and over again. Not one person gave her a side eye, or said anything to her. Her and her husband were doing great with both kids, yet she still apologized for literally everything. And it wasn’t just saying sorry to the lady next to her, she yelled down the aisle so most of the plane could hear.
Mama Don’t Apologize
Mama, whether you are on the plane, in a store or restaurant your child is going to cry, whine and squirm. Are there going to be people who get annoyed? Absolutely! But ya know what, sometimes there is nothing you can do about it. It’s their nature as a toddler – so why apologize for that?
The best thing you can do is try to identify the reasons for your child’s woes and address them as best as you can. Don’t worry about others and be the best mom you can be!
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