Who lets their kids sing loudly on an airplane

[la79al]

A few thoughts as I read this thread- my 2 year old tends to make noise all the time. If it's going to be screaming or singing, I would choose singing. Any attempts I would make to make her stop singing would result in the screaming, which isn't going to stop. She's my third kid so I'm not new to the parenting thing, she just has a unique personality (a lot of the reason we spend so much time at home, out of public view). Secondly, I see people mentioning talking to the parents and if that doesn't work, talk to the kids. Honestly, with my older 2 kids, you would get a lot further talking directly to them. Embarrassment is a great natural consequence and I'm okay with that.

 

[nkereina]

Whenever we fly Southwest to Orlando, we often will opt to sit in the row right in front of the exit row. These seats are often last choice for people because they don't recline, but they are good for us because children are not permitted to sit in the exit row. So that guarantees no noisy or seat kicking kids will be behind you. The only row better would be on Southwest planes that have two rows of exit rows - the first of the two exit rows is ideal

 

[CarolAnn856]

A few thoughts as I read this thread- my 2 year old tends to make noise all the time. If it's going to be screaming or singing, I would choose singing. Any attempts I would make to make her stop singing would result in the screaming, which isn't going to stop. She's my third kid so I'm not new to the parenting thing, she just has a unique personality (a lot of the reason we spend so much time at home, out of public view). Secondly, I see people mentioning talking to the parents and if that doesn't work, talk to the kids. Honestly, with my older 2 kids, you would get a lot further talking directly to them. Embarrassment is a great natural consequence and I'm okay with that.

Honestly, if your child can't be in an enclosed space like an airplane without screaming or singing loudly the entire time, then they shouldn't be in an enclosed space like an airplane. And no, the vast majority of traveling 2-year-olds do not need to be on a plane. Those circumstances would be far and few between. As a parent, sometimes we have to make the difficult decision to sit something out or change plans based on what our children can and cannot handle and whether our child is capable of behaving appropriately in public.

 

[DizneyMommy]

I would be mortified if my kiddo did that, and I would have no problem telling that mom to put a stop to it. Luckily my kids are more respectful than that. My 2 year old is a great traveler. And I bring aaaaaaalllll the bribery for bad days, because every child has them!

And I should add, I have a special needs child as well. I know some kids truly do need to make noise, but they always seem to be the least disruptive and it’s the kids whose parents just don’t care that act like little maniacs!

 

[DizneyMommy]

Honestly, if your child can't be in an enclosed space like an airplane without screaming or singing loudly the entire time, then they shouldn't be in an enclosed space like an airplane. And no, the vast majority of traveling 2-year-olds do not need to be on a plane. Those circumstances would be far and few between. As a parent, sometimes we have to make the difficult decision to sit something out or change plans based on what our children can and cannot handle and whether our child is capable of behaving appropriately in public.

Respectfully, needing to fly with a toddler is not a rare occurrence. That’s an odd statement. There are hundreds of reasons someone would need to do that. You may not think it’s a “need” but that’s not really for you to decide. There are plenty of ways to keep a kiddos busy and happy on a plane, and when all else fails Benadryl is a beautiful thing (according to our pediatrician, we’ve never needed to resort to that luckily!)

I really dislike the notion or attitude that planes are for adults and children should not be seen or heard if they are going to be so priveledged as to be allowed to fly. :-(

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

I've flown hundreds of times and I can count maybe twice, three times tops when a child has misbehaved while the parents did nothing.

You’re either REALLY lucky or I’ve been REALLY unlucky...

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

I really dislike the notion or attitude that planes are for adults and children should not be seen or heard if they are going to be so priveledged as to be allowed to fly. :-(

Parents should do EVERYTHING humanly possible to see to it that their kids do not become other passengers’ problems — that’s the key IMO.

 

[wvjules]

Children can be seen and heard, just as adults. Screaming and singing isn't appropriate behavior for anyone on an airplane. Be respectful of others' no matter your age.

ETA: OP here the answer to your original question "Who lets their kids sing loudly on an airplane?"

A few thoughts as I read this thread- my 2 year old tends to make noise all the time. If it's going to be screaming or singing, I would choose singing. Any attempts I would make to make her stop singing would result in the screaming, which isn't going to stop. She's my third kid so I'm not new to the parenting thing, she just has a unique personality (a lot of the reason we spend so much time at home, out of public view). Secondly, I see people mentioning talking to the parents and if that doesn't work, talk to the kids. Honestly, with my older 2 kids, you would get a lot further talking directly to them. Embarrassment is a great natural consequence and I'm okay with that.

 

[Pink Partridge]

A few thoughts as I read this thread- my 2 year old tends to make noise all the time. If it's going to be screaming or singing, I would choose singing.

Please choose being polite to the ones around you. I would be disgusted if you shrugged your shoulders and thought "At least he's not screaming" while your child sang loudly on a flight and disturbed everyone.

 

[msjprincess]

Please choose being polite to the ones around you. I would be disgusted if you shrugged your shoulders and thought "At least he's not screaming" while your child sang loudly on a flight and disturbed everyone.

I agree. If we were home I would pick singing over screaming. In a public place neither is acceptable.

 

[disykat]

My son does pretty good now but when he was shorter it seems like hit feet would always be bumping into the seat in front of him. We would always try to put him behind another child. Everytime he would move around I'm sure the seat in front of him thought he was kicking the seat.

If his feet were hitting the seat in front of him, he WAS kicking the seat. Whether it's purposeful or not, the result is the same. I think people are willing to be forgiving of a few accidental "kicks," but continual jostling is not okay. Same with this parent who has the child who is singing. They think because it's not screaming, it's okay. They neglect to realize that the NOISE is still bothersome even though it's intent is not naughty.

Obviously you knew enough to try to prevent the problem because you understood it would bother the people in front of you. Some parents don't.

 

[Marchand63]

Well you are from the Evil Empire sorry Bostonian here. Couldn't resist

You're assuming that all 20 million people live in NY City ... and are Yankee fans. [/QUOTE]

I always ask - Mets or Yankees? But really doesn't matter. Yankees, no Mets Bucky ....... Dent.

 

[MamaBelle4]

If it was just during take off or landing as a nervous energy thing, I could understand it. My middle child laughs uncontrollably on amusement park rides that frighten her, but she loves it and goes right back on.

But singing the entire flight is inexcusable and rude. I would have been mortified if my kids behaved like that and it would have been shut down very quickly.

 

[CarolAnn856]

Respectfully, needing to fly with a toddler is not a rare occurrence. That’s an odd statement. There are hundreds of reasons someone would need to do that. You may not think it’s a “need” but that’s not really for you to decide. There are plenty of ways to keep a kiddos busy and happy on a plane, and when all else fails Benadryl is a beautiful thing (according to our pediatrician, we’ve never needed to resort to that luckily!)

I really dislike the notion or attitude that planes are for adults and children should not be seen or heard if they are going to be so priveledged as to be allowed to fly. :-(

No, most flights by a toddler aren't true needs. Most are likely vacations and visits. They certsinly aren't going on business trips, lol. Other means of travel are usually available, although possibly less convenient. And other than moving overseas or a medical issue, I'm having difficulty thinking of other true needs for an international flight (since driving and train travel are obviously not options).

And I'm not sure how you could possibly get the seen-but-not-heard idea from my post. The person I quoted was hardly referring to her child making normal kid noises. Screaming and constant singing are not normal kid noises that people should be expected to hear.

 

[mamacatnv]

I travel with a couple of sets of earplugs, earbuds, a pillow and a good book.
Noise/rude passengers is going to happen, especially on an airplane. Being confrontational will just make matters worse, if the flight staff ignores it, then I am going to ignore it.
Meanwhile, earplugs in make a huge difference.

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

I travel with a couple of sets of earplugs, earbuds, a pillow and a good book.
Noise/rude passengers is going to happen, especially on an airplane. Being confrontational will just make matters worse, if the flight staff ignores it, then I am going to ignore it.
Meanwhile, earplugs in make a huge difference.

I don't consider it "being confrontational" to ask someone nicely to try to have their child keep it down, or to ask the flight attendant to do the same.

Wearing earplugs gives me a headache. Not sure why I should be expected to tolerate that, and a parent not be expected to try to keep their child from disrupting a plane full of people.

Common courtesy. Sadly, not so common anymore.

 

[Summer2018]

We never have that problem on Alaska Airlines when flying to Orange County airport from Seattle. Must be an east coast thing. Probably New Yorkers.

Do I detect sarcasm?

 

[amberpi]

My man's 2 and 4 year old know better without being told...having taken 100s if not 1000s of flights in my life; I can't say I've ever experienced a child singing through the whole thing. That sounds like hell. I'd have talked to the flight attendant and then started enlisting passenger allies...but that's me and I largely have a hard time not throwing rocks at kids en toto.

 

[Summer2018]

Parenting is a dying art. As a veteran teacher, I have witnessed the decline in good parenting over the years.

At the beginning of each school year, it seems as if I am the very first person to say, “No,” to many of my new students. I have to deal with more tantrums than ever, the kind of tantrums you typically see in a two year old. Parents are intimidated by their own children. Usually by Halloween, I am able to transform them into civilized individuals, but that’s only in my classroom. It does not translate at home unless the parents do their part.

I see such ridiculous behavior from children out in public. It’s really a shame. I can’t imagine being trapped on an airplane with them. My worst nightmare.

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

but that's me and I largely have a hard time not throwing rocks at kids en toto.

I'm reminded of how much I like you...