How would you handle this?

[Shadowspider]

From the parent perspective, how would you deal with this situation if this was your child AND, how do you think this type of situation could have been prevented in the first place?
Toddler's Temper Ousts Family From Plane

[frankykeno]

Well actually I think the airline was more than fair both to their other paying passengers and this family with a three year old having a temper tantrum. They got their money back plus a set of free tickets as well. As a parent I completely understand a child acting out, however, striking her parents, crawling under seats, etc. by a 3 year old (we aren't talking an infant here) is likely an indicator that this child isn't used to listening to mom and dad or perhaps was unprepared for what air travel is like.

By 3 usually kids are mature enough to understand simple rules and going into an unusual situation they can be helped to understand beforehand what will be expected of them. I would have acted out with kitchen chairs what it's like to sit in an airplane, read a book from the library on planes beforehand, talked about the noises, etc., provided chewing gum to avoid stuffy ears (kids are more prone to these than adults on planes), made sure the child had a favored comfort item like a blanket or bear and basically just stayed calm but firm. It's not like a 3 year old doesn't understand being made to sit alone and be confined...they are still in carseats at that age after all.

Seems funny that the parent's complaint is they weren't allowed to comfort their child but I'm wondering how you can comfort a child that is under a seat, screaming and smacking you. Must have been a real dream to be trapped in that plane with that family. I think the airline made the right decision and was more than fair to the family. I would have been mortified if one of my four had acted up like that and disturbed other folks.

[Python-77]

I totaly support the Airline its their plane and the family was a guest aboard that plane. I can also relate to what the child was going thru, 3 year olds like one thing a routine if that routine is disturbed is can set them off top that with a child that isnt normaly told "NO" and is always being let do what they want and you have a receipe for disaster.

[Broseph]

i agree with the airlines also, after all who's the parent there??? they could of comforted the child by hugging them while they were sitting right next to them, just mom and dad on either side of the child to make them feel safe.

[SarahMB]

From the parent perspective, how would you deal with this situation if this was your child AND, how do you think this type of situation could have been prevented in the first place?
Toddler's Temper Ousts Family From Plane

I agree with Joanna on preparing a child before going into the situation, as I've actually done that with my son. But had the preparation not worked, I would have removed him from the plane without anyone having to tell me to.
Being a parent isn't always convenient.

[heatherhead42]

Oh, for goodness sake. The airline did exactly the right thing, and if the parents were smart they'd see that the airline did their kid a favor too. Kids need comfort, kids need routine. They also need to know that actions have consequences.

I try when possible to provide my kids with comfort and open arms, but there are times when what we want and what is good for us are different. And riding on an airplane without proper safety restraint is one of those times.

The airline did the right thing to insist that the parents take some time *off* the plane to comfort and help their child, and fly at a different time when the child's distress would not keep everyone else on the plane from making their connections and appointments. Fifteen minutes is more than enough time to get a kid either restrained or make the decision to try again later.

What's amazing is that a story like this even makes the news. Nowadays it's big time news any time someone is held accountable or has to make a difficult or inconvenient choice. Bleah. Whatever.

I actually had to make a very similar decision this past summer when everything in life seemed to be going wrong (things are much better now, thanks ). My two young children and I were nearing the end of a long trip home after an extremely stressful and difficult month-long trip. We had been delayed multiple times due to family and medical emergencies, flight delays and cancellations. We were desperate to be home again and we were getting ready to board the plane that would have us home in one hour.

The kids had become increasingly difficult over the course of the day and one of them had ultimately become extremely belligerent, angry, and loud. A part of me totally understood where he was coming from--I felt the same way after everything we'd been through. But I also could not see inflicting our personal distress on everyone on the plane.

I got down on a level with my child and I told him, very firmly, that he had a choice to make. He could choose to decide to cooperate even though it was very difficult. Or he could choose to make a scene and we would simply get out of line and reschedule our flight for a time when he felt he could cooperate.

VERY fortunately, he chose option number one and the remainder of the flight was smooth. I cried tears of relief when we got off the plane in our home town. But it only worked because he knows I was dead serious. I would not have hesitated to follow through, though it would have broken my heart and probably cost us a fair amount of money. He knew this only because it wasn't the first time he'd had to make a difficult decision and it wouldn't have been the first time that I'd had to follow through on a difficult consequence.

So, anyway, maybe that helps answer the question of what I would have done from a parent's perspective. But, again, I'm amazed that such things make the news.

Heather

[frankykeno]

Amazing isn't it that it did make national news. An upset kid, a bit of inconvenience and the parents "will never fly" with this airline again. Seems to me they ought to be glad the airline not only gave them back their money for what was not the airline's fault but they are getting 3 free tickets out of the deal. Funny world when we compensate people for things they do that are no one's fault but just life being life but they figure they deserve money for this...sure doesn't send a good message to that watching child does it.

[MedusasOwl]

Sounds like an episode of Super Nanny waiting to happen to me. Yeash!