Flying with a Toddler: They Hated Us
As a native Hawaiian transplant living on the mainland U.S., flying to and from Hawaii is really no big deal. Even when there are four children are involved. But last week’s flight was one for the record books.
My two-year old had an epic 90-minute meltdown during our flight from Atlanta to Honolulu.
Over the last nine years, I’ve flown with my children from as far as North Carolina to Honolulu. Each and every year I did so without the help of another adult and with nary an incident as well. My children are well-behaved, polite and respectful at home and school, but even more so while we’re travelling. In short, I’m the lucky mom traveling by plane with her four ridiculously well-behaved children.
Not this time around.
As we taxied onto the runway, my angelic little toddler morphed into a crazed tantrum-throwing demon. The screaming began and it didn’t stop for 90 long.torturous.minutes. There was nowhere to run, nowhere to hide and we were forbidden from removing our seat belts. I was stuck in my own personal hell and everyone on the plane hated us.
Hated.us.
I tried apologizing to the 50-something year old gentleman sitting next to me by explaining that my little girl had been traveling since 4am. My apology fell on deaf ears as he looked me square in the eye, narrowed his evil gaze and shook his head in disapproval. Did I mention that he proceeded to cover his ears with his airline pillow?
He hated us.
The unsuspecting woman whose seat was rattled by flailing toddler arms and legs?
She hated us.
The throngs of people who felt the need to turn around in their seats and pelt my weary mom-spirit with their disapproving, judgmental looks?
They hated us.
Thankfully, there were a few kind people on our flight who didn’t hate us. The incredibly sweet flight attendants who were compassionate and extremely accommodating. The sweet old lady who handed me a few tissues after she noticed the tears running down my face. And the handsome young man who entertained my daughter and made me feel like less of a horrible mom.
I sure hope our return flight home goes a little smoother.
Tags: Flying with Children, Motherhood, Parenting Challenges, Toddler
[...] My traumatic flying experience with my tantrum-throwing toddler. All you need to know for now is that we both cried for over an hour. On a fully booked flight. In front of strangers. Feeling sorry for me yet? [...]