Yes, it's true. Today we were THE family. You all know who I'm talking about... we were the family that walked onto the airplane and everyone took one look at us and groaned. They rolled their eyes. They sighed and tried to find a seat as FAR away from us as possible. You can hardly blame them... a baby, a toddler, 2 kids, a frazzled mommy and a grandma trying to keep everyone in one place. Yes. That family.
So we found our seats and struggled to get everyone seated, with their carry-ons, and tried hard not to whack the people in front of us in the head... we succeeded with that, mostly. Finally we were all seated, ready for take-off... when it started... the baby starts fussing... and all those who groaned before now groan a little louder. Slowly but surely the fussing gets worse and worse until the baby is having a full on meltdown... and some passengers glare, some cover their ears, some avoid eye contact at all expense. But still, you know they are ticked. Really ticked.
And the baby screamed. And screamed. And squirmed. And kicked the seat in front of him. And then he laughed for a bit. And then as we were getting ready to land and the cabin pressure changed, he screamed harder. And people got madder.
Then the plane lands and the sweaty, frustrated mom with tears in her eyes, holds the sweaty, frustrated baby who's ears are killing him, and they sit there... while the plane empties... and one by one the passengers file past their seat with the accusing look... "YOU ruined our flight. How DARE you let your baby cry. WHY didn't you make him be quiet?" *sigh*
And finally they are able to exit the plane. And the flight attendants cheer. And out of sheer exhaustion the baby falls asleep in the stroller. And the mom and the grandma breathe a sigh of relief. And they head to baggage claim where they get more glares. More condescending looks. More irritation. We were THAT family. I'm so glad we don't have to do it again for 28 days!
PS. Frank is back on U.S. soil! He should arrive here soon!
Friday, June 27, 2008
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26 comments:
IT IS UNFORTUNATE THAT PEOPLE ACT LIKE THAT ON AIRPLANES BECAUSE THERE IS NO ONE MORE UPSET THAN THE PARENT(S) THAT HAVE TO DEAL WITH THE CHILD THAT IS HAVING THE MELT DOWN. MAYBE INSTEAD OF BEING IRRITATED WITH YOU, THEY SHOULD HAVE TRIED TO ... I DON'T KNOW... HELP YOU. NOW THERE IS A CONCEPT.
MAYBE YOUR FLIGHT BACK WILL BE MUCH BETTER.
PLEASE TELL FRANK "THANK YOU" FOR SERVING HIS COUNTRY, WE REALLY APPRECIATE ALL THAT HE AND YOUR FAMILY ENDURES FOR US. OUR SON IN LAW IS ALSO IN THE SERVICE.
WE'LL BE PRAYING THAT ALL GOES WELL.
Well Renee, I'm glad you made it safely even if you were THAT family. At least you don't have to turn around and do it all over again in a week I guess. So when will you get to meet up with Frank? The kids must be so anxious to see him. You must be too. Good luck with everything. By the way, Joe is working the next two weeks so we should still be able to afford to come visit you in Philly.
Oh big hugs!! I have never been that family because I never even had flown in a plane until my 30's and Mercede was already over the age of 8. She is my only child who has flown, she loved it and it was cool for both of us to share a first flight together. Now one guy did get mad at her. He sat by her and when he got up to use the bathroom, she strapped her babydoll in his seat and she told him to "Get another" when he came back. One of the stewards gave her the Hi Fi for it and then spoiled her rotten the whole trip!
Many, many prayers!
for the trip back, snacks for cabin pressure changes - chewing is supposed to help. goldfish, or something chewy - if he can.
Thank you to Frank!
WooHoo! Glad your all there in one piece...What a trip. We too have been that family..not so fun :( But you can look at it this way the other passengers got more than just a plane ride they....got a story to write about on their blog...Some crazy family with a crying baby, toddler, 2 kids, and some grandmother What where they doing messing up my trip...could be the best story they've had in weeks..HaHa!! Hugs to you all & I'm sure Frank won't get out from under all the love for weeks!!!
I know the feeling. I am sorry you were that family today. I hope you all sleep really well tonight and wake up thinking it was a dream. You know cant people may help just for a minute? the entire flight may have been so much different if they helped instead of glared, talked, huffed and puffed. Dont feel bad.
It's pretty sad that people don't have compassion anymore like they used to and offer some help. Or maybe a smile. I feel for you! Flights are so hard on babies! Take care, honey! Get some good rest and I am praying for you. The button's on my blog!
Oh honey, I'm so sorry you had such an awful flight. I hope the baby's ear heals soon and that everyone is able to relax this evening.
On a side note, can you tell me how you took the stroller, because I need to take one for the conference and I have never flown with a child. No worries if you don't get to my question.
hugs
xo xo xxx
Sorry about the flight - but poor Keeghan - who can blame him for crying, he cannot express himself otherwise!!! Glad you made it safely! And glad to hear Frank is on US soil - how great! Please tell him thank you for his service for all of us!!!
Thinking of you all!
Beth
You poor thing! I know what you mean though. Glad to hear you made it there safe and that Frank did too. Have a good time (as much as possible, anyway)!
Oh boy! We have had the honor of being that family more than once, so I feel for you. Hopefully my girls weren't "those" unaccompanied minors today on their flights. ;) Enjoy having Frank home!
LOL I'm cracking up. If people can't have compassion, then heck with em. I try to be compassionate with kids on planes because it so easily could be your kid. Poor Keeghan ... I hope his ears are okay. Situations like this are when you just look at Keeghan and say loudly, "I'm not sure what all these people are staring at. They must think you are really cute. Apparently they think I like having you scream while we try to sit on a plane. Silly people." LOL
Been there... I still dry heave and try not to cry when I remember the hurtful comments we have received. Only by God's Grace... I am not in prison!!!
Say "Bey Haby" to Frank for me. We are praying for you all!
Oh I feel all tense just reading that! We have certainly been THAT family but usually I can escape with the offending child. Being on a plane? Oy!
I'm glad it is behind you and that you arrived in one piece, physically if not emotionally.
And I am thrilled for your family that you get this time with Frank.
And us to the list of people offering gratitude for the work he is doing!
Oh Renee I can completely empathize, but you know what? Screw those uppity people who think that you were ruining their flight on purpose. :P We were "that family" on our trip out to CA for my mother's funeral. She had set aside money for us to fly first class before she passed (which we didn't know about). Sarah ended up having serious diarrhea the entire leg from Chicago to Sacramento. The smell was awful. I felt horrible. Jeff was sitting with her and he heard someone behind us say "That's why they shouldn't let kids sit in 1st class." Whoever it was was lucky I hadn't heard that because I would have exploded on them.
I'm sorry you had such a rough time. But, you'll soon be a complete family again. Hugs to everyone!!
Oh Renee, I am so sorry that you had to deal with what people were looking and thinking. Poor little guy must have hurt really badly and just did not know how to explain it to you. It isn't like you wanted him to scream and make a fuss. I'm sure you would have enjoyed a quiet flight as well.
So glad to know that you are there safe and sound with all of the kids. Can not wait to hear news of your reunion with Frank - the kids must be so excited!
I am laughing because Thursday night WE were THAT family. There were 3 seats together and one seat 8 rows behind us...guess who didn't get that seat? Yes, me.
Daniel was on the floor. Then he ran down the middle to say hi to daddy...twice. Then he was standing on the seat. Finally, I closed my eyes and pretended that I was in that seat, only to see the flight attendant next to me. She was asking if everything was ok because Daniel pressed the emergency call buttom. Boy did I want a bloody mary and not just a v-8. It was the longest 2 hours and 40 minutes of my life.
My saving grace was when Curtis went to the bathroom and I quick switched seats with him...ahh, 20 minutes to myself!
Thinking about you...praying for you. Love you, T
I have to laugh- we have been "that family" before and it is a miserable feeling. Thankfully that part is behind you. Enjoy the family for the weekend!
Kayla
Oh Renee - I so wish something would have whacked them in the head - it would have been exactly what they needed!! Glad you guys are safe and sound - Granddude and family came over tonight and we were talking about you guys. Give little man some tylenol or motrin (whichever works better for him) and benadryl if he can take that before your next flight - did that for Addie on our way back from Disney (she had a terrible flight there)and it was much, much better!
Praying, praying, praying for that precious girl - and for all of you!!
Love you guys!
Since thre are tons of posts on here maybe someone had some ideas, if not, try looking up something like "helping babies ears on airplanes" online and see if there's something you could do. Thought I heard having them drink a bottle going up and down might help......you've got 28 days to find something....in your spare time.......
I'm sorry about the flight...I hope all is well now! Y'all have a good trip...as good as it can be considering the reason...and I'll be praying. I'll also fill you in more on the engagement when things finally settle down! Watch for the Ashley and Seth Wedding Blog...as I'm sure there will be one at some point! Also, if you get around to it, send me an address for your hotel...I still have goodies to send!
Take a bottle for him next time, the sucking will pop his ears. Older kids, chew gum.
Good luck, at least you didn't get kicked off the plane like the autistic toddler and his Mom.
I can only imagine how stressful this was for you!!! Atleast it is over & you don't have to see those people again!!
Wow, lots of comments on this one! But you know I have to throw in my two cents lol... we too have been "that family," and it annoys me to hear how intolerant people are. Like no one else has kids, or they are silent and invisible all the time? Please... glad you got there safely!
It was unfair of all those people to resent the fact that their flight was extremely unpleasant due to your children's screams.
I just read this one. I think you just described what we have all been through on a plane with children. The mother with tears in her eyes. Even if your child makes one noise everyone seems to have a problem with it. Even if your child makes no noise you still get the rolling eyes as you walk to your seat. You would think all of those people on the plane have never had a child in their whole life. I am glad things were better on the way home.
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