Gifts for plane passengers

[Zillcat]

We fly in just over a week to Australia with our 9 month old twins (21 hour journey in total)
Talking to my brother today, he asked if we had organised a gift to other plane passengers... basically a note 'from' the twins apologising for any disruption from them as it is their first flight.

I hadn't considered it before, would you think it tacky or appreciate a small gesture from us?

I have packed as much as I can into the hand luggage to entertain them and there will be four of us travelling so enough to take turns walking the aisles too.

Any suggestions are gratefully appreciated!

[eurochick]

It's a bonkers idea. You're going to have enough on your plate without playing Santa. Just try to be as considerate as possible.

[Snipples]

No I wouldn't do it and I'd think you were really weird. Also they won't be the only babies on the flight so def no need for gifts of any kind.

[acivilcontract]

I've seen this on my US Facebook feed. It is a terrible and twee idea. I say this as the mum of twins who has often flown long haul with them. Put your energy into parenting your pair, the other adults can take care of themselves. You are sending out altogether the wrong message about people needing to tolerate dc as part of daily life.

[DunesOfSand]

You have more than enough stuff to juggle. Don't bother. It's not anything I've ever received, or seen given out, and I'm currently on 20 flights this year.

[PattiStanger]

I agree with the twee and American comments, I've seen it a few times online, it is a thing but please don't do it.

[Tumilnaughts]

Absolute madness. Just focus on your babies and if you're worried about their ears hurting during take off just give them the appropriate amount of calpol 30 minutes before.

[Bear2014]

It's a sweet idea but definitely not necessary. It sounds like you're very attentive parents which is all you can do. Baby haters on planes are unreasonable IMO, we all have to travel. You pay for your seat and your transport, not a soundproof bubble. Recently travelled with our small DC and an old man audibally tutted when we got on. He then proceeded to make way more noise than us with his loud talking, throat clearing and food rustling

[Catmatrat]

I’d roll my eyes at this

[AlwaysWantedToBeATenenbaum]

No way would I be giving people a “gift” of earplugs. Kids and babies have as much right to be on a plane as anyone! If anyone gets pissed off they’ll just have to get over themselves.

[PastaRedWine]

I have been thinking about this. I am flying long haul in a day or two. I think if anyone did this to me, I'd actually very politely give it back and say no need at all, I have had babies on planes before, and there's no need to apologise for you paying to take them with you.
Mind you, my tween is flying long haul on Halloween night. She has high hopes ALL the passengers will give her sweets for trick or treat 😆 I keep saying no way to her, and she's better not ask!!!!

[Cheeseplantandpickle]

Don't bother.

[Nakedavenger74]

Ugh. No! Embarrassingly twee.
I have moose canx headphones anyway.

[NannyR]

I wouldn't bother - I don't find babies crying that annoying on planes anyway, with the white noise of the engines and my headphones in, it's not that noticeable.

[buscaution]

Because you don’t have enough to think about flying to Aus with twin babies.

Not something I would even consider.

I don’t apologise for my children.

[JosellaPlayton]

Seriously, if you have space in your carry-on for that sort of crap, fill it with extra nappies, wipes and outfit changes (for you guys as well as the babies).

It’s a ridiculous, look at me performance parenting idea. Your babies probably won’t even be the only babies on the flight! Just do what you can to manage then disturbing other passengers- feed on take off/landing, walk them to the galley if they cry and take some toys. And relax as much as you can.

[Shampooeeee]

This sort of shit makes me cringe. I bet the people who do it are the same people who write naff wedding list poems.

Focus on parenting. The only time I’ve been annoyed to be seated near a tot was when the parents were completely useless and didn’t meet any of its needs.

I agree that babies sense when their parents are nervous.

[User24689]

I've flown back and forth between UK and Australia about 5 times with a baby or with toddler + baby. There have always been several other babies on the flight. Sometimes mine were the most disruptive, sometimes other passengers barely noticed they were there. I think the note would be a mad thing to do, can't imagine how people would even respond to it! What you're doing isn't unusual. Try to remember that it is public transport - people buy tickets in the knowledge that they might be sat next to a baby, or a snorer, or a smelly person, or someone who throws up on planes. Regardless, they can put their headphones on and turn up the volume on their movie - something you'll be envious of 🤣. Hope the flight goes well!

[Veryberrycherry]

My 4th time to Aus and ive just done this with a 3yo and a 8m old. I seriously wouldn't bother. I gave mine calpol before take off. My 8m old was ill with a fever on the flight both departing and returning with bronchialitis. Thank god i had Ibuprofen with me. It must be to do with oxygen levels as we're fine before the flights and put irritability down to teething.

Also most airlines give you earplugs on the red eye.

[serbska]

No way. That is super attention seeking. Do not do it.

[serbska]

if you're worried about their ears hurting during take off just give them the appropriate amount of calpol 30 minutes before.

They don't need pain relief, they need to be sucking/swallowing so need to be fed so they can equalize the pressure.

[dragonslair]

Ludicrous. I fly long haul constantly and yes kids cry. But I would rather you put your energy into comforting them. There are ear plugs in the headphone/eye mask pack things they hand out anyway.

[FendiJacket]

Ridiculously dramatic. We’ve flown all over with our children and most of the time other passengers couldn’t tell there was a baby/child near them.

Spend your effort on keeping the babies placated, not the the passengers.

[BeardedMum]

Nooooo there are always babies crying on flights. I can’t really hear them as i just wear ear plugs and they are not mine to deal with. I feel for the parents. Been there, done that and I think most people have...