AIBU to think you're not able to keep toddler completely silent for 2 hours

[Decembersunset]

Still upset and wanted to check if IABU. I returned from holidays yesterday with my 3 kids, it was 2.5 hours flight around 1 PM. I put a lot of efforts trying to entertain the kids, brought lollies for take off, stickers, toys etc. Reminding my kids to keep quiet, don't kick the seats in front, putting seatbelts every 5 minutes. Still my 3 year old got excited and was talking loudly every now and then and sometimes shouting NO , and every time I resolved the problem so maybe 1 minute of shouting every half an hour. An older lady 2 rows in front kept turning and staring at me and eventually told me to to do something and keep quiet as she was sleeping. I didn't respond as I don't speak this language well and again tried to calmed my daughter. But I think she was unreasonable as I think it is rude to harass the stranger when they are already struggling. I travelled a lot before having kids including overnight flights and would never dream to tell off to a struggling mum as I know kids can't control themselves well and it is just part of life.

You didn't do anything wrong. And a short afternoon flight, that lady was being beyond precious.

Sounds like you tried your best and that’s all you can do, if she wants guaranteed sleep she needs a private jet x

For a 2.5 hour flight, a grown woman should be able to handle hearing an excitable toddler. She should have booked business class if her afternoon nap meant so much to her.

Thank you all so much ❤️ you made me feel better. I get that she was tired but I had experienced much worse e.g baby crying non-stop for 8 hour flight and just felt sorry for the mum as understood for her it was much worse as I could and get some rest once I reach my destination and she couldn't. Its reassuring many people are understanding.

If she wants absolute peace, she shouldn't use public transport, she needs to get her own plane. Oh she can't? well then she needs a set of noise cancelling earphones, as planes are filled with other passengers, who all make noise.

Sounds like she wants the peace snd tranquility of a private jet, when she's on a standard flight.

Kids made noise, are unpredictable and don't always do as you'd like. It goes with the territory.

You were doing everything you could. If you were ignoring them, it would be different.

She's the problem, not you.

What pisses "normal" people off is when parents clearly don't give a shit about controlling their kids on planes/trains/public places and let them run wild.

99.9% can cope with it when they can see the parents are actively trying to resolve the situation. Even if it is disruptive and/or the kid is not having any of it! Yes it is still annoying, but c'est la vie. We know you're doing your best.

Maybe the other passenger was on the last leg of some multi-stage odyssey and was tired and cranky. Maybe she had received awful news. Maybe she was unwell. Could be literally anything. But I reckon it was probably very little to actually do with your kids - it was probably just the straw that broke the camel's back for her. Think of it like that more than directed specifically at you.

I was on a 2½ hour flight recently, in the row behind a woman with a baby that screamed for most of the flight. My thoughts were that maybe the poor baby's ears hurt from the air pressure changes, she was tired, couldn't settle, etc. I just felt sympathy for the mum, she was doing her best. The horrible woman on your flight should try travelling with children and see how easy it is not!

Thanks for sharing your opinions and stories, I'm relieved to find many people are understanding in this scenario.

I agree with pp its parents who don't even try that are the problem.