To wonder what you do if your toddler kicks off on a plane?

[cucumberandlime]

Just thinking about this as had a horrible cinema trip with my toddler. And wondered how on earth you’d manage with running around, screaming etc on a plane?

It does seem like the difference might be children who like food! Both of mine have been very poor eaters as toddlers so snacks just weren’t something I could ever use for bribery or cooperation purposes.

You can control the environment to an extent. I take a blanket, pillow of some description, eye mask - we have a couple of pillow type things depending on flight times. Seat to sleep used to work but she's a bit bigger now and the last time we flew easyjet seats were definitely smaller

Mine sort of did. She wouldn’t watch anything on iPad or phone (did for 2 mins then just wasn’t interested). We wrapped little presents, had a million snacks etc. it was manageable but when it was time for descent I had to force her into her seat and lean over/pin her down as she kept escaping. She purple face screamed until we landed. She was only 2 and a few weeks and just wanted a cuddle but obvs wasn’t allowed one then. I was very stressed but everyone around us was very nice, offering her chocolate buttons etc. We only went as it was a big family holiday. I’m hoping it gets a bit easier in a couple of years when they understand a bit more!

Yes I guess so. But for us, to not go on a plane because there was a tiny weeny chance that they might behave in a way that they had never behaved before in their lives would have been extreme, especially as our entire family live in another country.

None of mine were/are big on food either to be honest. But for 2.5 hours they were entertained with colouring/stickers/games/an episode of Bluey etc.

It would be fine with just her or just her sibling, but together they are so silly and then they sort of listen to one another not me. So if I’m going to get anywhere it sort of needs the draconian ‘if you don’t stop X we will turn the car around / leave / not go to Xs party’ but I can’t do that on a plane!

I also always book DD in the window seat so she can look out/stretch onto me too

Of course you're right - if they, or anyone really, decides to kick off on a plane there isn't much you can do. If it were me I'd work super hard to distract distract distract, bribe, bring the serious voice and physically restrain them if it really came to it. But no one can predict it - and you can't get off!! You just have to push on through.

As far as other passengers are concerned I think the vast majority will be understanding if they see you are really truly doing your best, so try not to worry too much!

I think you can only judge your faith in their temperament, your tolerance for if it does go tits up, and make your choice based on both. Delay if necessary (and possible), you will leave the UK again one day!

You can threaten to not go to the beach / pool / park when you get there? Depends how long the flight is and here you're going I suppose

I flew with mine from when they were babies, it was always fine. Would never have taken a 3yo to the cinema though.

It's probably the only only time that all bets are off and he gets anything and everything he wants to make him play ball.

i can get my head round these threads?
We flew from Australia back-and-forth more times and I care to remember with four young children on my own and they never screamed. Why would they scream?

Is there another adult who would go? If so the two would be split anyway. One with each child.

I have four, under eight now, and we did it last year for first time. Just Spain. It was so exciting and tiring. Lollies for ears. But they were all wonderful.

I don’t think a plane to them sends the same run around vibes as a cinema. And we did lots of practice beforehand. I am a great believer in teaching when it’s a serious situation we listen. So yeah screaming and being fed up in a cinema. Fair enough. Doing that on a road side no chance. In the farm yard. No chance.

pick your battles, prepare your team.

my kids are no angels, by god the youngest is absolutely wild. And without a doubt was removed from the pool area for tantrums.

look at flight times as well. We flew at 6am. So up at 1am. Drive to airport, wee sleep, bacon sandwich, into plane. Massive excitement. Flat out.

Don't be so ingenuous.

There are loads of reasons why a child might be an unhappy plane passenger.

Not every parent has such perfect children.

What an excellent idea!!

I think that reply was taking the piss but now I’m not so sure!

But as to why would they scream - obvious ones are ear pressure, exhaustion, confinement, anxiety, too cold or hot, wanting something they can’t express, fear, confusion or nausea.

Then you have the usual peeling their banana for them, wrong drinks bottle, they want a particular toy that they haven’t mentioned for years, they want to play with Florence (my youngest was wailing this at 1am the other night) and someone looked at them.

Toddlers dont run around on aircraft as parents dont allow it

Literally that, would not have entered my children’s head to have been an option available to them.

Your Children’s response to being hot cold wanting something or nauseous is to scream ? suggest you nip that in the bud on dryland before you take them up in the air? How awful for everybody around them.

We did mostly ferries when ours were toddlers - much much nicer way to travel with littlies. Overnight ferries can get you to Spain!

NGL I hate people who take their little 'uns on planes.

I had a 13 hour flight to the states and someones kid was kicking, screaming and running around through the whole flight. That gowniak made everyone's flight miserable. The sleep deprivation even led me to have a seizure.

I wouldn't even risk putting anyone through that.

You talk calmly to your child and verbally acknowledge it’s boring for them and just keep casually chatting to them, and if a toddler explain there are rules on a plane to stay safe, ie. stay on knee or in seat (say in case it gets bumpy!!) Don’t worry what others think at that point. Sometimes on a plane it’s because their ears get blocked and sinuses get sore - get them to blow their nose, wiggle their jaw, and apply gentle pressure with your fingers over their ear cavity to ease pressure.

We had to get the ferry to Santander with ours once aged 2 and 1 for various reasons, it was hell. One of them vomited for 24 hours straight. 2.5 hours on a plane is far easier.

NGL I hate people who take their little 'uns on planes.

NGL I hate entitled adults who think they own public spaces.

Quite a common toddler response to be honest. Surprising you don’t know that considering how common knowledge it is. Their communication skills aren’t good enough to explain what’s wrong but they know they’re not happy. They’re still learning how to manage their emotions.