How should you deal with a child who will not stop kicking your airline seat and a mother who refuses to intervene? How should a flight attendant get involved, if at all?
How Do You Handle A Child Who Will Not Stop Kicking Your Seat On Airplane?
Let’s first setup our discussion via the video below:
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It seems clear to me this is a simulated situation, similar to the odd video of the woman creating a plastic wrap fort around her. This is probably a crew training video that was recorded for a discussion like we will have here.
However, these scenarios are not purely hypothetical: I think we have all been in situations in which a child behind us has kicked our seat.
This makes this particular situation an interesting discussion. The man is not unreasonable to ask the mother to ask her child to stop. It seems to me, here at least, that the mother could have tried harder to instruct her child to stop kicking the seat instead of essentially saying, “Kids will be kids.”
I dislike the zeitgeist that adults cannot talk to the children of other people. I do warn my kids about talking to strangers or accepting gifts (especially candy) from them, but it does not automatically bother me if someone approaches my kid and talks to them (just don’t always expect a response). Here, the wife of the agitated man nicely asks the kid to stop kicking and that sets off the mother, who demands that she not speak to the kid.
Questioning the parenting style or, even worse, calling the mother a bad mother is not constructive toward getting the child to stop kicking.
I presume, if this is a flight attendant training video, the next segment or at least discussion point is how a flight attendant should intervene.
This appears to me to be a case in which a flight attendant should indeed intervene. The passengers have been unable to work out the matter amicably and tensions are rising.
Practically, the man and woman could have switched seats, which would have immediately ended the seat kicking for the man and given more time to think through a solution. On the other hand, by principle, a person who is being disturbed should not be the one who has to move.
If I’m a flight attendant here, I try to re-accommodate the disturbed passenger to a better seat and if the flight is full, I apologize to the man, ask the woman to continue to instruct her child not to kick (not sure you can do more than that), and issue some compensation to the man…just to shut him up. Too generous? Perhaps, but better than frayed tempers which could escalate into actual violence.
CONCLUSION
We’ve all faced situations in which children kick the seats in front of them. While a totally legitimate gripe, yelling at the mother for not controlling her child is probably not going to make the situation better…it will just make it worse. On the other hand, parents must do more than ignore their child disturbing others. Certainly, some children are worse than others with this sort of thing…it is how they are hardwired…but parents must make every effort to reduce seat kicking.
I actually have more problems with adults who are seat kickers or pound on their laptop keyboards on the tray table like it’s an old manual typwriter.
I’ve been in a position quite a few times where a child has been kicking my seat, shouting constantly or just running up and down the aisle. In all but one instance have the parents been trying to do everything in their power to calm them down/stop them. Sometimes they’re not able to, but I appreciate their effort.
It’s the obstinate parent(s) that are the problem imo.
A few well placed slaps on the legs works every time. A poor excuse for a mother, more like n egg donor.
Well said!
The parent has a duty to ensure that his or her children not create a nuisance on the plane. If for whatever reason that is not within his or her capabilities, then it is simple: the children should not be flying.
A passenger shouldn’t be uncomfortable traveling on the trip because they paid for their tickets just like the parent with that child parents should be more considerate and learn how to chastise their child and train them how to travel and not disrespect people, That is irritates people kicking the back of the seat so the child was wrong and every way. The mother is just as bad. So the is a reflection of the mother behavior.
The kid should have been removed to the baggage compartment
I remember once as a kid really tapping out a nice drum beat on the tray table. I went on for a long time before the person in the seat turned around and asked me to stop. I was a kid and had never considered that it might be bothersome to the person in front of me.
I promptly stopped. Even all these years later when I think about it, I still feel a little bit bad about it.
I look back on that now and wonder why my parents, who were generally pretty strict disciplinarians, didn’t say anything earlier. Maybe they hadn’t noticed. I do remember getting “the look” from my parents when the person asked me to stop.
You were just a kid… I wouldn’t worry about it… people do alot of strange things around me and I am perfectly capable of ignoring it… some adults act like children when they allow things to get kn there nerves.. they never learn patience or tolerance or maturity.. they still gripe and moan at the littlest things… trust me.. this was on them, not you.. your just did what kids usually do. .
It’s only a short clip but seems like the mother is making no effort to stop the child. If I were in her position, I’d be mortified but she doesn’t seem to care that it’s bothering the other passenger. I agree that the child has not being taught proper manners and should not be flying.
I agree this child hasn’t been taught to respect adults or people. The m9ther is a terrible mother & rude person.
Just like there were areas for smoking and non smoking there should be designated areas for people flying with children under 12.
Airlines should be able to put a flight ban on parents who cannot control their children. Some “antics” could lead to dangerous situations as well as stealing a purchased service, i.e. a safe & calm flight. You may think that your child is special. They have to learn that the rest of the world doesn’t share your opinion.
Children need to be prepared for new experiences. Some basic instruction on what is expected. Of course that requires the parent to know the etiquette. Maybe there is a pamphlet that could be sold or give out at the gate.
Wonder if those Pan Am training videos that went viral prompted them to make some of these for training
Quietly turn around and tell the kid santais fake….
Parent and child should be removed.
Why don’t other airlines have manners/behavior videos like Japanese airlines? In addition to the usual safety demonstration, there’s also guidance on being mindful of reclining seats, do not kick the seats, opening and closing the tray, arranging baggage, not drinking too much, not photographing without permission, not interfering with crew, etc.
is there a baby daddy? maybe that’s it.
Do YOU have or are YOU a “baby daddy”???!! You racists take every opportunity to spew your garbage. In truth, it is usually caucasoid children who act out on airplanes, not Black kids. Your assumption that this video is real and your presumption that this woman is not married are reflections of YOUR garbage mind!
Seems clear to you it’s a simulation? What have it away, the fact that there is a pillar in the middle of the seats? Maybe that there are no windows?
Mother and child should be removed. She’s taking no responsibility. Bad example. Horrible
Give the kid two benadryl, and duct tape him to the seat
If you can do that, you can teach them to behave. My Mother was tiny but could control an obstreperous classroom with an eyebrow.
It’s unpopular to say but race is likely a factor here. The same one that commits the highest level of violent crime everywhere on the planet is the same one that has the highest lack of self control and restraint compared to the others. While genetics mean no matter how a pit bull is raised it will always be prone to violent attacks, and maybe no matter how much time parents spend or how many trillions are spent on education as well, it certainly doesn’t help that this one has the lowest two parent household rates, highest born out of wedlock rates, and are notorious for not training their kids. It’s why we see drugstores and clothing retailers in certain cities shut down and mass rioting. Parenting is not the focus, although, I admit it probably doesn’t matter.
The U.K. rino equivalent at least wants to ban American bully dogs. We live in a world where it’s a crime to tell the truth and be honest that some are the sources of every problem and disruption and our lives are made no better because of it. A German Shepard, Poodle, Maltese, or Golden Retriever exist. There is no reason we need violent pit bulls around.
John not all black people is like that. You drop all into one basket. I travel a lot some white people are just as bad. It comes from both sides.
Your excerpts tells exactly who you were writing ✍️ about.
Those people were actors in an employee training video. You sir, are ridiculous!
And there are certainly people in the world who are so insecure with themselves that they have to find the first chance they get to be racist to feed a false sense of superiority. No race is better and you are certainly not.
Do you feel better for having an opportunity to vomit your racist detritus?!! While you claim Black people to be more violent, let me remind you of some truths: Your people traveled halfway around the world to kidnap and spirit away millions — even young children — from Africa to beat, enslave, exploit, deny rights to, rape and even murder. Your people murdered six million Jews during the holocaust, along with about five thousand others, including Black people AND asked the US for info (which was given!) on how to destroy an entire race. Your people commit more than 90% of the mass murders in the US and are usually the serial killers, as well. There have been more than 300 riots in the US and fewer than 10 were started by Black people! Those which were had small numbers of dead at conclusion. Those started by racists had hundreds of dead at conclusion — Brownville, Tx; Rosewood, Fl; Tulsa, Ok; and New York City — just to name a few. Illegitimate children are commonly born to Black and caucasoid women alike and there are more than 1.4 million abortions performed yearly in the US on women of EVERY ethnicity! You surely need to learn about the REAL history of this nation! In addition, let me inform you: Racism is a MENTAL illness and you certainly seem to be afflicted with it!
You’re an idiot, Get over yourself Molly. You poor victim, you.
I’ve had this happen to me a few times. I’ve had success saying to the mom or dad that I’m sure they aren’t aware how much their child has been kicking my seat and if they could please try to get them to do it less, that I’d really appreciate it.
The best way to hand this situation is to calmly say to the mother, “If you cannot control your children, you should have them aborted.”
Let’s say not gotten pregnant or given them up for adoption. Surely, no one wishes to compound one poor decision with another. We all make mistakes but ending a human life to cover it up is not sane.
Seat kicking marginally more annoying than adults who cannot stand up without hauling on the seat in front. Almost every flight I feel my seat pulled backwards as the person drags themself up. It’s so unnecessary, I never do it; if I need help standing, I push on the armrests.
When I notice them return to their seat I press the recline button, so they sit down more quickly than they expected!
I’ve seen better acting from drunk politicians.
The mother is totally in the wrong. She is not even doing the bare minimum that she is obligated to do, which is to tell the child that he is expected to refrain from kicking someone else’s seat.
Ya’ll too nice lmao, if this was the opposite people would be calling him entitled privileged racist white male misogynist narcissist masochist bigoted comminuted pivoted to the point that the English dictionary would have to add new words
There is nothing worse than some idiot using your seat- back to lower themselves back into their seat and then letting go of it like it was a slingshot and your head lurching forward and hitting the seat in front of you. Unbelieveable!
That guy is hot. I’d totally do him.
I don’t know… with the supercuts haircut and the cheap white shirt, plus he’s flying in economy, on an airline with no windows, so he may need to work on his career before getting much attention.
Also he suggested to the mom that she read a parenting book. What is this the 1990s? Reading a book is useful advice in concept, but in execution it’s probably going to be at least a week before she find a place that still sells books and then read one and apply the new information. It sounds like he’s not too tech savvy– he could have suggested that she read a blog or consult an online parenting expert– a cheap dresser/traveler and doesn’t know tech? This doesn’t look good for his job prospects.
Kids kicking the seat in front of them is often reduced or stops altogether if their parents have them take their shoes off. I’ve kindly suggested this on many flights and both the parents and I have a better flight.
Bravo!
This is a fake video and of course the “victim” is blaq.
It’s designed to perpetuate the blaq victim complex.
Why do you think the victim is black? If anything, the victim is the white guy.
Well, those people like to victimize themselves and pull the race card whenever something inconveniences them or makes them look bad. Afterward, they loot stores and beat people like us to vent their anger and blame it on white supremacy and capitalism.
Do you know how ignorant it is to say “Those people like to victimize themselves”? If we did “victimize” ourselves, wouldn’t we then have to pull the “race card” on ourselves???! I don’t believe you are of Asian heritage. More than likely, you’re just someone who wanted an opportunity to vent your racism. Feel better now?
Somewhere I read that an airline is or will be trying out ALL ADULT passengers and I totally agree. Although adults can be jerks too. Remember, expect the WORST because you are just not in your own private space in an airplane and anything can happen.
If this was real, he should’ve gotten a hold of the flight attendant and let her handle the situation. I remember one time I got on the flight and Was seated next to a gentleman that smelled horrible. So I got up and went to the restroom. Stop the flight attendant explained the situation and asked if there was any way she could move me but she did. Problem solved.
Where was the Flight Attendant? Why did the PILOT have to deal with this child??? Most importantly WHY was this child REWARDED With a Trip to the COCKPIT???
There is a race issue here but I have a different take on it. If the man sitting in front had been black, either the kid wouldn’t be kicking in the first place or the mother would make something of an effort to stop him. Because he’s white neither of them care, him kicking the seat is revenge for all the supposed “white privilege” the man has.
I’d find a way to make their ride equally miserable too. Maybe take my shirt off and fling it over the back of my seat towards them every minute or two.
The kid sucks, the kid’s mother sucks, and should be remanded to parenting school. If flight attendants are involved, they suck, and should be retrained. I had an issue on a flight to Europe, and a 6’6” teenager, sat behind me and knees immediately hit my seat in the back. I immediately spoke to the kid and his father setting next to him. The father and a flight attendant defended the teen because he was very tall. I explained that was no excuse for an invasion of my personal space with knees in my back for a very long flight. Plus the kid should sit up in the seat, as oppose to laying down in the seat. My complaint solved the problem.
I also have issue with people swinging on the back of my seat to get up out of their seat, and setting down. If you’re dozing, you get whip lash when they suddenly jerk the back of your seat. It appears people are just inconsiderate and don’t give a shit.
I just turn around kneel on my seat, prop my elbows and stare at them. Literally, she would have stopped that kid. I do the same aggravated action back at inconsiderate people.
No disrespect at all. This happen to me I was 7 months pregnant at the time and this young man was 17 years old. Beating on the tray. Of course the mother tried to holler at me. Until I stood up and said I’m 7 months pregnant. It would be an ugly situation. Handle that situation now because truthfully if he is your child teach him now. Don’t wait until we have to deal with him later in life or until he puts hands on you mom, seriously. Your battle was incorrect. What the man should have done was traded seats and make sure you felt the aggrevation.
Very simple solution. The man should get up from his seat and sit in the empty seat in back of the woman. Now (keep kicking) the h— out of the back of her seat as hard as you can.
Perfect solution: Equip the Mother & child with parachutes & have them exit the plane to fly the friendly skies via the scenic route.
Lean your seat all the way back.
I would have taken the child to the bathroom, and warned him. Or probably would have warned him in the first place then if he continued, take him to the bathroom, scold his behavior, probably tap his A$$… stop playing with me…
The kid has a lot of energy and appears to like the feel of his shoe clas foot hitting the seat. Almost a feeli g of power or strength.
Suggest to the Mother that removing his shoes may reduce the impact to the seat as well as his feeling of power. He also won’t be able to kick as hard as it would eventually hurt his feet.
I felt really bad on my last flight. There was a young child behind me or a few rows behind. The child was just talking or making happy noises. I thought it was cute. The parent kept shushing the child. I get it, she doesn’t want to disturb anyone.