Traveling with Kids

I used to travel quite a bit for pleasure; a long weekend in Maui, a quick flight to Las Vegas or a surprise visit to my parents’ house.  Ah, those were the days.  I was single and having fun…and dreaded flying with babies.  I hated those screaming little monsters who ruined my in-flight nap or who interrupted my gossip-magazine-skimming routine.  I was the queen of giving dirty looks to parents juggling their tots, diaper bags, car seats and carry-on’s. 

Don’t worry, there is always karma.

Having lived in Italy from 2006-2009, the only practical option my husband, son and I had for moving to America was via airplane.  Three plane rides and 24 hours after takeoff, we arrived at my parents’ house.  My son was that baby, and I was that mom (with an inconsolable infant). 

Today I read a travel piece on CNN about babies on planes.  I admit that yes, I was one of the people who hated flying with babies, so I totally understand where this segment of the flying population is coming from.  However, there is one bone I have to pick with the article.  One of the quotes was, “Babies should be banned from planes, movie theatres, restaurants, and any other public place for that matter. The rest of the world doesn’t think your kid is as cute as you do.” 

Seriously?  I hope the person quoted here was joking.  I don’t think that planes fall into the same category as movie theaters and restaurants—at least in our case.  Our flight was necessary!  I have never taken my son to the movies (I’m not that stupid) and I quickly leave the dining room in a restaurant if my son is getting noisy—but on a plane sometimes there isn’t much you can do.  My eight month old son was screaming so hard on our first descent that he puked. (We couldn’t walk around the plane in an attempt to console him.  The seatbelt sign was on.  It got ugly.)

On the second and third flights we assessed his allergies, and determined that he probably needed a small dose of Benadryl.  That worked for us, and kept the rest of the passengers sane.  Sometimes you gotta do, what you gotta do.

I’d like to personally apologize to all the moms and dads out there who were on the receiving end of my obnoxious glares.  I’m sorry.  I now have that kid and understand how hard it really is to travel with babies.  Karma.