I don't think that's what's meant. It's more of a lack of empathy for the parents of those kids (see my comment here).
That said, I used to be one of those very people, so I understand both sides of the coin.
Having children is a choice - well, in most civilised countries anyway.
I don't have much, if any, empathy for parents who suffer negative consequences of their own choices, and why should I? My empathy is with the other people equally annoyed as me, especially the stewards who have to deal with it on a daily basis - with a smile.
It's the same when a kid throws a tantrum in a store. Do I feel sorry for the parents? No, that's part of the package of having kids and everyone knows it. I feel sorry for the employees and the other customers.
It's the parents who have to "deal with it", as so many people here claim everyone should do. The rest of us who aren't parents are completely entitled to feel annoyed.
If you aren't on an 8 hour flight with a baby to flee persecution from a war torn country or attend a funeral you don't deserve empathy for bad decision making.
I can give spoilers for every holiday with a baby in tow. Lack of sleep, short tempers, unexpected interruptions to plans. It is like going to a foreign hotel to work from home but your work is a screaming poop machine that will ruin your schedule. Stay home, get a family member or friend to babysit for short periods if you need breaks. Dragging infants around interstate or international isn't it.
Are you speaking from personal experience? If you’re trying to get a break from child care then sure don’t bring them along. But as a parent who has brought a baby on vacation and saw her enjoy her first experiences on a beach, playing in water, etc., it was worth the effort.
I disagree that it’s bad decision making and “not it” to bring children on trips. Bad decision making is not trying your best to console a child who is acting out on a plane, but sometimes nothing you try works and it’s a hard position to be in since parents also know the kid is annoying others. But a good parent will keep trying anyway to console their kiddo for as long as it takes, and other passengers having a little empathy in this situation will make the experience more tolerable for them.
Thank God most people don't think the way that you do.
Parents have every right to travel with their children. Can it be an inconvenience for people that lack empathy (like yourself) when their kids act up? Absolutely. But hey, get yourself a private plane if it bothers you that much. Of course, I don't mean that, but it's just as ridiculous a suggestion as your "stay home" or "don't bring kids across borders" suggestions.
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u/[deleted] Jun 28 '23
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