I suppose this effective method would be considered abuse?
When I was 2 or so, I had to go to the dentist. I was terrified. Screamed bloody murder. Mother was asked to leave the room.
The Doc proceded to put his hand over my mouth. I bit his fingers. He adjusted and clamped firmly on my mouth again. I continued to scream though muffled by his hand. He proceded to pinch my nose off and on—enough to breathe but little else. I quickly decided that breathing was more important than screaming.
Mother came back in and insisted on learning the trick. For the rest of her life, any screaming kid within earshot—the mother got a high pressure lesson from my mother in what she SHOULD do.
LOL.
I used it in counseling a few times. I’d tell the parents who were unable to find a sitter, that they could bring the child. However, I had a firm rule. Either they controlled the kid or I did, or they would have to leave.
Of course, the 2 year old was usually in charge of the parents. Even with that strategy, I usually found that the 2nd convincing was followed by not being able to peel the kid off my lap. He was usually desperate for limits and felt the caring in the limits compared to the wishy washy walk all over his parents standard at home.
“In the last few years I’ve taken several 14-16 hour long flights...”
Asia, So. Africa, Australia or ...?