I can sympathize with parents of crying children on flights. It isn't easy. My wife and I used to always fly home and once the kids started coming, we opted to drive. When my father passed away this past November, we had no choice but to fly from Florida to Denver and back; my wife, myself and our 4 and 2-year old sons. To make matters worse, the flights were packed and the airlines couldn't seat us together. My wife and kids at one end of the plane and myself at the other.
Thank God for iPads! Of course, the kids eventually got fussy and wanted to see what dad was doing so they were up and down the aisles, fidgeting in their seats, etc.
Yeah, it sucks trying to fly with small children. And I wholly expect to be deluged with replies by other FReeper parents whose toddlers behave perfectly on flights and that my childrens' restlessness is indicative of my failure at proper, Biblical parenting.
Yes, you are a failure. Say 3 Hail Marys and stay off planes ;)
"They are only doing what it is socially unacceptable for me to do. I have three kids, so until your kid's head spins all the way around and he starts talking like the devil, I won't be shocked."
The biggest mistake parents make when flying is bring the wrong stuff and bringing too much of it.