Toddler Noise Pollution

     I would really like to request the passenger list for Southwest airlines flight 59, from West Palm to Baltimore and file an official apology for the behavior of my lovely little daughter. Let’s just say that sitting still in her seat, with her seatbelt on, at that designated times was NOT in her plan.

The flight there, while wonderful, really did set us up for disappointment.  Despite a really early wake up, a hustle to the airport, security and all the other “conveniences” of air travel, the kids were angels. Inhumanly so… I could bore you with the list of problems they did not cause and the ways they happily cooperated with the process. 

     I should have known that this kind of luck never strikes twice.  Maybe we tired them out over vacation with our multiple trips to the beach? Maybe the flexible nap schedule or sharing a room had them in a more fragile state? Or possibly, maybe they just didn’t want to leave because they were having so much fun?

     Whatever the reason, the result was heard by many. Here are few things I learned.

1-      Airplane seatbelts do not hold up to a thrashing 30 pound toddler. They do unbuckle during the struggle. That may be due to the wiggling, however, and not due to mechanical fault.

2-      When a child bangs her fist into the plastic wall of the airplane, it creates a reverberating echo that travels further than one would anticipate.

3-      The deafening white noise of the plane does not cover the intensity of a toddler’s wailing, unfortunately.

4-      You can rest assured that the windows are, in fact, strong enough. This has been tested extensively by my lovely daughters frequent and violent kicking. If she didn’t’ get out, the outside sure as hell ain’t getting in.

     I also learned that I have grown as a mom. I have grown thicker skin and I no longer believe that letting my child cry is going to break them. Sometimes crying can simply be anger, not sadness or pain. I have also grown a thicker skin in regards to the disapproving stares of my fellow passengers. I am reminded of the times, pre-parenthood, when I had the audacity to silently reprimand the parents of screaming children and wonder why they couldn’t simply control their own child. I send my apologies out to those parents as well, whoever and wherever you are right now.

     Finally, I have learned to truly embrace the roller coaster ride that is parenting. Bring on another day, I’m ready!