Flying with a baby is no easy feat. Between the loud noises, cramped spaces, and pressure changes, it’s a lot for a little one to handle. Yet, despite their best efforts, parents are often made to feel guilty for any noise their children might make during a flight. Recently, a mom flying from Seoul to San Francisco went the extra mile to ensure a peaceful experience for her fellow passengers, passing out 200 earplugs, Korean candies, and a pre-written note apologizing for her four-month-old baby who “might cry.” Sweet? Yes. Necessary? Absolutely not.
The Overwhelming Pressure on Parents to Keep Babies Silent
Air travel can be stressful for anyone, but for parents with young children, it’s often a nightmare. The mere thought of their child crying or fussing sends many parents into a panic, fearing judgmental stares, sighs, and eye-rolls from other passengers. It’s become almost expected that parents should bend over backward to keep their babies quiet, often at the expense of their own comfort and sanity.
This pressure is why parents, like the mom on the Seoul-to-San Francisco flight, go out of their way to “pre-apologize” for their baby’s potential noise. They fear being blamed for any disturbance, as if they have complete control over a newborn’s emotions and responses. But the reality is that babies cry—it’s how they communicate. And while it’s considerate to care about others’ comfort, it’s unreasonable to expect babies to act like well-mannered adults.
The “Good Mom” Image and Unnecessary Apologies
In the case of this mom, the gesture certainly showcased her thoughtfulness. Many people on social media praised her, calling her a “great mom” for thinking of the other passengers. But should her actions really be necessary for people to recognize her as a good parent? It’s as if parents are now expected to perform acts of over-the-top courtesy just to be seen as considerate.
The idea that a parent has to apologize for their child’s natural behavior reflects an unfair expectation placed on mothers and fathers alike. As one Facebook user rightly commented, “That was a nice gesture, but I think people need to be more understanding on flights and not make parents and their children feel so ‘unwelcome’ on flights. We were all babies at one point in life.”
Air Travel and Babies: Why Crying is Inevitable
Let’s face it: flights are uncomfortable for adults, so imagine what it’s like for a baby who doesn’t understand what’s happening. Crying is a natural response, especially when babies experience discomfort. For instance, changes in cabin pressure during takeoff and landing can cause ear pain, which is why many parents try to breastfeed or bottle-feed during these times to relieve the pressure in their baby’s ears.
Most parents already do what they can to keep their children calm and quiet on flights. They pack snacks, bring toys, and download favorite movies for older kids. But despite their best efforts, sometimes kids still cry or get restless. Because, well, they’re kids. Expecting children to be silent and still for hours on end is unrealistic. Instead, maybe it’s time we shift our perspective and show a little empathy.
The Double Standard: Kids Are Held to Higher Standards Than Adults
Ironically, adults are often just as disruptive on flights, yet rarely face the same judgment. We’ve all encountered the loud talker, the frequent drinker, the armrest hog, and the person who loudly watches videos without headphones. Yet, when an adult causes a disturbance, they’re often given a pass, or people just roll their eyes and move on. But when a child makes noise, it’s suddenly a major issue that draws ire and impatience.
This double standard puts parents in an unfair position. Why should they feel obligated to provide earplugs and treats to appease other passengers? It’s not their responsibility to placate grumpy adults who expect complete silence on a public flight.
Empathy on Flights: It Goes a Long Way
As much as parents can prepare and plan, sometimes children still act up. This is where empathy from fellow passengers comes in. Instead of shooting judgmental glances, a little understanding goes a long way. Traveling with kids is challenging, and parents are often stressed enough without added pressure from strangers.
Let’s remember that children, especially babies, don’t cry out of spite. They’re reacting to their environment, expressing discomfort, or simply feeling overwhelmed. It’s not a reflection of bad parenting or neglect—it’s just part of life. Offering a smile, a kind word, or even just ignoring the noise can make a world of difference for a stressed-out parent.
Parents Shouldn’t Have to Bear the Burden Alone
Some might argue that parents should control their children’s behavior at all times. However, anyone who’s ever been around kids knows that’s easier said than done. Babies and young children are still learning to understand and control their emotions. Expecting a baby to stay silent on a 10-hour flight is as unrealistic as expecting turbulence-free skies.
If noise is a major concern, adults are welcome to bring their own earplugs or noise-canceling headphones. It’s not the responsibility of parents to provide these, nor should they feel pressured to apologize for their child’s natural reactions. Parents are already doing their best, and a little compassion from fellow travelers can make the experience more bearable for everyone.
The Takeaway: Let’s Stop Expecting Apologies for Normal Child Behavior
At the end of the day, no one should feel compelled to hand out earplugs and candy simply because their child might cry. Children are part of our world, and they have just as much right to be on a plane as anyone else. We were all babies once, and it’s likely that we too cried in public spaces.
So, the next time you’re on a flight and hear a baby cry, try to remember that the parents are probably doing everything they can to soothe their little one. Instead of expecting them to apologize, let’s offer a little patience and understanding. Traveling is hard enough—let’s not make it harder for parents who are just trying to get from point A to point B with their children.
In the end, babies will cry, kids will be kids, and parents shouldn’t have to carry the weight of everyone’s expectations.
