So...your kids were well behaved, because you actually parent your children, and people complimented you? At whom, then, is this "don't automatically judge children to be disruptive" comment directed? Did someone accuse your children of being disruptive? If not, what is the purpose of your comment?

that was addressed at the people (who, like in the article) immediatly upon boarding start voicing their complaints without even having been exposed to any (possible)bad behaviour yet!. just seeing children is enough to set of some people, even tho they have no incline at all if these kids are great wel behaved travelers, or a nuisance. Sounds like you are going to be one of those, you are already railing at this parent just at the tought that she dared to fly with her kids. You are already judging her as lying about the compliments from fellow travelers and implying that there must have been trouble otherwise she would not be asking people to withold judgement untill you have been there. In fact i think the headline describes you perfectly. Retired flight attendant

Well said....Amused Muse does sound exactly as you portrayed....a whiner in waiting.

I've flown to Australia from LA before. A family with three or four kids were on board, and the plane was only about 1/3 full. I have no memories of those kids being unruly in any way. Maybe a little messy, but not unruly. And if I remember correctly, the messiness I speak of was the kids 'distractions' (toys, books, etc) scattered about somewhat. But, once again, the flight was not full and we all had more room than we normally would have had. All in all, a very good flight. Oh, and there was a very young baby on board that I wasn't aware of until we landed.

Quit yer bitchin and invest in a $300 Pair of Sony Noise Canceling Headphones and let em scream....and everything will be just fine.................

@JustBidenMyTime: So, rather than people taking the responsibility of parenting, and teaching their children how to properly behave in a social environment, you think the rest of the world should spend $300 and hide from the annoyance of unruly children? Wake up. There are always consequences for your actions. If you fail as a parent, and your kids aggravate everyone around them, you have to expect to be on the receiving end of their ire. It is incredibly foolish to attack the symptoms rather than the root of the problem. Of course, you probably have your headphones on right now, so maybe I should post this all in bold face for emphasis like you do so it will get through.

I used to live in Europe and flew back and forth every year (myself and kids) from the time they were born. Some flights were good, some harder, and one time I had a 12 hour delay in London (that one was exhausting). Most of the time my kids were well behaved, and I was always prepared, but I was usually around other passengers that were kind and helpful. On the other hand, on a flight to Hawaii I had 2 people in front of my kids that set their seats all the way back on a very crowded flight) and they pissed and moaned about having their seats kicked. It was the first complaint I ever had, and I finally told them if they wanted no kicking, buy first class or put their seats up. I don't regret a word.

I agree with a majority of you. I too wonder why some parents do not have anything for their kids to do while they are in flight. I am not saying all kids are bad, some are, some aren't. Some parents simply don't think their kids are a problem to others. I do wonder why some parents don't prepare for the kids when they are traveling. Don't they realize kids get bored easy? When I have traveled, I've always taken a late flight and the kids are usually asleep and if they weren't they didn't bother me at all. I bring movies to watch or I read a book.

Amused Muse's comment in no way judged Saffie-862604 "as lying" or could be construed by any sane person as "railing". I believe the point was if her children were well-behaved then this article isn't directed toward her.

No one said all children are poorly behaved, but many are. I applaud good parents who do the right thing, but good parents patting themselves on the back and saying 'Hey, it wasn't my kids' is unnecessary. That's demonstrated through their children's actions.

If the flying public is just jumping to premature conclusions about children who do no wrong, why would the article suggest handing out earplugs or removing their shoes? It's written with the assumption that children will and do misbehave, which they do. It's not just a stereotype or figment of people's imagination.

You know the best way to handle kid-hating curmudgeons on a plane or anywhere else? Keep your kids in check and raise them right.

Noise cancelling headphones don't have to cost $300. I got 2 good pair on clearance through Amazon for less than $15 each.

Gandhus - so no one is allowed to give anecdotes? The OP was simply stating that sometimes there's no reason to make comments like, "Oh great," or "just my luck" because not all kids are bad.

I think saying "keep your kids in check and raise them right" is ridiculous. Kids are KIDS. There is a difference between misbehaving and having a meltdown.

Misbehaving = kicking the chairs, fighting, throwing things on the floor (all things that are generally handled if you give a stern talking to.) It's when the parents fail to address them that they become a problem. Or when parents feel entitled to let their kids continue bad behavior because said complainer is being "a curmudgeon."

Meltdown = utter loss of control. Teenagers' brains aren't even fully developed in terms of their judgment and decision making skills, but we expect complete and utter compliance out of a 1 yr old?

I feel worse for parents who have those kids with the meltdown, either because they are afraid (as many adults are), their ears hurt (they aren't able of understanding how to pop your ears to fix pressure problems), or because they are overexhausted and completely out of their routine. I have more patience for those parents when they are trying their hardest to soothe their child because NO ONE wants to be that family.

For the parents who pop a xanax and sleep through their bratty kid throwing crayons over seats, you get the kids you deserve.

Thank you!!! Everyone who hears a crying baby thinks "those are bad parents". It is a BABY! They do not understand things like "we will be there in one hour" or whatever. I get so upset when people blame crying babies on bad parenting.

Now if a 12 year-old is kicking a seat, while the parents sees this and decides to zone out anyway.....that is different.

But please world, give me and my traveling baby a break. We are a military family that lives far from home and we want to see our family. We are entitled to that as much as you are.

Erica you are absolutely right! There is a huge difference between a bratty six year old and a meltdown of a two year old. There is nothing to do with children under the age of three that are fussy on a plane but softly sing, hold them, offer distractions and snacks ( suckers work great). A two year old meltdown does not have anything to do with bad parenting. I swear you would think that adults who fly are absolute morons who had never read a book on human development. Happy Travels Erica!

BTW: There are thousands upon thousands of military families that are flown all over this earth every single day. You wouldn't know it to look at them, often the "enlisted" spouse is already on the new base, but the other parent is left exhausted and alone, dragging the children to their new home. A couple times a year they may take a trip home to visit their grandparents. I thank GOD every single day for our military and if I can help their spouses and children by reading a story on a plane or making silly faces, or just ignoring the noise -----it is my privilege and honor. THe rest of you either need to serve or shut up!

Even military families have awful kids, just ask the base housing what they've seen and those that have served over 20 years... There are bad parents just as much as there are bad kids, a lot of people should never have reproduced and nothing worse than a Command Family Day ruined by that always "special" family so if you can't travel with your kids and keep them under control? Drive.

In the video you can tell these two parents aren't very good, those two little girls are like animals for physical behavior and they are completely rude. They need intense help if they can't take them out in public without incident.

I think I would have had to parachute out!

There are a lot of parents who are just plain bad, but there are a few who do try their best, but because their kid has autism, or something like that, even good parenting has its limits. These parents did not ask for their kid to have that, but they deal with it every day. Many deserve a medal, not scorn.

If you were able to know the signs and which is the real problem, you could justly scorn the bad parents, and be patient with the good ones. I doubt that you can though.

I have a 2 year old that I have tried everything with. He is great in many situations, but going out to certain places like restaurants and electronics stores can still be a problem. We bought a little DVD player to help with restaurants, that helps. We have patiently tried every suggestion the parents with the "good" kids use. He has therapists, and we follow what they say. I have a master's in education, I follow the advice of many other experts, and parents who are successful, and still he can get quite a bit nuts sometimes.

So, go ahead at look at me with derision. It does not mean you are right.

When a kid is clearly old enough to know what they are doing, and you can be sure that their behavior is because of bad parenting, then deride. And I have seen a whole load of bad parenting that is clearly unjustifiable. (Like telling the kid to talk back to teachers, rewarding them with a vacation when they are suspended from school for stealing, keeping them off medication when their fourth grader is writing graphic death threats to the teacher that because of the wording of their behavior plan, they have every legal right to do, etc...)

Hellohowareyou

"he can get quite a bit nuts sometimes"

That's what 2 year olds do. It 's in their job description. He doesn't need a therapist for this...

I don't like parents who allow their children to be brats in public period. I always taught my children to pay attention to the other people around them in public spaces. The were not allowed to run around and be little heathens. The problem with airplane travel is you can't remove you child from the situation if they have a melt down, which all children have from time to time. Add to that the stress of handling that melt down with a plane full of judgemental people and you think that it's hard for you to deal with? What would really help is if people would realize that children are not mini adults and need to be shown what is the right way to behave. If you act rude and mean when a child is "hassling" you you've shown them it's ok to be jerk when you don't get your way. Remember those parents also paid for the "right" to fly with their children and have to worry about keeping track of them and themselves. Where as most fliers only have to worry about themselves. They are not intentionally trying to piss you off of cause you discomfort. A bit of paitence and understanding can go a long way to makeing the whole situation bearable for everyone.

Jack-you are paying for transportation, not a spa. My kids have flown since six weeks old, without any problems-compliments on the flight DC to LA to Aus, even with a cancelled flights and horrible waits in LAX. My biggest issue were the business travellers that caused an 8 and a 10 year old to all sit by them selves for 6 hours by refusing to change seats because Quantas failed to have United seat us together on the first leg, and I didn't know I had to call each time. I have accomodated fellow passengers in families before but these guys would not. I really wished I had bratty kids then.

And it's not a nursery or day care center either. Welcome to the real world. Not everyone loves your kids the way you and their grandparents do.

Get over it Ted,they have every right to fly that you do.And from the sounds of it,I bet you're one of the adults that acts worse than a hungry infant.Welcome to the real world.

How the mind of the average 2-year old works: me me me me me me me me me me me me me me me me me!

How the mind of the average "I paid good money for this flight, by God I'm going to get my way about it!" air traveler (and "adults" in general): me me me me me me me me me me me me me me me me me!

That's right, there's no appreciable difference.

If you know your kids are going to be little shiite heads on a fly, and make the conscious decision to bring them aboard an aircraft, then it's not simply a "they have every right to fly" argument anymore. It's stepped into the realm of you're an inconsiderate person who doesn't care who has to hear your precious little bundle of joy squawk and kick seats for upwards to 12 hours. Every parent knows how their offspring are going to act so there aren't any excuses to be made. You're going to have to wait to see Disney World when the kid gets to be at an age were he/she is tolerable to deal with if your failed parenting techniques won't allow for this early on. Plain and simple.

Saraos

Get over it Ted,they have every right to fly that you do.And from the sounds of it,I bet you're one of the adults that acts worse than a hungry infant.Welcome to the real world

You get over it. You and your kids may have every right to fly, but you don't have the right to disturb others with your kids. They're yours, not anyone else's. No one else thinks they are the most precious things in the world and should have the right to make everyone else miserable just so you can feel "fulfilled." If your infant's hungry then feed it......far away from me and everyone else. Flying is already an expensive and horrific enough experience without having to put up with somebody's brood. You had 'em, you deal with 'em and stop expecting others to do so.

I'm sick and tired of these "obviously you've never had children" snaps. Yup, many of us haven't and for our own good reasons. If we didn't have them, we don't want yours.

The solution is for airlines to start introducing child-free sections on flights. Put all the parents with kids under 12 in their own secluded section of the plane, just like they use to do with smokers, and have them all deal with crying, screaming, kicking, unruly kids. Better yet, have several totally child-free flights, just they way they've banned smokers. Just like how smokers have been told that their smoking ends when someone else's nose begins, those of us who don't appreciate unruly children have their rights end with their screaming kids when someone's elses ears begin (or kicking feet when my seatback begins).

Again, not everyone thinks your kids are the best thing to happen since sliced bread, only you do, and stop your whining when that fact is made present in your face. Welcome to the real world.

I thought that when you paid for a plane ticket you were actually opting in to riding in a tube, in the sky, with a bunch of strangers with various backgrounds and lifestyles, not only allowing for your stuff to be tossed around, but PAYING EXTRA for someone to do so, all the while expecting that there will be delays, turbulence, and other terrible things.

I didn't realize that you paid for a plane ticket to ride with other people who paid with plane tickets, somehow you were also paying "not to be hassled" by other people being around you.

You don't want to run the risk of being hassled by someone's kid? Buy your own jet.

I've seen more adults misbehave on flights than I've seen kids.

It's the parents? No. It's the noise, the earthquakes, the projectiles...... Effort is fine but that effort should be successful........

You can try, but you can't really force a baby to do anything w/o hurting it.

No Jenny, children are NOT bound to misbehave! Children can easily be taught manners and correct behavior. It just takes parents who are willing to get off their backside and turn off the electronics and do their job. Like it or not, being a parent IS a job. Do it! No one asked you to have children. You made the choice yourself so do it. It is all up to you to do it correctly, not the grandparents, or the neighbors or the teachers. Today's majority of parents are too self centered to be good parents. They are too much about "their" feelings and "their" wants and desires and not their children's. Maybe it should be adults who have grown up and are mature who have the kids and that is a mental thing, not just age. If you can't devote yourself to raising a child, please get a stuffed toy.

Jenny,

Times have also changed since the days a 10-year old child could be executed for stealing a loaf of bread.

I suppose you miss those days, too.

My daughter never needed to the daylights smacked out of her, and nobody ever had a reason to complain about her behavior in public.

Tranquilizers.

You sound like the mother at Sam's Club last week whose two children were screeching in the bathroom. You could hear them before you walked in and you could certainly hear them inside with the metal walls, stalls and sinks. I had ringing in my ears for two hours afterwards--that's how much they were screaming. While doing my business I muttered shut up and the 'mother' started talking crap. I finished my business and walked out and she got in my face about how kids are. They're children and the scream. That's what children do. What was she supposed to do about them? Spank them?

I politely told her that she should probably take a parenting class since she had so many problems controlling her children. She started to hit me with that comment, but her mother stopped her. Oh yes, there were TWO adults for two children. By this time her precious children had ran out of the restrooms. My husband was out there and an employee had to tell them not to climb on the shelf.

Because you know, children scream and climb on the shelf at Sam's Club. That's what they do.

I think there are a fair number of people that think that babies and children young enough to not be able to control their own behavior shouldn't be taken on a plane. As a bona-fide "child-hater" myself, to me these are the worst. It's one thing when the parents bring kids old enough to realize that they need to moderate their behavior because of where they are; it's another entirely when parents bring kids too young to comprehend that.

I acknowledge that not wanting to deal with the Most Annoying Noise in the World - crying babies - make me just a tiny bit selfish, but it's also selfish of parents with very young kids who assume that it's all right to annoy everyone else in a confined space with their uncontrollable spawnling because they have somewhere they want to be. Drive, or leave the kid at home!

CJ - it's the height of arrogance to demand that someone else be inconvenienced because you're inconvenienced.

Get over yourself.

Lest you forget - everyone on that flight paid to be there, and therefore they have a right to receive the service - safe transportation - that they paid for.

Frankly, grow a pair and learn how to give the dead eyes look - scares a child straight every time for me.

@ Lesley: "also enjoyed the jerk in the seat in front of me who put his seat all the way down with my daughter in my lap behind me...."

Guess what, Lesley, that "jerk" paid for his own seat. Why shouldn't he/she be able to put that seat(the one paid for..) all the way down? It's not his fault that airplane space is so poorly designed. It's not his fault that you chose to carry your baby on your lap, instead of buying a seat for her...

My husband does that all the time, because even though he takes an aisle seat, he's too tall, has back problems and is always uncomfortable, so putting that seat all the way is the only manner he travels better. Not his problem if that seat falls into someone's lap, because the seat he paid for was designed like that and he's exercising his right to use it fully. BTW, and before you say it, he cannot afford to fly first class, his company won't pay for it either.

Actually digital, you sound the type that think you can inconvenience everyone around you for Your needs. Quite typical in today's society. I paid for a seat and disturb no one. If you can't do the same, stay home.

People are jerks. When I first flew with our daughter she was only about 4 months old and I was so nervous about her crying. As we're fixing to taxi out, the flight attendant said loudly to me so everyone around me could hear, "Honey, if anyone complains about that baby crying, we'll just let THEM hold the baby!!" It made me feel a lot better and she slept the whole way anyway!

Wow. Drive or leave the kids at home because they don't have the right to take public transportation? You have the right to be completely rude to the person behind you by leaning your seat back just because? I hope you are never in need of care, consideration, or a kind word because with an attitude like that you deserve to be ousted from society. If you were bleeding on the side of the road and were begging for help, I'd have to tell you that I have the RIGHT to refuse to offer you assistance! Hope you can apply your own tourniquets because no one else is going to care about you.

I lean my seat back because it is offered, period. I am more comfortable when it is reclined. Period. Why would anyone not take advantage of available space offered as part of the ticket they purchased?

And to complain about someone who reclines their seat? Incredible.

"CJ - it's the height of arrogance to demand that someone else be inconvenienced because you're inconvenienced." Um, no - it's the concept that your rights end where another person's rights begin. And Jenn, stop with the bingoes. Flying is not a right - but it may be a requirement for a businessperson with a job - and it could even be painful for the child! Did you ever think about that?

This is why I always carry a set of knee defenders by gagdetduck when I fly. They clamp onto the tray back rails and prevent the seat from reclining. Your "right" to recline your seat ends where my knees begin.

Seriously? I shouldn't fly with my kids,even if it's to go somewhere important like a funeral,because my kids might disturb you.But its ok for you to lean your seat into MY lap because you have problems?Nope,doesn't work that way. Sometimes people have no choice but to take their child with them on a plane,and adults like some of you act way worse than the kids people complain about.My kids,2 and 4,were awesome the few times we've flown,but there has ALWAYS been at least 1 adult making an A-- out of themselves and disturbing the whole plane.Trust me,the kids and parents don't WANT to be there anymore than you want them to.

Maybe YOU should STAY HOME until your child is a reasonable and well behaved age.

For all of you seat recliners that whine when you are bothered, you deserve it. I keep my seat up so I won't lay in the lap of the person behind me. When I get up to use the loo, if the seat in front is reclined, I have no choice other than jiggle your seat while I try to get up. Most parents with their kids do their best to keep them from bothering other passengers, but if you want a peaceful, comfortable flight, buy first class, otherwise suck it up like the rest of us do. A lot of child haters here, and I'll bet dimes to dollars they are anti-contraception.

I've seen several comments from u parents complaining about the people in front of u putting their seats back?? WTF?? just because U have a child means we can't be comfortable and recline??? Get over yourselves!!!!!! Teach your kids to keep their feet and hands to themselves. How do u think it's ok that your kid kept touching his head> U r the kind of parent that lets their child invade peoples personal space cause you think it's cute or funnY!! Kids carry more germs on their hands...and u think it's cute...there is the problem

Wow, I can't believe there are so many recliners out there. I bet you'd feel differently if someone else had their seats sitting in your laps for hrs on end. Just because the seat WILL lay down doesn't mean it should. It's not the person's fault behind you that you aren't comfortable, you should have thought about that before you bought a cheap seat in a crowded plane. Yall are no better than the screaming toddlers.

Guys guys, it's just a matter of consideration. If you can recline and keep your neighbour comfortable, do so, but if you see you're squishing a baby and her mom, then be considerate and keep your seat higher.

It's like in the bus: sometimes the bus is not full and you can sit, sometimes you have to stand. Or leave your seat for an old person. That's life. That's manners.

There are thousands upon thousands of military families that are flown all over this earth every single day. You wouldn't know it to look at them, often the "enlisted" spouse is already on the new base, but the other parent is left exhausted and alone, dragging the children to their new home. A couple times a year they may take a trip home to visit their grandparents. I thank GOD every single day for our military and if I can help their spouses and children by reading a story on a plane or making silly faces, or just ignoring the noise -----it is my privilege and honor. THe rest of you either need to serve or shut up!

I assume the flight attendants would earn combat pay! :)

I would go along with "Family Flights" or "Family sections" where, in addition, they could have family-friendly films and not shield their eyes from adult films - but any separation seems to get the activist parents up in arms. I don't know why - family friendly flights could be quite creative in their design, while business flights can be tailored for those who want peace and quiet. It sounds like a win-win situation.

I always thought a kids section would be a good idea.

How about just making a rule "do not kick the seats" and enforcing it!?

Wants to know: Have you ever had to discipline a toddler kicking the seat in front them? I have, and I do not tolerate the behavior because I can't stand it when *my* seat gets kicked. However, when a toddler "gets in a mood," there's very little parents can do to actually enforce rules on long flights. Can I send my child to the corner for a time out? Not if the fasten seatbelt light is on or the galley is full. (I've done it before with my child in full tantrum, but I got more rude looks than with the child in the seat.) Can I send her to her room? Nope. I can take away all entertainment as punishment, but then she has nothing to do and becomes even more unruly and defiant. Can I physically restrain her? Not in a way that wouldn't cause physical harm given the cramped quarters of airline seats. Can I threaten future punishments? (E.g. "you will go straight to bed when we get to grandma's and not get to play with your cousins.") Kids that age don't have a lot of self-control and don't generally have enough of a grasp of future consequences (vs. immediate consequences) to control their emotions. All those people who assume that good parents who "try" will have well-behaved children either don't have children or have forgotten that sometimes kids lose control. My husband and I don't let our children "get away with" bad behavior, but often every effort to clamp down on it actually escalates the situation (and the tantrum). Sometimes finding ways, such as "shoes off," to help manage the situation is the best parents can do. Can you please try to give parents the benefit of the doubt? When our children misbehave, please believe that we are far more miserable than you are.

I give parents the benefit of the doubt when parent. Not when they just throw up their hands and say "kids will be kids."

It is easier to keep them from kicking the seat in front if the seat isn't lying in their lap.

Chester, no matter how prepared a parent is, there are occasions when it just doesn't work. Most parents do the best they can. Most of the problems come from toddlers or babies that aren't into explanations.

Lib.....so the people who sit in front of a child aren't entitled to be comfortable?? your solution is to inconvenience that person?

@hmmmm

That's life. You want to be comfortable, but the fact of life is that your "rights" will never overpower the desires of a toddler, because they just don't care. That's the problem today. People feel they are entitled to anything and everything, especially if they have to do something for it. Life includes sacrifice, and I don't find it fair that a family can't go on a trip because people like you want a flawless flight. You get to the ground, and you will never see each other again. Lib was also right in saying that you can make yourself uncomfortable by trying to become comfortable.

Remember, all of us on a flight paid good money for those tickets.

Yes - including those with children, something that people seem to forget.

When you buy an airline ticket, you're buying transportation - that's it.

Very well said.

I fly a lot, with and without my children, and I have noticed adults behave just as bad, if not worse. I acknowledge this is public transportation and don't become a "hater" of any sort.

Very well said.

I fly a lot, with and without my children, and I have noticed adults behave just as bad, if not worse. I acknowledge this is public transportation and don't become a "hater" of any sort.

Digital just doesn't get it, typical. I bet you have a herd of undisciplined kids and are quite a joy everywhere you go!

Chester, buy a first class ticket.

There's a difference between not controlling your children and trying your best but failing to control your children. Parents try, but you can make a kid without a sense of future consequences behave.

Very well said.

Babies and toddlers aren't always able to deal with the pressure changes in their ears as well as older kids and adults can, and I expect the little ones to have trouble during takeoff.

I also have much more patience when parents are actively making sure their kids behave. At home it may be okay to let them fuss for a bit, but a plane or restaurant isn't the place.

That's easily taken care of - we did it all the time. Take milk or juice bottles for small childrent to sip from during takeoffs and landings. For older children, given them gum to chew during the same periods. Works great - just a matter of being prepared.

We trained our kids to travel and came prepared with games, books, puzzles, etc. to keep them occupied. They never created issues for other flyers.

To whom do I complain about YOUR behavior on an airplane!! I have seen adults who have taken the business class "free drink" policy way beyond what is necessary--they try and "talk" to you for hours, or they have to go to the bathroom every 5 minutes or, my personal favorite, they throw up on your shoes!! My family (with kids) has been flying since my oldest was 3. Never a complaint or a problem. In fact, compliments from airline crew and other passengers. Be prepared (for issues to arise) and be aware (of others) when you fly. Now let's create an airline policy on the out-of-control adults: anyone who wants to can ask the airline crew not to serve you another drink and relocate you to somewhere the rambling, incoherent speech, drooling and passing out doesn't scare my well-behaved children.

Hey nosteratu:

Why don't you keep your "Attitude" at home if you can't behave? YOU made a choice, YOU deal with it, don't force it on everyone else.

people who don't want to listen to obnoxious children are not pathetic wimps, we are people who appreciate peace and quiet. and we expect the parents of these devil spawns to control their children. your comment leads me to believe that you are one of the parents who have devil children and don't care if they annoy everybody else. you like to lay the blame on the rest of us so you don't have to deal with it. which means that YOU need to grow up and act like an adult. that is what adults do.

There is no such thing as reasonable "child noise." Children should be seen and NOT heard, remember?'

Oh, so that's what's wrong with you.

Well, some of the posters here hate kids. They've even been willing to tell us all just how much they hate them.

Those are the types I have no problem bothering.

Seriously, you can do everything right and be prepared, but sometimes nothing works. We just try to do the best we can.

People do not hate kids on a plane, we hate the parents who ignore the children. We don't hate the noisy child, and we understand they get annoyed by the change in atmosphere, but when a kid is out of control and the parents don't do anything, it is a problem. These are the same people who don't do anything at restaurants, and let their kids go wild, run around, etc. I was at a mcdonald's one day and the mother let her child play with her phone. The mother took the phone away to make a call and the kid threw a fit. Okay, that is a problem in the making because that kid thinks that the phone is a toy. sometimes parents present problems instead of solving them.

If you don't recline your seat into the lap behind you it may be easier to keep the kicking down.

So I can't be comfortable and recline because you can't control your kid or teach them that kicking is not acceptable???? Get over yourself

There is a way to alleviate the discomfort on takeoff and landing, give the child a bottle or something to chew and swallow. On the other hand, teach children that in public EVERYONE has a personal space around them and that it works both ways and be thankful that that child isn't a drunk that hasn't ever bathed (yup, sat beside one on a flight in a 3rd world country.)

I agree with this 100%. I've seen good parents on airplanes, but I've also seen ones that let their kids run up and down the aisles screaming without any intervention. Once a couple let their large 3-4 year-old lie across them lengthwise, and the child kept repeatedly kicking me. I asked politely 3 or 4 times for the parents to try to keep the child on their side: they acknowledged, but didn't actually say anything to the child or change her position. I finally had to become stern and say "I really don't appreciate when you allow your child to kick me," and THEN they took action. Point being, you shouldn't need angry prompts from strangers to convince you to control your children.