Sometimes we don’t understand the value of a moment until it becomes a memory and to create such memories, we travel. We travel with children to improve our bond as a family, to understand them better, to know how much we can withstand the tantrums and how to improve ourselves. We travel to teach them that different is good and adventures are exciting. When you travel with children, you teach them to adapt to difficult situations, you give them exposure, experience and a new way of life. But sometimes, amidst this beauty of traveling with kids, you also meet unwanted people and experience things you wouldn’t want your child to see. Well, it’s all a learning curve, and to teach the kids to deal with bad situations is as important as to show them the good and the rosy side of the world.
One such incident shook us up when we were returning from our flight to Bali. Onboard, Singapore Airlines, one of the finest airways with the most courteous staff and happy children during a day flight, we were watching movies, talking, eating and playing. It was a short 2-hour flight but unfortunately, we were seated on aisle seats one after the other which was a bit chaotic. While I took the boys to the toilet, one man screamed –‘can you tell your noisy kids to be quiet’. My older one froze as he gets affected by loud situations. I being the ‘not so good me’ asked him to help me to quite them if he could, to which he responded using foul words. I snapped and told him to shut up and walked away and let my kids be kids.
What would have a normal parent done? People get affected by being judged, they shush their children when they are playful cause the world doesn’t approve, the way judgers behave with parents affects the parent’s behavior with their children and sometimes they lash out on them with anger. How many of us give a damn and handle a situation with kids as they would handle it while not being judged. Take it as a piece of advice when traveling – be calm, stop your children if you think they are disturbing, calm them down by being calm yourself, but do not let the other people’s comments take over your emotions and the way you behave towards your kids.
When you see a crying baby on a flight, especially at night, think about the parent first, they would be more troubled than you are and would make sure to hush the baby so that you don’t get disturbed and also so that you, they and the baby are at peace. Think about the discomfort the baby must be going through before commenting and upsetting the parents more. Before you talk, chose your words wisely. There might be children listening. Would you want your children to learn the foul words? Then why use them in front of other kids. Only when you give respect, you get it back.
Your child needs to know what kind of people are out there, Protect them from unwanted and negative behavior. Explain to them the situation and if they ask you about the words, accept it and tell them its not a kind word and something that they must never use. But don’t let a negative behavior from such people dampen your spirit to travel. Travel the world with children, let them be themselves, don’t judge and tell the judgers to go jump in the well.
