I think someone called me a bad mom yesterday

[caramia17]

And it shouldn't bother me but it does.

We had been visiting family for the holidays and Caramini got up at 6 am EST, drove 2 hours to the airport, waited 35 mins in security, promptly fell asleep for a very early nap, slept 1 hr 15 mins, woke up as we boarded our first plane and rode a plane for 2 hrs 15 mins. We then ran to our next gate and had a short enough layover that they lost our bags and boarded our last 30 min flight. Caramini sat in my lap on the long flight, so she was sitting in my H's for the short one. She whined a little bit, but no come aparts even though I am sure that she felt tired and out of sorts.

Caramini and I get off the flight and DH stays to get the stroller from the valet check. We go to the restroom. As I come out of the stall some lady is there at the paper towel dispenser, so I say to Caramini, "stay there mama has to wash her hands". This lady looks at her, harrumphed, and then turned to leave. Then she turns back and says:

"I wish you people would have some courtesy for other people on the plane and keep your kid quiet instead of letting her whine.".

I was so dumbfounded I didn't say anything. At least 3 other people complimented her behavior on that particular flight. I couldn't help but think that because Caramini was with DH, she felt that I could have stopped the whining had I taken her and was calling me a bad mom.

Now, I am thinking of all the things I should have said. Mostly, "Bless your heart. Happy New Year.".

Bleah. I know that this is stupid and it was a crusty stranger who probably also had a harrowing day of travel, but it made me feel like crap.

[bunch]

What a tool. You did great and you shouldn't let it bother you. I hope she smugly tells someone what she said to you and gets a wtf.

[Deleted]

I would have rolled my eyes so hard at her.

[Deleted]

Dude wtf. Even if she did scream and cry, there is really only so much most parents can do about it so comments are unnecessary. As it sounds like she was pretty good, that woman needs to get over herself. Planes aren't these "zen zones" where you are guaranteed complete and total quiet.

[Deleted]

I get why you're upset but these are the kind of people you just have to ignore and write off as delusional. She's crazy if she thinks she can go into a public space and expect to not hear a peep out of anyone else - children or adults.

[caramia17]

These comments made me feel better. My DH was doing a great job redirecting her and an advantage of only one kid is that we each can still get a little break. She seriously whined intermittently for the last 5 mins of descent and taxi because she wanted to get up. We sang songs and read a book. She was OK by her standards (she is usually a model traveler), but I am not going to pretend there was no whining.

Now I am mostly mad I didn't say something to Cranky McStickupherass.

[Willis Jackson]

That woman is an idiot.

[anna7602]

People are jerks. Don't question yourself.

[mrshandy]

In my dream world, I would have said.

"Sorry I left the muzzle at home."

I have totally been that person on a plane before. The mother of a screaming child. You never really understand how powerless a parent is until you are that person. It's not like you can just leave the plane. You're stuck so you do the best you can.

[bunch]

A friend of mine is flying to Thailand with her 17 mo old today. I've literally had nightmares the last three nights on her behalf. I can't imagine what it would be like trying to entertain and restrain a kid on a plane. I'm impressed with anyone who attempts it.

[drloretta]

That was totally uncalled for on her part.

It's one thing if your child had a total meltdown and you did nothing about it. IMO as long as you're making an effort to keep your child calm and entertained on a plane, you're being a GREAT parent.

That passenger had woefully unrealistic expectations of how kids should behave on a plane.

[anna7602]

Jan 2, 2013 8:39:49 GMT -5 bunch said:

A friend of mine is flying to Thailand with her 17 mo old today. I've literally had nightmares the last three nights on her behalf. I can't imagine what it would be like trying to entertain and restrain a kid on a plane. I'm impressed with anyone who attempts it.

If it's at the right time of day, hopefully her kid will just sleep for most of it. My favorite flights ever with DD were 13 hour overnights to and from Argentina. She slept for both of them.

[livinitup]

I'm really trying to come up with an appropriate come back.

My second favorite is "Fuck you lady. Fuck! Fuck! You!"

The main drawback is that your child is present. So, my main favorite would be "You people? What is that supposed to mean? Are you some kind of racist?"

That way you can be outraged and miss her point entirely. (Bonus points if you are boh the same race.)

[ECB]

"Well, at least you've done us the courtesy of not reproducing because clearly you can't be a mother and be so entirely discompassionate.".

[caramia17]

Jan 2, 2013 9:01:26 GMT -5 livinitup said:

I'm really trying to come up with an appropriate come back.

My second favorite is "Fuck you lady. Fuck! Fuck! You!"

The main drawback is that your child is present. So, my main favorite would be "You people? What is that supposed to mean? Are you some kind of racist?"

That way you can be outraged and miss her point entirely. (Bonus points if you are boh the same race.)

This was my husband's suggestion.

He also said I should have pointed out that she was not a little person 35 year old, but in fact a one year old.