I remember one flight with eleven young kids divided among three adults (we’re not Catholic or LDS, but we do love kids), where I was simply overwhelmed entertaining three kids under 7 y/o for four hours. The kids were reasonably quiet, but I was wondering what condition I would be in after the flight.
The businessman next to me read his WSJ for about an hour, at which point my 6 y/o fell asleep, and he asked if he could entertain the 3 y/o and 2 y/o while I took a break. He was amazing! He sang so softly and beautifully that they were silent so they could hear him. He played games that I remembered once he tried them but had forgotten in the stress of keeping multiple kids calm and cared for. He made silly faces and sillier noises. He drew lifelike pictures of them, which kept their rapt attention (and hung in their rooms for years afterwards). Three hours later, when the kids hugged him goodbye, I thanked him, and his response was to thank me for the joy of playing with my kids. He also asked me to pass the favor on in a decade or so - and I have done so several times, as have my (now much older) kids.
You may not be able to do anything about the crying kids a few rows away, but I’m impressed at how much one stranger can do to help adjacent travelers with young kids. When I’m the one entertaining a traveling child, I enjoy it, and I can bring out a broad repertoire of tricks that are new to the youngsters. I actually prefer to sit next to a parent traveling with children because they entertain me as much as I entertain them.
I thought that was what the Kennel hold was for?
I,ve had one kid on a flight sit with me after 20 mins of annoyance, I traded seats with him and gave him the window and said occupy your self!
I guess we should carry an issue of Highlight’s.
What a lovely post. Thank you.
Mrs. AV