As soon as we boarded the plane, he was raring to go. He wanted to roam up and down the aisles, talk to strangers and steal their food. I was exasperated. I tried to bribe him with toys but he was uninterested. I was so desperate to calm him, I turned on cartoon network on the individual TV screen at our seat. He didn't care. I was at my wits end.
My boyfriend was no help at all, he had been up for 36 hours straight working and left the childcare for the flight to me. And when he did try to help for moments at a time, my son would scream "mama!" And reach for me. So we took walks up and down the aisles. Low and behold on our journey we found three babies with mamas and daddies attached to them.
One couple was particularly wonderful. They had two little boys, Baxter,3, and Anakis, 17 months. The dad offered me a seat as I was chasing my son down the endless plane aisle. "Only parents truly understand..." I remarked to him as I collapsed into the plane seat. He smiled in agreement.
The mom and I got to talking about sleep issues, pre-school, having siblings and the works. This couple was so down to earth and dare I say "normal."
My son blatantly stole their crayons and they didn't even bat an eye lash. When my child began drawing on the plane walls with these same crayons, I cried out in a panic, the dad responded: "Don"t worry! They're washable!" And he handed me a baby wipe to clean the wall with.
I loved this couple. I told them about what a rough flight my boy was having. They consoled me by letting me know that my son's stir crazy travel behavior was, indeed, just a normal phase in development.
When we were on an epic trans-Atlantic flight everyone marveled at how wonderful our little one was, and he was... to them! But it took every ounce of attention and energy from us. The only thing that kept me sane was that I knew that time would pass, even if it seemed like every minute was as long as an hour, I knew it would eventually be over. I totally feel for you and think that in the future you can't travel with a boyfriend who is so sleep-deprived. If he needs sleep, it has to be at home and then get on the plane!!!
ReplyDeleteThat is excellent advice. I will make sure this the boyfriend in question gets a suitable amount of rest before the next flight to ensure equal amounts of childcare! Thanks Dunky!
ReplyDeleteI think my parents used to slip us Benadryl cocktails before we did any flying. I knew we flew travelled by air, but I certainly don't recall any plane rides. Good luck on the way back :(
ReplyDeleteThat's hilarious! I bet it worked too. It probably mellowed you guys out!
ReplyDeletePlane rides with kids ARE hell!!! I attach to parents like CRAZY on the planes, and go figure, they are way cool and live far away!! Bummer. It is a phase, but it suuuccckkksss hard core!
ReplyDeleteWhere did you guys go with the kids? California, right?
ReplyDeleteYeah, they are hell. Wil said to Ari"This is the last one we're doing until you're older, Ari!"
Oh, and yes! They always live far away!
ReplyDeleteThat was a funny line of Wil's that this was the last trip til he is an old man. What did he say "di" ?Can't think of any solution to traveling with a toddler.
ReplyDeleteI feel like it's just the age! What can we do? Cest la vie!
ReplyDeleteYeah. we've been on a plane hmm I think 6 times when he was under a year. Not fun at all!
ReplyDeleteI hate when I'm stuck next to somebody who "hates kids". I understand the irritation, but at least they don't have to do all that constant work to reign the child in.
ReplyDelete-Byron
I know! That is the absolute worst. I always think to myself, "how can you hate kids? You were a child once?" Those people suck and are nonsensical.
ReplyDelete