A mum who noticed an irritated man when she and her little girl boarded a cross country flight in the US has written an open letter to encourage others not to make parents feel embarrassed
She shared the heartfelt note on Momstrosity Facebook page, detailing the uncomfortable experience.
"To the Gentleman on Flight 1451,
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"I first noticed you when you sighed loudly as you laid eyes on me and my toddler boarding the plane.
"In a momentary lapse of judgement, we sat behind you. It was the nearest set of seats, and I couldn't wait to put my child and our heavy bags down.
"From the over dramatic huffs and puffs you let out as we buckled in, it was clear that you were annoyed by our very presence.
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"At this point, my little girl was laughing and playing, obviously too loud for your liking.
"I wondered if you had a bad day, or if this grouchy temperament was your normal behavior.
"I wondered if your wife was embarrassed as she quietly nodded at your frustrations.
"I wondered if you had children of your own.
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"I did everything in my power to keep her calm and quiet. I shushed her, and made sure her little feet didn't kick your seat.
"As we took off, her tears started. The kicking and the screaming tantrums came on fast."
The mum explained how her daughter was exhausted from an early morning, hungry because she didn't want airport food and recovering from the tail end of a sinus infection which probably meant the altitude hurt her ears.
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"You did not let up with your mutters of annoyance and looks over your shoulder. You even shoved the back of the sear towards us," she continued.
"I apologised to everyone around me. I almost started crying myself.
"I was feeling shame and guilt for not being able to control my own child."
Thankfully, that's when a kind flight attendant stepped in to give the little girl a cup and straw to play with, telling them "It's ok! Flying is tough on everyone, and you are both doing great!"
"She was right. We were doing great! We were doing our best, and that's as great as it gets.
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"The problem wasn't with us, it was with you.
"What you need to know, is that while children can be terribly inconvenient now, they will run the world when you are old and grey.
"Kids can be annoying and downright obnoxious, but they are also innovative and brilliant.
"These kids might one day discover the cure for the type cancer that runs in your family.
"They can be selfish and loud, but they can also be precious and loving. They might grow up to build systems and make laws that benefit us all.
"They may grow up to serve others in a way that makes us wish we could go in time back and do it all over again.
"They are the future. They are gifts to their family, to their community, and to the world. We will need them one day, and they need us now.
"They need a kind word. They need the novelty of a plastic cup and conversation from a new friend.
"They need someone to look square in their mama's nervous eyes and tell them that they are doing great, and that everything is going to be ok.
"If you can't muster up a smile and a hello, then simple silence will do just fine.
"I get it, kids can be a nuisance, but next time you are forced to be near one, I hope that you will be more like the flight attendant. I hope that instead of frustration and annoyance, you feel hope and goodness.
"This world certainly has enough negativity without us adding to it, and just maybe the kindness you give out today, will be returned to you in the future."
Featured Image Credit: PexelsTopics: Life News, Real, Parenting