Being a mom of four boys, I have flown with my children at various ages.  The youngest age was when my second son was only two weeks old and I needed to attend a meeting at the CDC (Center for Disease Control) in Atlanta.  But, other trips included a four week old to attend a national pediatric dental meeting, and various trips with the boys at ages younger than one year old.

So, I understand the anxiety of a mom having to fly with a young child and the worry about the unpredictable behavior that that children may exhibit when flying.

Yesterday,  I was returning from a stressful unexpected trip out of town and experienced a very sweet gesture by a new mom traveling with her daughter.  Before the flight took off, this mother came through the entire cabin of the plane and handed out baggies to every passenger (yep – everyone).  In the baggies were some gum, candies, ear plugs and a note.  The note read:

“Hello,
My name is Alice Rose.  I turned 4 months old on February 5, 2018.
I am flying with my mother and grandmother to Minnesota to surprise my great grandmother who turns 92 years old this coming week; and whom I have never met and who has never met me.
I promise that I will try and be good. But my mother is afraid that I will find the plane ride uncomfortable – and that I will be unpleasant – (as she says…”throwing a girl fit”).  I will try my best not to “throw a girl fit”. But, if I do, please forgive me.
Thank you so much
Alice Rose”

This was a very kind gesture by a mom, and a very smart way to preempt any complaints about her child.  Everyone on the plane was very kind back to her and some sitting near her even offered to hold her daughter if the flight proved to be difficult.

Happily, little Alice Rose slept for the entire flight and we arrived in Minneapolis without even one complaint.