Stories while in Transit. Opinions?
I have a genuine question. How is it that some people travel with children but seem completely unable to calm them when they are crying loudly or disturbing others? When I politely raised this concern, I was told, “Some things are out of hand.” That made me wonder — when something is “out of hand,” does it automatically become everyone else’s responsibility too? Maybe I’m mistaken, but if a child has been crying continuously for almost an hour, and multiple adults — parents and grandparents — are present, is there really nothing that can be done? Just curious — has anyone else faced situations like this while traveling?
#general
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Crying kids are a major pain point in travel, for everyone, including the child. If a child’s ears won’t pop due to pressure changes or a hidden ear infection, no amount of shushing or toys will stop that physical pain.
It’s a nightmare for the parents, too. They often feel helpless, unable to soothe their child, and acutely aware of the nuisance they’re causing fellow passengers. When they say a situation is 'out of hand,' they are usually genuinely exhausted and just trying to ride out the storm. They aren't saying it’s your responsibility to fix it; they’re admitting they’ve run out of options.
While noise-cancelling headphones are a lifesaver for fellow passengers, not everyone travels prepared for that level of noise. Ultimately, it becomes an exhausting experience for everyone involved.
@OrderlyRamie Thanks for sharing this perspective, I completely understand that sometimes children may be in genuine physical discomfort, and that must be very stressful for parents too. In my specific situation though, the child seemed perfectly fine and playful once taken outside, which is why it made me wonder if earlier intervention could have helped reduce the disturbance for everyone. I guess it’s just about trying what we can in shared public spaces. Shared spaces work best when everyone makes some efforts.
Hand was the only solution for lots of us growing up. Never out, never in. Parents these days man 😂
I agree that there can be genuine situations where parents truly cannot calm their child. Sometimes things really are out of hand. But in many cases, it seems more like a lack of parenting rather than helplessness. Basic manners and consideration for others are things children learn over time. When parents laugh off disruptive behavior in public instead of guiding it, that’s where the issue begins.
It’s not that children shouldn’t play, cry, or act childlike they absolutely should. But most well-mannered children are taught, politely and consistently, how to behave in public spaces. Over time, they subconsciously adapt. And when that happens, people around them feel warmth instead of irritation.
So in my opinion, it largely depends on how parents teach and model behavior.