FLYING with a toddler can be extremely challenging, especially when your little one is still too young to understand instructions.
The latest incident, in which a family was nearly kicked out of a plane because their toddler wouldn't sit in her own seat before takeoff, saddens me as a mother.
Several online users have also expressed opposing views in response to the viral post.
While some people think the airline's cabin crew is overly rigorous, others criticise the parents for not enforcing enough rules on their children resulting in meltdowns.
But let's face it, kids can be adorably cute one minute and then throw a tantrum about something as trivial as a banana skin that was peeled without their permission.
Having a 2-year-old of my own, I can relate to parents' struggles when it comes to air travel.
Although I have taken my daughter on long-haul flights a few times since she's a year old, I believe it is a learning process and it takes practice to comprehend your child's demands.
However, here are a few simple things you can do to help your "little travel companion" get through the uncomfortable takeoff and landing positions and enjoy the flight as much as you do.
FLIGHT TIMING
Choosing a travel schedule during your child's nap or sleeping time is necessary, even if parents may desire to save money by taking flights at any time that offer low prices.
The trick is to wear them out before the flight by letting them play and run about the airport (of course, you must keep a close eye on them). Giving them enough to eat will also be helpful.
CALM DOWN TIME
There's a reason parents are allowed on board earlier than other passengers — it's actually to let the kids settle down in their seats.
Introduce them to their personal space (the seat), the seatbelts and start taking out their toys one by one.
My child has her own busy-bag that she carries around which stores her favourite little toys, but mama, there must be multiple toys in your diaper bag too!
Activity books, plush toys, finger puppets, whatever fits in that big backpack of yours.
When everything else fails, pull out the snack bag! Not only does this work during the flight, but it also helps me while teaching my child to buckle up in her car seat.
Tidbits like little cut-up fruits, cute bunny-shaped bread cut-outs, animal crackers and even organic lollipops — kids would definitely enjoy it!
Lollies also help them cope with the change in pressure as they swallow during take off and landing. Just make sure you have enough of this essential.
MINIMAL CABIN BAG
Travelling solo with a toddler teaches me to travel light. I cannot manage two cabin bags simultaneously while watching over an active toddler.
On a long-haul flight, I would pack everything I needed in a single roller carry-on, including diapers, additional clothing, snacks, toys, and toiletries.
Take out the toys and snacks pack and place it beneath the seat in front of you — everything else can be stored in the compartment above.
Other things to invest in is a travel stroller complete with case — mine is like a backpack. So, upon boarding, I can fold the stroller and carry it on my back (or leave it at the gate for check-in).
SURVIVING TANTRUMS
It can be very taxing to control a child's tantrums or even hyperactivity, and mummy may just want to break down in tears.
I once experienced my daughter just wanting to play with the tray table in front of her.
While I tried to distract her with her other toys, it seems that the tray table is her new toy!
The little one might think that it's amusing, but other passengers might think it's annoying.
Since she was under 2 at the time, she obviously couldn't really understand instructions.
What I did was take her away from the area, and walk along the aisle to distract her.
She calmed down after a while and started playing with her toys again when we got back to our seats.
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