Since when did we start apologising for kids being kids?
Once again a story has gone viral of some probably very nice folk, from a probably very nice town in America, who did a very nice thing for their fellow passengers in providing them with ear plugs and a very nice little note apologising for the possibility that their 5-month-old twins might cry a little on a recent plane trip.
The “care package”, as the media has dubbed it, contained some earplugs, lollies and a nice little note reading:
“This is our second flight, ever. We came to Michigan to bury our Pops, Marcus Belgrave, and we’d like to apologise in advance if we get scared or our ears hurt on the plane on the way home.
Our parents hope we sleep the whole way … However, to make sure that you’re happy too, please accept this bag as a token of our appreciation for your patience.”
The nice little family packaged them all up and handed them out to all the passengers.
Just in case their babies cried, or vomited, or pooed or any of those other bothersome baby-things that bothersome baby travellers tend to do.
It’s a nice gesture right? I know. I know I should feel that. I know I should feel touched that humanity is so thoughtful and kind. I know I should admire these passengers for their preparedness and quirky ideas.
But I don’t.
Just as the family who did it last year didn’t charm me at all, or the family who did it six months before that or the ones who did it six months before that.
I don’t feel charmed at all by this new way of mollifying fellow travellers. In fact, I feel a little dismayed by it.
What’s the big deal with a baby crying?
Since when did we feel the need to constantly apologise for our kids?
Since when did we feel the need to pre-empt their natural instinct by smoothing the path ahead in case they cry? Pacifying those around us.