DVD players on airplanes

[SiClone]

It just came to me, LewisSC is really Grumpy from the 7 Dwarfs!!!

LOL.... Good one!!!


Anyways, I've been training my 22 mo old DS with headphones for our trip on Monday. He loves Blues Clues, so I bought some new DVD's to surprise him on the flight. So far, so good with the headphones. But he might sing along a few times and will definitely scream "MAIL!!!!" when it gets to that part...

 

[Lewisc]

You missed the poster who told me she would have told her child to kick my seat for complaining about the DVD player.

I'm the one who suggested some kids not fly. I was limiting that suggestionto those posters who were giving other passengers the option of being kicked, bothered by bratty kids or loud DVD players. Parents who know in advance that they aren't capable of having their children even attempt to behave should consider other forms of transportation.

The mother knew the DVD player was much too loud.

Not every child is an angel. No problem. A child kicks my seat I expect the parent to tell the child to stop and if it continues to hold the child so it stops. I don't expect the parent to tell the child to kick my seat in retaliation for not wanting to listen to their kids movie.

I just don't understand all those who say, hey, listen to my DVD or hear my child scream. Like those are the only two choices, and they aren't. I've flown with plenty of parents who spend the entire time on the plane entertaining their children. Is it tiring for the parents? I'm sure it is. It always was when our grands were younger and we flew together. Yes, there are times when even that doesn't work, but then no one expects children to always be quite. Sometimes kids have meltdowns..vacations are tough for them.

When we were in Dublin last year, we noticed that on the train, there were signs saying, this is a quiet car...you must use headphones on all appliances. There was no if's or but's. Everyone on that car, children and adults had their ipods and DVD's, but with headphones. They were told they had to use the headphones in order to use their equipment, and so they did. This is children and adults. I'm betting if your child thinks the only way to listen to a DVD is with headphones, it won't be long until he'll wear headphones.

 

[DISNEYFOS]

I just wanted to chime in as a parent and as someone whose traveled a lot both for business as well as family vacations.

There are some common courtesys we as parents do need to teach our children. NO Kicking seat is a big one for sure. I've been known to actually hold my child's feet for three hours consistently saying don't kick the seat over and over and over again.

I have to agree with the posters who say If the child won't use headphones then there will be no sound or no DVD player. We actually have a video Ipod so its moot (there is no sound if there are no headphones)

We are the adults!..We make the rules! Its exhausting but if we don't teach our children manners, common courtesy, follow the rules..who the heck will?

 

[Benducci]

How long is the flight? Does the 18 month old really need to be watching a dvd? I am sure there are tons of things you can bring to entertain him/her and not be bothered with the dvd. As for the the 3 year old- definiltey headphones - planes are noisy & I wouldn't want the volume to be raised so I can hear as well as everyone else around him. That is why planes give out headphones to watch movies in the plane.

 

[jenseib]

On the subject of bratty kids... What do you do about the ears and pressure? I'm sure in normal circumstances my child will do just fine. But if she is liek me ,I ALWAYS have the ear poppong thing, only I can't get them to pop! Even the best behaved kids would be irritated by that. Any suggestions to help with that problem?

 

[Hannathy]

Dum Dum lollipops. They are small enough to be sucked. It is the swallowing so any lollipops or gum, but I have found the Dum-Dums because of the sucking increases the swallowing.

 

[tjmw2727]

Dum Dum lollipops. They are small enough to be sucked. It is the swallowing so any lollipops or gum, but I have found the Dum-Dums because of the sucking increases the swallowing.

ITA - lollypops or gummy candy worked wonders for my kids as they didn't always feel like sipping or drinking something. For the wee ones gerber makes an all natural fruit chew, may not be something you would offer on an every day basis but great for a treat onboard.

For older kids starbursts are my dd's favorites! They are very juicy and take a long time to chew so they work well for popping the ears.

TJ

 

[momtoBrandon&Jacob]

You missed the poster who told me she would have told her child to kick my seat for complaining about the DVD player.

I'm the one who suggested some kids not fly. I was limiting that suggestionto those posters who were giving other passengers the option of being kicked, bothered by bratty kids or loud DVD players. Parents who know in advance that they aren't capable of having their children even attempt to behave should consider other forms of transportation.

The mother knew the DVD player was much too loud.

Not every child is an angel. No problem. A child kicks my seat I expect the parent to tell the child to stop and if it continues to hold the child so it stops. I don't expect the parent to tell the child to kick my seat in retaliation for not wanting to listen to their kids movie.

Ok, you are a jerk on so many levels. I mean, who do you think you are to tell people not to fly with their kids or turn down their dvd's or whatever! I honestly hope that you have 5 5-year-olds who kick, and have loud DVDs on your next flight.

 

[tjmw2727]

Ok, you are a jerk on so many levels. I mean, who do you think you are to tell people not to fly with their kids or turn down their dvd's or whatever! I honestly hope that you have 5 5-year-olds who kick, and have loud DVDs on your next flight.

Wow, that's a bit harsh.

FWIW there was a period of time when my dd was in her twos that she was difficult in public. She was a late talker and would get frustrated easily, fine and dandy at home because we didn't give in to her whims but it sometimes took a while to get through a situation. During this time we didn't take her to restaurants and if we did I was ready to bail at a moments notice. Hence she learned quickly that if she wanted to eat out with the rest of the family she would behave. Otherwise it was her and I in the car or at home.

I must stay that unless it was an absolute emergency I would not have flown with my dd during this time frame.

For kickers - remove the socks and if possible put an adult in your party in front ot the potential offender. Dh and I would sit 2-2 with our dd's and the younger would be in back of one of us.

TJ

 

[DMRick]

Ok, you are a jerk on so many levels. I mean, who do you think you are to tell people not to fly with their kids or turn down their dvd's or whatever! I honestly hope that you have 5 5-year-olds who kick, and have loud DVDs on your next flight.

Wow, you made this pretty personal, with name calling and all. You might as well call me some names too, because I would have no problem with someone on a plane asking a mom to turn down a DVD (or anyone with anything electronic that is up loud enough for several people to hear it from several rows away, as he stated).

 

[luvdiz2]

DMrick

To help diffuse this situation, I want to know what that obnoxious concoction in front of the boy in the picture It looks like an official "off my diet" item!

 

[lmcdo02]

This is a very sticky issue, everyone has their own opinions. Most people I know that fly frequently will bring their own ear plugs if they want peace and quiet. There is no guarantee that you are going have a quiet plane, it's a public place. If you really need to get a nap in on the plane, you should wear ear plugs.

As a parent of 3 kids, they need to know how they should behave in any public situation. If they know they need to wear headphones in order to listen to their movie, then that's how it is. Otherwise they watch in silence. If they know the rules before the trip, it is not a surprise when you get in that situation.

My kids are 7,7 and 10, so they have no problems with headphones. They would of never wore headphones at 18mo., but I do agree with the one poster who said the 18mo probably won't notice the sound wasn't on! Just watching the movie may be enough. Try it out somewhere before the trip.

DVD players are very helpful for long trips, you shouldn't leave it at home because of anyones comments here. You'll just need to be creative!

 

[karenTX]

You missed the poster who told me she would have told her child to kick my seat for complaining about the DVD player.

Lewisc, I wouldn't have told her too, I'd just let it happen and not stop it.

No, apparently everyone but you also read that I was being SARCASTIC! Try reading posts a little lower down next time.

 

[DMRick]

DMrick

To help diffuse this situation, I want to know what that obnoxious concoction in front of the boy in the picture It looks like an official "off my diet" item!

That's my grandson, eating the kitchen sink (Beaches and Cream at the Beach Club resort) all by himself a few years ago. He talked about it for months before the trip and months after, and that was his Disney souvenir from Grandma. We did help with the cherries, but other than that, he ate most of it. It was his dinner that night. That he kept down, which is more than I can say for the Rainforest Cafe Volcano LOL!You can see one of our "small" desserts to right of it..and hubby and I shared that one!

 

[jenseib]

OK, my DD is only 2 so not sure if she will actually suck on the dumdum. I rarely ever give her suckers. They make such a mess. She likes gummie fruit snacks, so we'll try those. Is it basically best to have them do it during take off?

 

[Lewisc]

Lewisc, I wouldn't have told her too, I'd just let it happen and not stop it.

Actually you said:

I'd make sure your chair was kicked all the rest of the way.

It wasn't clear if you'd be personally kicking my seat or would be having your daughter do it but it was clear you'd be one responsible.

I've never seen so many rude posters in one thread.

Some airlines require headphones. Common courtesy requires headphones even if airline rules don't.

Inability to use a DVD player without headphones doesn't justify bratty kids or seat kicking.

Parent who think differently shouldn't be flying with their kids.

 

[jodifla]

Actually you said:



It wasn't clear if you'd be personally kicking my seat or would be having your daughter do it but it was clear you'd be one responsible.

I've never seen so many rude posters in one thread.

Some airlines require headphones. Common courtesy requires headphones even if airline rules don't.

Inability to use a DVD player without headphones doesn't justify bratty kids or seat kicking.

Parent who think differently shouldn't be flying with their kids.

Perhaps we should say, adults who require complete peace and quiet shouldn't fly. We'll be packing those planes with our kids, gameboys, dvds, drinks, snacks etc. Even headphones in most cases.

 

[Lewisc]

Perhaps we should say, adults who require complete peace and quiet shouldn't fly. We'll be packing those planes with our kids, gameboys, dvds, drinks, snacks etc. Even headphones in most cases.

In real life I've never had a problem. The mother turned off the DVD player when asked. I'll ignore my seat getting kicked the first couple of times. After a couple of times I'll politely ask the parent to have their child stop kicking the seat. Not a problem and it stops.

Posters in this thread said if we don't want to listen to a DVD player we deserve "bratty kids" or being kicked. I've never personally experienced this rude attitude in person, only in this thread. Some (many?) airlines require headphones. If you know your child can't/won't use heaphones DON'T BRING THE DVD player.

 

[TheDizMom]

On the subject of bratty kids... What do you do about the ears and pressure? I'm sure in normal circumstances my child will do just fine. But if she is liek me ,I ALWAYS have the ear poppong thing, only I can't get them to pop! Even the best behaved kids would be irritated by that. Any suggestions to help with that problem?

It depends on their age. Gum is a big help, if they're old enough, and having something to drink as the swallowing helps open up the ears. Again if they're old enough have them plug their nose and blow or try to yawn. Younger kids can have a pacifier, bottle or nurse. Also if at all possible keep them in a sitting position. Laying down makes it harder for them to "pop" for some reason. As a former flight attendant I commuted and used to sleep in an empty row whenever I could and found if I stayed laying down my ears would hurt more, I have no idea why. If I was working and someones child was laying down crying about their ears I would have them sit them up and a lot of the time it made a difference. One thing I would never do is the wet paper towel in a cup held to the ear. It is actually dangerous and can cause water on the ear drum. We were always told when someone wanted us to do this we were not allowed to. A lot of doctors will recommend this and I don't know why, but it's not a good idea.

 

[momtoBrandon&Jacob]

Perhaps we should say, adults who require complete peace and quiet shouldn't fly. We'll be packing those planes with our kids, gameboys, dvds, drinks, snacks etc. Even headphones in most cases.

Amen!