In the last few hours, a video recorded during a Lufthansa flight between Germany and the United States has transpired, although it took place on August 26, it went viral these days. It was uploaded to YouTube by Shane Townley under the title 'Demon boy screams and runs during an 8-hour flight'. But it's not the child's fault.
In it we can see what they have called "the nightmare of any passenger". A three-year-old boy passes the flight screaming, running through the aisles of the plane, hitting the roof, getting on the back of the seats and disturbing the other passengers. Some images (which, by the way, seem to have been recorded without the consent of the parents) that reopen the debate about children on flights, but also about if sometimes we judge without actually knowing the situation. Look at the images and tell us, what would you do if you had been on that plane?
A nightmare flight
Even from before takeoff, the child starts screaming and you already sense what the rest of the trip will be. The mother asks the hostess to connect the Wi-Fi so that she can give her the iPad and get her to calm down, something impossible since they had not yet taken off. Later, once in flight, there was also no wifi that could calm him down. The little, tireless, did not stop moving around the plane screaming, getting on the back of the seats and running through the aisles.
Among the passengers, some sympathized with the mother, while others criticized her for not being able to control her son, who turned the eight-hour trip into a real hell for the rest of the passengers. According to the person who recorded the video, the mother "did virtually nothing to calm him" and there are those who think they should have even "drugged" before traveling.
On the other hand, with a little more sensitivity, there are those who pointed out that the child could have autism or some developmental disorder that was the cause of his bad behavior, although the mother did not mention it at any time. Many parents of autistic children commented that a flight can stress them too much and that the child is prepared weeks in advance to face the trip.
But those parents will be desperate because they will have tried EVERYTHING!
- Paloma paleo (@PalomaPaleo) February 16, 2018
But it is very easy to blame the parents and believe you know everything and that you would not do so. Embarrassing is that this news is published and a child is labeled as 'demonic'.
I have one of these at home. He drives me nuts.
- angel gray (@ angelgrey81) February 14, 2018
Nothing mom can do and I feel for her.
Demonic child torments passengers on 8-hour transatlantic flight //t.co/TIsuoDmfZG
It's not the child's fault
The issue of children on flights is always a matter of controversy, since nobody wants a child close to crying or screaming throughout the flight. However, although it is understandable that it can be stressful for some passengers, we must also be understanding and practice empathy. Children are children, no robots that can be turned off with an "off" button when they bother.
Although it must also be said, there are parents and parents. Respect for others It should be a value that parents instill in their children from an early age. As I say in this open letter to those who believe that children should not travel by plane, "there are parents who do not assume the responsibility of educating their children when they are old enough to understand the consequences of their actions. If your child kicks, hit or insults it is your responsibility to teach him that this is not done wherever he is, whether on an airplane, on a bus or in the park in the corner. "
However, I think neither should we judge the first without knowing in depth the situation of that child. It is probably not a rude child, no more, and of course I would never say that a child is "demonic". It is likely that he had some condition that we do not know responsible for losing control in this way.
I see in the video passengers who cover their ears, who complain with disapproving faces, but I do not see anyone coming to provide help to calm the child. If the mother is not able to control it, for whatever reason, maybe another person could collaborate with strategies to reassure him, like games or activities to entertain him, or maybe try to rest. That way everyone could have had a more pleasant flight.
If I had been on that plane, for my mental health and that of the other passengers, I would have tried to help that mother. What would you have done?
