Flying with a baby can be a nerve-wracking experience for any parent. The fear of disrupting fellow passengers, the possibility of a crying spell mid-flight—these worries are almost unavoidable. Recently, a mother flying from Seoul to San Francisco preemptively addressed this by handing out 200 earplugs and Korean candies with a note “from her baby” apologizing in advance for any potential crying. While the gesture was sweet, it raises a critical question: Should parents feel obligated to apologize for simply bringing their children on a plane? Here’s why parents shouldn’t have to say sorry for babies being babies.
The Overwhelming Pressure Parents Face on Flights
If you’re a parent, you’ve likely felt the intense pressure to keep your child quiet on public transport—especially flights. Many parents take extreme measures to prevent their baby’s cries from disturbing others. This mom’s gesture may have been thoughtful, but it highlights an unfortunate reality: many parents feel the need to preemptively defend their baby’s presence on a flight.
The reality is that babies, like all human beings, have emotional and physical needs. They may cry due to ear discomfort, fear, or simple exhaustion. No one can predict every single noise they’ll make, nor should they feel they must apologize for it.
Babies Cry—It’s Just Part of Life
One Facebook commenter hit the nail on the head: “We were all babies at one point in life.” Babies crying is one of the most natural sounds in the world. They communicate discomfort, hunger, and fear through their cries, and it’s a phase that every person on the plane has experienced themselves at some point in life. As adults, it’s our responsibility to show patience and empathy, not indignation or entitlement.
Babies aren’t capable of understanding the social expectation to be silent in confined spaces. While a parent can try to soothe and calm their child, they cannot control every aspect of their baby’s behavior. Expecting babies to act like adults simply isn’t fair.
A Mom’s Gesture of Earplugs and Candy—Kind But Unnecessary
The mom on the flight from Seoul to San Francisco reportedly passed out earplugs, candy, and a note written as if it were from her four-month-old baby, apologizing in advance for any noise. While many praised her thoughtfulness, the fact that she felt compelled to do this says a lot about the level of judgment parents face on flights. It likely took her considerable time and effort to organize this gesture, which could have been better spent preparing her baby for the journey.
While the act was sweet, it sets an unrealistic precedent, suggesting that parents should go above and beyond to ensure other passengers’ comfort rather than simply focusing on their child’s well-being. We shouldn’t expect parents to distribute earplugs to preemptively appease annoyed travelers. Adults are responsible for their own comfort and can certainly bring their own earplugs if noise on a plane is a concern.
Unnecessary Apologies—Why Parents Don’t Need to Say Sorry
Apologizing for a baby’s crying implies that parents and their children are intruding or burdening others simply by existing in a public space. Parents are already doing everything they can to keep their children calm and comfortable, especially during flights where there’s limited mobility and a lot of stimuli. They should not have to feel guilty for circumstances beyond their control.
In many cases, parents feed their babies during takeoff and landing to alleviate ear pressure, provide toys or snacks to keep them occupied, and even attempt to plan flights around nap times. For most parents, managing a crying or restless baby is far more stressful for them than it is for anyone else. They’re likely more focused on soothing their child than on appeasing annoyed passengers.
Kids Are Kids—And They Don’t Deserve Judgment
Flying is tough for many adults, so imagine how challenging it can be for children who don’t yet have the tools to cope. Babies and toddlers are sensitive to changes in pressure, unusual noises, and unfamiliar surroundings. They may get restless, scared, or uncomfortable, and it’s only natural for them to express these feelings.
Parents shouldn’t have to bend over backward to keep their child silent for the sake of other passengers. Rather than rolling eyes or muttering complaints, fellow travelers could benefit from showing a little empathy. After all, children are still learning and experiencing the world. They’re doing their best, just like everyone else.
The Impact of Judgment on Parents Traveling with Children
Many parents live in fear of flying with young children, not because of the challenges of travel itself, but due to the judgment they anticipate from other passengers. Some adults fail to recognize that the parents are often more anxious about their baby crying than the passengers themselves. No parent enjoys the prospect of an uncomfortable or crying child on a flight, and most do everything possible to ensure a smooth experience for everyone on board.
This judgment creates a pressure-cooker environment for parents, who are left feeling guilty, embarrassed, and even angry when their child inevitably makes noise. When fellow passengers are quick to glare or sigh loudly, it only increases the stress for both parent and child.
A Shift in Perspective: Travel Etiquette for Adults
If adults are genuinely bothered by noise on planes, it’s on them to take steps to ensure their comfort. Noise-canceling headphones, earplugs, or white-noise apps can go a long way. Many airlines even provide headphones on long-haul flights. Rather than placing the burden on parents to anticipate and cater to everyone’s comfort, adults can take simple actions to make themselves comfortable.
Additionally, an understanding attitude can go a long way. A smile, a kind word, or even a little help from fellow passengers can make a world of difference to a stressed-out parent. Let’s foster an environment where families feel welcome rather than shamed or judged for needing to travel.
Traveling With Empathy and Understanding
At the end of the day, flights are public spaces where people of all ages have a right to be. Children and babies are part of our society, and they too deserve the same respect and understanding as anyone else. Traveling can be an exhausting experience for all, but a little empathy can make the journey smoother for everyone.
No parent should feel obligated to apologize for their child simply being a child. Instead of expecting apologies, perhaps it’s time we start seeing families as equal members of our traveling community. Kids have a place in the skies, too, and with a bit of patience, everyone can get where they’re going with a bit more peace and kindness.
Conclusion: Embracing Empathy Over Judgment
The story of a mother handing out earplugs and candy on a plane may warm some hearts, but it also highlights the intense societal pressure parents face. Instead of expecting parents to apologize for their children, let’s extend compassion and understanding. After all, we were all babies once, and a crying child on a plane is simply a reminder of life’s natural, sometimes noisy, rhythms.
If adults want a more peaceful journey, they can come prepared with earplugs or headphones. But above all, let’s remember that the world—and the skies—are shared spaces. Embracing empathy over judgment will make travel a kinder experience for everyone.
