I have found that for some odd reason whenever my daughter and I fly together, our seat assignments (usually in paid F) get separated. She has been flying in her own seat since she was 6 weeks old. She is now 5 years old. I can't remember the last flight I was on with her where I DID NOT have to ask someone to switch.

I expect people to switch with me in those circumstances but you wouldn't believe how often I have gotten a glare or some off handed comment, to which I often respond, "if you'd like to sit next to my daughter, I'd be thrilled to take a nap!" They usually lighten up and exchange seats. Oddly enough I have received a compliment on her in flight behavior on every flight. They range from "we didn't even know there was a kid in F" to "she was so fun to talk to!" Passengers seem to chat up my daughter on flights, don't know why!. It's normal to me that she is calm and quiet on flights but I think most people are used to the "screaming kid" stereotype on an airplane so they just expect that.

If I'm not flying with her, I'm solo and I always seem to get asked to move. I really don't like moving because I prefer a window bulkhead seat but usually agree anyway.