Originally Posted by
vicarious_MR'er
Other than being a bit
at why this ancient post was revived this morning, I'll respond anyway.
You are "disappointed and disturbed"? Why? Because most people--including parents of young children like myself-- don't approve of lap children? That's our prerogative.
Other people budgets aren't my concern, nor are family visits. Most of our family is in Israel, too, as a matter of fact, and none of them except my H's parents have met our daughter at all and they've only met our son once because between life expenses and everything else, it hasn't been in the budget to go visit as a family, and it's not in their budget to come to us, either. That's life! Not fun, but it is what it is.
We're hoping to go in the winter, which isn't the season we would LIKE to go, but we'll go then because the prices are lower and it makes it more realistic for us. You should do the same if you can't afford tickets for your kids. The attitude of "hey, my kid is probably going to disturb others, but oh well because I don't have $1600" is exactly why so many people are against lap children. No one here needs to "think twice." People who take huge toddler as lap "babies" are the ones who need to re-evaluate.
I am not looking for approval. What I would be looking for is understanding which I don't get. The way I see it I have no choice. There are circumstances beyond my control where I don't believe I can stay back. I really wish it was against the rules and then I wouldn't have to go or someone else would be forced to pay for it. At the end of the day the choice is between making my mother happy or not upsetting some passengers that I probably will never see ever again. This in addition to the fact that it's not 100% that she will make problems. I would like to commend you that you put the happiness of other passengers at such a high level. Unfortunately the happiness of my fellow passengers is not worth $1500. Another point worth making is that at least one Airline (Alitalia) will not even allow you to purchase a seat for your child if they are under two. So what would you just never take that airline for the sake of those passengers?
Originally Posted by
6rugrats
I agree, why did you bump up this five year old thread and why do you think anyone is "passing judgment" on you? In any case, by your post you are doing the exact same thing. Did you think of that?
I did a search because I was looking for something else related to lap children and this thread came up. As I started to read through I decided to post. I don't think it should be considered bumping. Bumping as far as I understand it (and I am in many many forums of all types) is when someone asks a question and doesn't get a response so they just make a post solely for the sake of the thread reappearing and hopefully then getting it a response.
With that being said I do respect the opinion of everyone here albeit vehemently disagree with them. In my situation it's either go with a lap child or not go. I choose the former. Maybe they should have a weight limit but until then parents have the right to take lap children until age 2. One thing I can say for sure is that even though until now I never have, after this I will never fault another parent for deciding to take a lap child.
I decided to add a few things. There is a good chance that my daughter will behave well because she tends to behave well around people she doesn't know. Also for the record if she does cause problems I will really feel bad for those people that she bothers and I will apologize to them. I am not going to be like someone who says it's your problem not mine. We are also weighing the possibility of sleeping medication or benadryl. Also we will be checking a car seat anyways so if there is a possibility that there is an open seat, we will request to put the car seat there. I don't know if they will allow this even if the seat is open and if they do i still don't know if the seat meets regulations. Even still with all that being said, knowing my daughter I don't think the issue of sitting in our lap will really make a difference. If she starts getting cranky, the best place for her will be on mine or my wife's lap regardless of seat. The only thing the seat would do is make it easier on us when she is sleeping. Lastly I would like to say that my wife and I are taking all possible measures to give the best chance of a pleasant and peaceful flight for us, our daughter, and our fellow passengers other than of course buying another seat..