I always select aisle/window, often with party of 4 in row behind the other. I have NEVER been refused by one of the middle occupants in either row to change to whichever we offered, window or aisle, usually window. But if anyone did object, it would be no big deal to sit as such. When SDC'ing or flying standby we often get split up if we are last to get seats, and that works too. At least we are on our preferred flight for that day and we get home while others on the waitlist roll to the next flight. We spend enough time together that we don't need one more flight as such. Although when kids were youthful in such an arrangement, they left video game cartridges in the seat pocket that we never saw again. And an ipod, too. Expensive seating arrangement. lol.

That said, when kiddos were infants and cried from air pressure changes on descent, I would do my best to calm them and keep them from kicking the seat in front, and even proactively attempt to make the situation better with a bottle just before descent (we would bring it on board with ice packs), but if a nearby passenger had the gall to give me a really intentionally nasty stare due to the crying, I would let the kiddo cry it out (it didn't change the pain in their ears) and smile back at them - as they disliked it more than I. I was used to the tears and noise but I will not be bullied because a child can't keep it together. I never take issue with a crying child as the parent has it hard enough as it is. Bose headphones and ipod are all it takes to drown it out and let them handle their own situation without others input. My 2 cents.