One of the reasons why we try to keep our kids off the floor, even on the floor in front of the seat. Alas, we succumbed to having them hang around the floor in front the seat for a bit. Even floors in homes, and having kids play on the floors, and carpets can get unsanitary.

Indeed, I attribute my robust immune system to a childhood spent surrounded by filth.

If most of the people are sleeping, I let my kids play in the loo. The numerous levers and other gadgets keeps them busy. They also pretend it is their little hideout!

But its so unsanitary around the toilet.. Pee and poo is around, and it would be a mess trying to get the kids cleaned up. At least with us, we don't let our kids anywhere near the washroom unless they need to be, and at that we thoroughly wash hands and ensure that clothes are clean.

No need Mike, it's the perfect crime - mummy is doing her utmost to ignore Tarquin and Reign-Beau so she didn't see me do it. And none of the other passengers would tell.

I'm sorry, but no extra points for bringing idiot adults into it at this stage. FT protocols dictate that the idiot adult/ drunken businessman justification may not be used until there are at least 100 posts in a thread that berates children for bad bevaviour on an aircraft.

(How did your nanny get on with her crazy friend btw? Hope that's all resolved - I have a friend who is trying to get an order out on a guy she had a fling with and who is now stalking her. Not a nice situation dealing with nutty people)

Just make sure that you stay in your ticketed cabin, otherwise you may end up having a media temper tantrum, like legend-in-his-own-lunchtime Alan Davies.

LOL reminded me of the time my older brother and sister convinced me that the mud pies we were making really were pies. Yep I ate half of one. The things you'll do for the approval of siblings...oh yeah and you're too young to be smart. My immune system got a great boost that summer.

Yep. My kids will come inside after a day of playing in the yard full of mud, dirt, grass stains, you name it. All topped off by whatever the cats and dogs rubbed on them while playing and the germs in the sandbox, on the swings and the outdoor toys.

And here's the crazy part, not only have they survived, they never get sick. Amazing, huh?

I had sniffles, cough and sickness for many years of my young life. As soon as we moved to a newly built home it all dissappeared. I attribute the sickness to the uncleanliness I was surrounded in my childhood.

If there is a specific allergen (eg mold) then yes, those spores can cause illness. But kids being exposed to normal dirt and germs helps the immune system.

Also, many kids have mild childhood asthma type conditions that they grow out of as they get older.

My brand new home was, for the first couple of years, the dustiest house I have ever lived in!

Are you generally healthy now?

Indeed. People forget that our immune systems evolved pretty successfully without seeing as much as a bar of soap.

Please allow me to rephrase what you are saying. I saw this on a handlettered sign in a gas station washroom in Wickenburg AZ , 30 years ago !

We aim to keep washroom clean
So you aim too please
For it is shorter than you think
Also the next guy walking in
may be barefoot !!!!!

Is that the male equivalent of

'If you sprinkle
When you tinkle
Be a sweetie
Wipe the seatie' ?

I was on a redeye about five years back where there was a screaming kid about six rows ahead of us. He screamed for about fifteen minutes when the mother got up and moved him away from the rest of the family. Unfortunately, it was right behind us. He screamed and kicked the seat behind us for what seemed like an hour. I couldn't take it anymore and spoke to the FA who had the parents move him back to their own isle.

Talk about the epitome of rude parents with children on a plane!

I have experienced more children on my HNL to ORD flights lately behaving poorly. It's a redeye, so most of us are trying to sleep.
It's become more and more prevalent within the last few years. I'd say at least two out of every three flights I find young children are running up and down the aisles, kicking seatbacks, and generally being unruly during these flights.

There are always screaming babies. I've grown used to that. Headphones over earplugs help, as does my sleeping pill. Plus, it's a redeye. I'm genuinely sleepy. The parents can't always help the screaming babies.
The unruly children, IMO, is another story. Parents should not allow this behavior.

I have, unfortunately, become conditioned to expect this behavior. That's the sad part.