Flying is just as big of a test for children as it is for the people around them. After all, it takes time to get used to sitting quietly for hours on end and the ear-popping changes in air pressure. And it’s not like you can blame the parents too. They’re usually doing their best to sedate their kids in one way or the other. Usually. But not always.

Recently, Reddit user u/WitchesCoven99 uploaded a story to r/EntitledParents about the time she met a particularly obnoxious woman on a plane to London. When her 7-year-old son got bored, she couldn’t be bothered to do anything about it. Instead, the mother thought it was OK to outsource the task of calming down her child to a complete stranger.

She saw the Redditor watching a movie on her phone and immediately demanded she use it for entertaining the boy. And that’s not even the worst part. The woman wouldn’t take no for an answer.

Image credits: notso (not the actual photo)

Image credits: WitchesCoven99

Honest Mum’s Vicki Broadbent said there are many ways in which parents can prepare for flights with children

Image credits: Vicki Broadbent / Honest Mum

Vicki Broadbent, an award-winning lifestyle blogger, parenting expert, and bestselling author of Mumboss (UK) and The Working Mom (the US and Canada), told Bored Panda that flying with kids doesn’t have to be a drag. “In my hand luggage, for example, I take snacks, drinks, a blanket, card games, small toys, and some items of tech where I’ve already downloaded films, games, and meditations that can help them relax and sleep,” Vicki explained. “Of course, last-minute flights occur and we don’t know the context of this mother’s situation and how rushed she was when it came to traveling and being organized, but assuming you’ll have access to other traveler’s sources of entertainment isn’t wise and I can see why this man was annoyed by it.”

The mom of two boys with a baby girl on the way said that it’s unrealistic to expect children to sit still and not cry or express themselves on a flight. “I find it unreasonable that other adults expect children to suddenly become silent on flights. I try where possible to book night flights so my children can sleep but this isn’t always an option,” Vicki Broadbent said. “Of course, do fly prepared, taking items that can help soothe your child (their favorite toy or game/ app, milk, a pacifier, etc) but equally the onus should be on fellow travelers to act reasonably and remember that they too were once a baby/child themselves! No one is more stressed than a parent on a plane with a crying baby or child.”

The possibility of your kid causing some sort of trouble shouldn’t discourage you from taking them on a trip though. A survey of almost 1,500 U.S.-based teachers, commissioned by the Student and Youth Travel Association (SYTA), found that 74 percent of educators believe that travel has a very positive impact on students’ personal development.

Furthermore, a majority of teachers (56 percent) think that travel can benefit a student’s education and career as well. Getting more pragmatic, 42 percent of teachers thought that a well-traveled kid looked more attractive to college admissions recruiters.

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Teachers agree that children who experience cultures other than their own tend to have increased tolerance and respectfulness, willingness to learn, and a willingness to try new things.

Not only do teachers believe that travel is useful in the classroom, but they think it can also help on the playground. Kids who traveled were more likely to have higher levels of independence, self-esteem, confidence, adaptability, and sensitivity. They were also more likely to be more outgoing and have better self-expression than kids who stayed at home.

And if your child loathes flying, you don’t have to rely on strangers. There are things you can do to help them.

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