THIS POST MAY RUFFLE a few feathers and for that I do not apologise simply because I wish to encourage discussion.
On Monday I boarded a flight to make my way back to this beautiful place I proudly call home. Now I had a lil migraine because I was up for approximately 24 plus hours. Behind me sat a lady with what seemed like 52 children; however, in reality it was two toddlers and one baby in hand.
At first I was annoyed with the noise the toddlers were making, but then I remembered my humanity; they are children. But what really got me going was when the baby in hand kept hitting the headrest of my seat.
You believe that when I turned to ask the lady to stop her child from hitting the seat and explained I had a migraine, she looked at me and said to me in the full glory of her American accent: “I can’t stop them, they’re kids. We ain’t moving anyway, just let them get it out their system now.”
Let’s pause and digest what she just said, mind you she said it with attitude and, if you doubt me, ask me. I reinforced I was not referring to the noise but rather the knocking and I again explained the migraine.
You believe she asked me what I expect her to do? Mind you, I am referring to the baby in hand, the one that can’t walk good, the one that is hand held. You trying to tell me that you can’t control a baby? The one who literally depends on you for everything? Then she gine tell me tek a tablet. Had I not been on that flight due to business it would have been a different outcome.
I have no qualms with children being noisy on a plane, but as the parent it is not sufficient to say they will be children. Entertain them, walk with their favourite books or suitable toys. Pay attention to them or travel with someone who can help you, because as she so nicely pointed out, “it ain’t a private flight” so you have to be mindful that other people are there as well.
I mean if you cannot control your children when they’re on land I am not sure how you can handle them five thousand plus feet in the air. Maybe they think the air is so thin that it makes the children easier to control? I don’t know. Write to me, let me know your thoughts on this, we’ll call it “AAA” Ask Acka Anonymous.
I am Toni-Ann “Acka” Johnson. Love, peace and Mazola Corn Oil.
•Toni-Ann Johnson is an actress versed in the area of comedy. Email toniann.johnson@gmail.com
