Our flights were on time and uneventful. We got to fly the first leg of out trip on this pretty plane. Of course you can't really see the lovely plane from inside!
My venting: From HNL to SEA we had the most obnoxious children sitting in front of us that I have seen in some time. Not only did the children talk so loudly during announcements and instructions, the parents made no attempt to soften their children's conversation. This was a family of 5 with the father and 2 girls approximately 4 and 6 years old. The mother was across the isle with the demonic 2-year-old boy that screamed, not cried, but screamed at the top of his lungs about 30% of the trip when he was not getting his way or when his sisters were abusing him in some form. They passed the boy back and forth multiple times to try to keep him happy. Neither of them knew what he wanted though they tried frantically to make him happy. But the child who bothered me the most was the 4-year-old girl. She and her father were having some sort of discussion the little girl told her father, "You can't talk to me like that. I am not a baby and you can't treat me like one." The father mumbled something about the fact that she might want a spanking and that made her even madder and louder. She repeated the above phrases so loudly I am sure several rows heard what was going on. She repeated this over and over, not just a few times. Finally the father stopped trying to talk to her. She had "won" the battle. I wonder if they ever had any control over these children? If they did, they no longer did. I pity them when those kids are teenagers unless they get some help in parenting before then. There was a demand for food that followed, the little darlings didn't like what the parents brought along so the father bought a snack plate, that didn't suit the child either and she tossed some of it on the floor. It was almost time to land and that meant the 2-year-old had to be in his seat. Oh boy, the wailing never stopped until he was released again. I can't see how parents expect their children to behave on an airplane if they aren't expected to behave in day-to-day life! At this age, I blame the parents for lack of discipline. I only hoped they were not continuing on to Fresno!
We had a short wait in Seattle with a bite to eat and then on to Fresno. What a contrast when a family of 4 got on the plane to sit in front of us. They had 2 polite young daughters that asked if the parents wanted some help. They quietly asked parents questions and parents answered them. Clearly there was love and respect between them. I complimented the mom on what well behaved children they had and thanked them. I told the daughters I hoped they knew how fortunate they were to have parents who cared enough about them to train them in a proper manner. What a difference!
When we got to the airport Matt and Sierra had friends there to pick them up. We had arranged for the mentor family to pick up Julie. John and I took a taxi home with Scrip, which ended up costing us $5 even with the tip! I am glad we heard about this program and checked it out before this trip. A nice thing for seniors, such savings! I believe it is $25 for $100 in Scrip. John took care of it so I'm not really sure. We won't be asking family or friends for 5a airport runs anymore!!!
Anyway, we are home... and the reality of Mom being gone is overwhelming. It was much easier to be in denial when we were in Hawaii.
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