Kids Say the Darndest Things

As the mom of three Labrador Retrievers, I can honestly say I don't know how hard it must be to navigate air travel with human children.  I do know that people roll their eyes and heavy sigh at parents who can't seem to magically make their children be completely silent for a 6-hour flight (!!).  "Really?" I want to ask these eye-rollers.  "I can't get the chatty Cathy next to me who is 63 to stop telling me about her arthritis, why would we expect a 2-year old to stay silent for such a long flight?"  

My L.A. to JFK flight yesterday was no different.  A woman ("bless her heart" is what we say in the South) had a 3 1/2 year old and a five-year old.  The five year old wanted to tell her mom every SINGLE thing she was seeing outside the window "Did you see that cloud?"  "Wow, we are far up in the air" and "I can see houses on the ground" were all met with "Hmmm-mmmm" .  Just like Dave responds to me sometimes.  I get it.

As we approached New York City, the captain came on and said, "We have a few clouds that are keeping them from letting us land.  It may take us a few minutes before they allow us to land.  Just be patient."  His comment was immediately met with the 3 1/2 year old singing, "Rain, rain go away, Come again some other day.  All the people on the plane want to play".  In perfect pitch, I might add.  Smiles from even the grumpiest air travelers around him.  

Mom tried to get both kids to believe "We'll be on the ground in just a few minutes."  She didn't convince them....or us, for that matter. 

Mom tried a different tact---she handed the 3 1/2 year old a puzzle book.  

All was silent.....for about 60 seconds.  

All of a sudden, from out of nowhere, we all heard (probably even the pilot) the 3 1/2 year old announce, "I just did Number 2!"

All eyes turned to the woman, who clearly wanted to shrink and disappear.  I even heard a few "Ugh!"s from passengers.

Just then, the toddler piped up again, "Look! I just did Number 7 and Number 3.  Easy!"  

I am not lying when I tell you there was almost an audible sound of relief when we realized he was working on the numbered puzzles on the page.  

I think it is just the nature of children to say what is on their minds....at all times.....in all places.

Just for today, why not appreciate the humor that is inherent in communication and miscommunication?  

Happy Communicating!

Shelly