We are the reason your seats were changed

MEX to MSP. Traveling with kids. This was the return leg after an eight day vacation. Except the vacation had to get cut short due to health issues. My partner’s autoimmune disease flared and we needed to get back to the states. Originally we were going to connect to LAX then to MSP. I always pay extra to pick our own seats, every time, to make sure we are together. Just three days into our trip and twenty four hours before takeoff, we changed flights to connect to MEX then MSP.

Our first leg to MEX was smooth. We were all sat together. Then the second leg they had us separated. 18 C/D and 16 C/D. The kids were having none of it. There were tears. There was pleading. ‘Mom sit with me.’ I tried reasoning with them. Explaining these were the only seats. It was starting to become a scene. Someone offered to move so then we had 18 B C and D. Nope, kids still didn’t want me across the aisle. FA asked 18A if they would trade. Gratefully they said yes. I told the FA I’d take the trade only if the person wanted to, not if it was forced. The kids settled in okay and the rest of the travel home was smooth.

I did notice FA had the original 18 A do something on the phone, I’m assuming sky miles. They also checked in with me a few times throughout the flight to make sure the kids were okay. I explained our situation. During service the FA gave me a full can of Diet Coke, not just the little cup, which helped the headache of cutting vacation short.

So to the two people who moved: thank you. And to the rest of the plane who saw my children melt down: I’m sorry.

Edit: so glad no one else has had a rough day of parenting. Love the comments insulting me over and over. Love the comments that assume I wasn’t trying to talk to my kids.

The youngest kid had a stomach ache. The oldest wanted to sit right next to me, and, yes, is stubborn. I did not directly ask anyone to move. I told the kids they’d have to get off the plane if they didn’t pick a seat. Thankfully people volunteered. The medical issue is getting addressed, and hopefully will be better soon.

To the few who showed compassion in a stressful situation, thank you. To all the judgments and hate that I’m a terrible person, well…thank you. The travel sucked but I did my best in the situation we had.