'We do not negotiate with tantrumists.'
Flying can test anyone’s patience, but for u/Safe_Ad_9314, one recent flight turned into a surprising lesson in setting boundaries. They had reserved a window seat—an intentional choice aimed at making their journey just a bit more enjoyable. But as soon as they settled in, a family boarded, and a conflict began brewing.
After several attempts to calm her, the father turned to the man and asked if they’d give up their seat for the child, adding, “She’s just a kid.” Yet, he gently stood his ground, explaining that the window seat was not a random perk, but something they had deliberately arranged—and even paid extra for.
The family’s six-year-old daughter quickly grew upset that she didn’t have the coveted window view. Her frustration was clear:
"I want the window! I want the window!"
— the child
Eventually, the mother distracted the child with a tablet, and the flight continued. But as everyone deboarded at their destination, the mother shot a lingering remark at u/Safe_Ad_9314:
"Some people just have no heart."
— the mother
That stung. It’s never easy to feel judged—especially when you’ve tried to be polite. Unsure if they’d done the right thing, u/Safe_Ad_9314 turned to the online community for feedback. The response was overwhelmingly supportive, reframing the encounter into a conversation about how we teach children empathy, respect, and understanding of life’s little disappointments.
Boundaries Matter—Especially in Public
Do we cave at the first sign of a tantrum, or do we help kids learn that not every wish can be granted? The community weighed in:
"You teach your kids how society works and that not everything is at their disposal all the time."
— u/hierosx
People pointed out that giving in to every demand might soothe tears in the moment, but can set unrealistic expectations for the future. If having a window seat was so important, some said, parents could plan ahead and book one. After all, this wasn’t about denying a child joy, but about showing them how to handle disappointment gracefully.
Why Tantrums Don’t Work
Many commenters stood behind the idea that it’s kinder in the long run to help children learn healthy boundaries:
"I learned when my kids were toddlers that the best policy was 'we do not negotiate with tantrumists.'"
— u/BeBearAwareOK
Setting clear limits doesn’t mean being cruel. It means showing kids that while it’s okay to feel upset, not every feeling must be instantly gratified.
Nobody Owes You Their Seat
Tip for parents: If you kiddo wants this view, book the right seats. Photo by Francesco Ungaro
At the core, many commenters reminded readers that random strangers aren’t responsible for resolving someone else’s poor planning or appeasing a meltdown:
"It’s not your responsibility to accommodate someone else’s poor planning or their child’s tantrum."
— u/experiment_ad_4
Others emphasized that saying “no” isn’t heartless—sometimes it’s a necessary act of kindness to the child, who learns that people have their own boundaries and can’t always bend.
"I am a mum of three. Kids get explained that they can’t have that seat as it’s already occupied, end of it."
— u/Sure_Freedom3
Instead of feeling guilty, u/Safe_Ad_9314 received a gentle reminder that upholding personal boundaries is part of living in a shared world. When we calmly stand our ground, we help create an environment where everyone learns that respect and empathy go both ways—even at 30,000 feet.
In the end, that’s what makes these moments matter. When we model healthy limits, we’re not just keeping a seat—we’re showing kids that there’s a bigger picture out there, one where kindness and fairness guide us all.
This article originally appeared last year.
Photo via iStock.