Mum slammed in divisive post for plane 'hack' that keeps her toddlers quiet

"Lazy and disrespectful..." someone said, but another wrote, "If it keeps them entertained, I see no problem with it."

A mum’s unconventional hack to keep her little ones quiet on a plane has sparked a heated debate online. 

The post was shared by a mum who documents her life living abroad and travelling with her two toddlers.

She's now asked to remain anonymous for privacy reasons - and because of intense backlash to the controversial hack.

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A 'major win' for long-haul flights with toddlers

In the photos, she shows her toddler scribbling on the wall of the plane with a marker.

In other snaps, he's drawing on the back of seats, the tray tables and even the chairs.

She wrote in the caption: “These are a great tool to pull out when the iPad has run its course.

"I prefer to let my toddler use these when I want him to go to sleep because the iPad stimulates him and I find it’s harder to get him to sleep. And we all know a sleeping toddler on a long flight is a MAJOR WIN.”

She added: “This [was] on our Delta domestic leg. I was proactive to tell the flight attendant they wipe off. She gave me a sigh of relief 😂.

“However, Qatar Airways don’t even bat an eye when I use these! I do find that international flights are much more kid-friendly and tolerant.”

Image: IStock

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"That's just downright trashy"

After fierce backlash, the mum deleted the post, but not before it was picked up and shared in parenting groups everywhere.

On one Facebook page, a massive debate broke out about the controversial ‘hack’, with many agreeing that keeping kids entertained shouldn’t come at the cost of disrespecting property.

Some argued that the wipeable surfaces justified the method, but others still believed that it promoted disrespectful behaviour and set a bad example.

One user remarked, “Irrespective of these colours being washable or not, I believe this is horrible parenting.” 

Another chimed in, “Hell no. This teaches the child to do whatever they want and then correct it at their very own convenience.”

“That’s just downright trashy. Don't be that parent,” another stated.

Then there was this perspective: “So disrespectful to the airlines' property. Kids will cry or whatever, but if your answer to that is to teach them to trash other people's property, shame on you.”

And finally, this suggestion: “Give them paper. Never encourage drawing on walls, even on chalk walls… it’s very confusing to children when you then shout at them for drawing on the wrong wall!!”

Some commenters were brutal, with one writing, “Lazy, she clearly doesn’t want to parent,” and another claiming, “You are creating a monster that is unfit for society.”

"If it keeps then quiet, I see no issue"

But some saw the mum's perspective and insisted it wasn’t that bad. 

“If it keeps them quiet and she cleans it up before getting off the flight, then I see no issue.

“I'd have an issue with two screaming kids on a plane for multiple hours though, it's your choice,” read one comment.

“If I was sitting behind or in front of them, I’d say thank you to that mum for keeping them occupied. If you can’t beat ‘em, join 'em,” claimed another. 

And a third wrote: “Well if the airline is okay with it so be it just clean it afterwards.”

Originally published as Mum slammed in divisive post for plane 'hack' that keeps her toddlers quiet