We parents know better than anyone else that a plane with a screaming child a few rows back is a special kind of torture. How could it get any worse? If you’re the one with the screaming child.

Many a passenger has endured the wails of an infant who is too young to understand how to make that ear-popping pain go away. A slightly smaller population of flyers has actually had to deal with A) the messily frantic yet fruitless application of apple juice, B) the guilt for torturing a hostile captive audience, and C) the utter sense of panic that your child is in pain and you can’t do anything to make it better. Having experienced this on long family trips to the Philippines when my guys were younger, I can absolutely empathize with the struggling parents and am often tempted to comfort them. But, it doesn’t make the screaming any more pleasant.

Today, there are increasing numbers of airlines placing restrictions on air travel for families with young babies. No little ones allowed in first class and even child-free flights. I know some parents are a little offended by this idea. 

I actually think it isn’t a bad one, but I’d like to take it one step further: I’d like to see a family-focused airline. Maybe the restrooms would feature enough room for real changing tables. There could even be a separate section for parents to take their crying little ones or for moms to nurse. And everyone on the flight would be as understanding as possible when the child in seat 23A starts sobbing. Maybe the flight attendants could pass out pacifiers with the pretzels and double as nannies! (I realize the latter might be taking it too far.)

Ultimately, to those first class passengers who complained and to any passenger that threw me a dirty look as I tried to calm my own babies, just know that it really isn’t fun for us parents either. But, inevitably, a parent will have to fly somewhere quickly, baby in tow. And we’d be happy to fly separately from you too!

What are your thoughts? Should planes ditch their baby-on-board stickers for first class passengers? For all passengers? Or do travelers sans children need to lighten up a little? Also, how do you think can airlines become more family-friendly?

The other day on our Care.com Facebook page, we asked parents about their greatest fear. Not surprisingly, we got a slew of responses, and topping off the list of fears: kidnapping. “Where’s my child?” It’s the question that no parent ever wants to ask. Ever. And many of us go to great lengths to ensure we never do. We hold hands, we make buddy systems, and we grow an ever-vigilant sixth sense. And some of us break down and get leashes.

A parenting abomination or simply safety? You see them at fairs, Disneyland, and the mall. Kids, exploring the world at the end of a leash or safety harness. Parents, breathing easy, knowing their child is close by?

I can’t say that I’ve had much personal experience. My guys were born far enough apart that I never found myself needing to worry about them both running off at the same time. But, as CEO of a caregiving site that makes safety a priority, I can completely understand the lure of the leash. Especially when kids are in those energetic early childhood years. A sure-fire system to ensure your kids are close-by, at all times? No running through the grocery store after a long workday? No chasing through crowds on vacation? Yes, please. And I’ll just need a background check for that leash manufacturer too...

And yet, many parents have an incredibly strong reaction to a leashed child – also understandable. While the leash-using parents may be gaining safety, I wonder if they are also losing something. How is your child learning when the world beyond the leash is just out of reach? And what happens when the safety harness comes off – does this affect behavior at home? Finally, if you are also taking your dog for a walk, can you really have a Golden Retriever in one hand with your child in the other?

What do you think? Is safety your number one priority – even if it means leashing up the kids? Have you seen kids out and about on leashes? Would you ever purchase a safety harness for your children? If you have leashed your kids, would you recommend it to other parents? While leash-safety is up for debate, I think we can all agree that every parent’s intention is one and the same: giving our kids the best possible childhood on the planet.

Check out Wendy Sachs, Editor-in-Chief of Care.com, talking about the pros and cons of kids on leashes!

The gentle clink of plastic sippy cups. The slosh of the apple juice. The high-pitched strains of a toddler. Each evokes a very familiar picture for parents across the country – but do these sounds belong at date night?

After a long week, there is nothing like a night out on the town with your significant other in tow. Last time I blogged about it and asked if you were getting out of the house, 62% said you were too stressed to even go to the gym or call a friend, much less spend intimate time with your spouse. Since then, I’ve been pleasantly surprised to hear that many readers have actually been inspired to take a night off with their loved one. Cheers to a little YOU time!

So I have to ask, did the kids tag along on date night? I was at a mid- to upscale restaurant a while ago, and I noticed a family with a toddler in the corner. The child was calm, but eventually began to make it clear that it was time to go. The dad whisked the child out of the restaurant, the mom took care of the bill, and that was that. Our dinner was not interrupted in the slightest.

On the other hand, whose dinner or movie hasn’t been interrupted by the shrill cries of an unhappy baby? How did everyone around you react? With annoyance or tolerance? Did you give the parents an understanding and supportive smile? Or shoot them an angry glare?

Do parents have a right to bring their kids along for date night? Or should there be a strict No Kids Allowed policy? When is it okay to bring the kids and when should you call the babysitter? Post a comment and share your point of view!

And check out these great articles on date night and taking care of your own wellbeing:

Real Talk Video: Date Night

Why Working Moms Should Celebrate Themselves as Role Models

Get More Energy, Naturally