A woman has defended her decision in refusing to swap seats on a plane in order to let a family sit together.
We all know how stressful flying can be…
From airport security to disembarking at the other end, things can quite often not go to plan.
And now, one woman has caused controversy by sharing her refusal to move seats in order to let a family sit together.
Maresa Friedman has been forced to defend herself, declaring that she is “not a villain.”
Naturally, the viral TikTok has divided the internet.
And people have a lot to say!
Read on for the full story…
Now, there’s nothing quite as rewarding as parenthood.
The love between you and your child is something unlike any other feeling on earth… It’s a pretty magical thing.
Although you try and do the best for your child…
Everyone has an opinion on what you’re doing wrong.
There are many things that make parenthood irritating…
But there’s one thing pretty much every parent out there can relate to, which is feeling like you’re not giving your kids the best.
And there are a whole host of controversial decisions to be made around parenting.
It’s safe to say, people have some pretty strong opinions…
Like, for example, how to split duties between parents…
With single parenting being even tougher!
And modern parents have even more stresses to go through.
Technology has made the already hard job of parenting even trickier — especially as kids grow older.
There’s another big issue for parents, these days.
The highly topical issue of helicopter parenting.
It can be tricky to toe the line between responsible and overprotective.
But it’s important to foster independence and trust in your kids, to risk a serious rebellion down the line.
It often all comes down to communication.
And making sure your kids feel they can come to you with their problems will always make things easier.
Respect is another pertinent issue when it comes to parenting.
As a lack of respect is really what most fights between parents and kids come down to.
Patience is also key.
As any parent will tell you, you need the patience of a saint on some days.
The feeling of inadequacy can also bring parents down.
But if you’re trying your best, rest assured — you’re being a top-level parent!
Trying to instill discipline is key.
But, let’s be honest — it’s not always possible! Sometimes kids just aren’t in the mood to be obedient.
There’s something else that can make parenting seem scary.
That feeling that there just isn’t enough time!
Not only do days rush past when you’re super busy taking care of a little one…
But you want to treasure the precious, fleeting moments of your child’s early days (and years).
Dealing with fear is another big issue of parenting.
With a world out there that feels vast and frightening, it can be tempting to wrap you child up in cotton wool.
But you need to allow your child to experience life for themselves!
So long as they always know they can rely on you to help them out in times of need!
A lot of good parenting actually relies on relinquishing of control.
Which is, as any parent knows, easier said than done.
But you’ve got this!
The very fact you’re concerned about becoming a better parent means you’re already doing a great job!
However, not everyone appreciates the trials and tribulations of parenthood in the same way.
It can be particularly hard to find sympathy when you’re in a confined space!
And that’s exactly what happened to one woman when she was asked to move seats on an airplane by a family looking to sit together.
“I am not a villain for moving from the seat in first class I paid full fare for,” she wrote.
“I’m also a mom, so it’s called PLANNING AHEAD,” Friedman said.
The viral TikTok has, however, divided opinion…
One person agreed with Friedman: “Thank you! As a child-free person I get shamed for not moving. I paid full price. I’m not moving.”
Another said: “You did the right thing. Don’t feel no kind of way. I’ve been through it. And absolutely not did I move.”
Others disputed the clip’s content, with one person asking: “What does being a mom have to do with this?”
“Some booking options don’t guarantee seats will be together, so blaming the mom for an issue isn’t necessarily her fault,” another wrote.
However, others saw the funny side, with one person writing: “As soon as I sit down, the noise canceling headphones go on. Any ridiculous requests will be treated as noise.”
You can watch the TikTok here.
What would you have done in that situation?