Ok. This reminds me of a trip. Yep, one of those long flights. First Anchorage to Seattle then short hop to Portland and then Portland to Dallas. I was sitting in row 16 which is an exit row about mid plane. From the time when the captain turned off the seat belt sign, I could hear a child in the back who was crying.
I tune it out and started a movie I brought. First drink service, earplugs out...kid still crying. "Oh, those poor people." I thought to myself as I silently thanked God above that I was not a parent trying to travel with a young child. Earplugs back in, movie resumed. Food cart came around. Kid still crying. Food consumed...Kid still crying. My heart was going out to them. Oh, and I needed the bathroom. I start back. I see that several of the last rows are not occupied and this daddy with the screaming container of humanity was in the last row. I walked past him and went to the bathroom. I was feeling sorry for this young parent all alone with this very unhappy human. I thought, "Gee, he might need to use the bathroom, too, and there is no way he is getting in her with that kid." I came out and stopped to say hello. Kid still crying. This kid was about 2 years old. Much older than I had thought when I was up several rows. I spoke the the poor dad. "Pretty rough flight. I am sorry you are going through such a hard time. Your little boy isn't giving you a break, huh?" and he chuckled a little and said, "No, he isn't very happy." I said, "Look, I know I am a stranger, but I just wondered if you need a hand. I could watch him while you take a bathroom break. The flight attendants are right there and you can tell them to keep an eye on me if you like."

Then, he answered and I can say, I was shocked. He said, "Oh, thank you so much. That is very kind. I don't really need to get up. He is just upset because he wants to sit with his mom and it is his sister's turn." He pointed to a young mom who was obliviously ignoring all of this from about 4 rows in front of us.

I looked at him and said, "Are you freaking kidding me! Just because you decide that today is a good day to teach your kid a lesson, you put a whole plan full of people in misery! Seriously! Dude, this is not the hill to die on in a battle of wills with your kid." I then marched back to my seat.

In a few minutes, the flight attendant tapped me on the shoulder. I thought, "Oh, man, I have done it now. I was only about 5 feet from 3 flight attendants when I spoke to this gentleman. I looked up and she was smiling. She said, "I have had several offers to buy you a drink ma'am but I would like to offer you a complimentary beverage on behalf of the crew." I realized the crying had stopped. I busted out laughing.

Well, as the fates would have it, I needed another bathroom break about an hour later. (YES, I have to potty twice on a 3 1/2 hour flight. I don't like it, either.) As I walked to the back, I saw this little mind-controlling child happily coloring next to his mommy while his sister was sitting in the back with her daddy. He looked up at me as I walked by and quickly looked away.

Oh well, it was a quiet flight after that.