The crying-child conundrum

TO Duncan Smith, who complained about travelers with babies and toddlers [“Please, Leave Those Screamers at Home,” Letters, Aug. 28]: I am very sorry, not because you have to hear babies crying when you travel but because intolerance is one of the worst diseases of the soul.

For many years I was a nonparent traveler, and in my trips to many countries I saw how far a gesture could go — a smile or some little help to parents of small children. After becoming a mother four years ago, I’ve been fortunate enough to find plenty of people like that.

For those who do not like children, there are many options: Earplugs can do wonders, but even better is staying at home with insulated walls.

YOLANDA ARENALES

I am a father of two, one a toddler and the other a 1-month-old infant. I am also an airline employee who travels frequently for work to far destinations.

I completely agree with Smith’s comments regarding screaming babies and toddlers. Too many times we have seen irresponsible parents of “screaming” toddlers and infants not attend to or attempt to quiet their children.

My wife and I travel only during the daytime with our kids and not on long-haul oceanic flights or red-eyes, where most passengers are sleeping.

The best thing to do is stay at home or travel only on short-haul flights. If they must travel on 10- to 14-hour flights, parents must make the effort to quiet their children, to minimize disturbances.

WILLIAM E. PRICE