10. “Can you watch my kids for a minute?”
Flight attendants are responsible for the safety of every single person on board. They cannot and will not take on the specific legal liability or parental responsibility for your child. Their duties are to the entire cabin, not to one family. Asking them to babysit while you go to the lavatory or take a nap is an inappropriate and impossible request.
The same logic applies to pets in carriers. While they are there to ensure compliance with airline rules, they are not pet-sitters. The care and supervision of your child or pet remains your responsibility for the entire duration of the flight. For older adults traveling with grandchildren, it’s important to be prepared for the full scope of this supervisory role.
If you are a solo traveler with a small child and need to use the lavatory, the best approach is to ask for assistance from a fellow passenger. Alternatively, you can wait for a moment when a flight attendant is nearby in the galley and ask if they can simply keep an eye out from a distance for 30 seconds, making it clear you are not asking them to take responsibility. A polite framing like, “I know you can’t watch my son, but could I trouble you to just stand near my row for a moment while I use the restroom very quickly?” may be met with more understanding, but it is still a big ask. The best plan is to be self-sufficient.
