I was on a 3 hour flight from Mexico to the US and I was with my husband, almost 3 year old and 15 month old.

I was prepared with unlimited snacks, unlimited screen time, dollar store toys wrapped in tissue paper, stickers etc. We even gave them to the other kids around us. Our lap infant  only cried once and my toddler only kicked the seat in-front of him on accident. So overall I thought the flights were great however, the man in front of us had his seat leaned back and when my baby woke up she kicked his seat. He was drinking liquor before and I’m not sure that he noticed my husband was holding her but instead of looking around to to discuss his grievances his man in his fourties’ turned around and was CLEARLY drunk and about to yell at my husband and daughter.

Mind you- I have NO issues with people correcting my kids on their behavior in public but I do not tolerate anyone yelling at my kids. I grew up in an environment with lots of screaming and I dated people in the past who were aggressive. I am extremely uncomfortable with people yell and I am working VERY hard at breaking that cycle in my family. I do not want my children to accept yelling as a normal part of their life and if someone is going to correct my kids they can talk to them with respect.

So my baby was sitting on my husbands lap and kicked his seat quickly a few times while his seat was leaned back. And before my husband was about to redirect her this man turned around and was raising his voice and about to yell at us. Before he could I interrupted him and said, “My daughter is a baby she is trying her best. We all are. Your seat is leaned back and I can’t hold her because I’m tending to my toddler. She can’t reach your seat if you lean forward but if you raise your voice at my kids I will consider that harassment and I will start recording.”

This man was LIVID when I said this- he scoffed and turned around and moved his seat back up then eventually reclined it again and the baby did kick it again on descent because she’s a baby. My son doesn’t have this issue. This man never talked to us again. I made it clear he could speak to us, but he will NOT be yelling unless he wants to be recorded for my safety. Especially flying into a state that’s has stand your ground laws I don’t trust people who yell at as a default not to shoot me.

Is there a better way in the moment to prevent someone from yelling? Immediately- bedsides getting a seat for my baby (that will happen next flight)