Every time the subject of children on airplanes comes up — which is a lot – people get very touchy. Even I went on a bit of a rant when Tuesdays with Morrie author Mitch Albom complained about being annoyed by kids on flights a while back. But guess what? I’m all in favor of kid-free zones on airplanes or even flights on which babies are banned, like a couple of airlines in Asia are implementing.

Not because I wish to accommodate those people who prefer traveling sans kids; because of us moms who have no choice but to travel with our kids. It’s hard enough flying with babies or small children without the added stress of being seated near someone who clearly wishes he were anywhere else.

Look, most parents of screaming babies hate being on that plane as much as the rest of the passengers. It’s awful being in that situation and unable to do a thing about it. What are you going to do: Lock yourself and the baby in the restroom until the “fasten seatbelt” light comes back on? Buy all the passengers a stiff drink as an apology? (I’ve heard of parents doing that, BTW.)

I’ve flown with my kids a lot, often by myself. I know it sucks to have the kid behind you crying or kicking your seat. I know it’s annoying to be showered with pretzel crumbs when the toddler next to you insists on opening his snack by himself. Let’s not even talk about diaper blowouts or spit up. But know this: that poor mom is probably doing the best she can.

But here’s something people should know, too: not everyone hates kids on planes. I have had the incredible good fortune to sit next to all sorts of kind strangers when traveling with my children. The off-duty pilot, who was extremely helpful and gracious about me nursing my baby inches away from him. The grandma happy to play peek-a-boo with a cranky infant. The purple-manicured teenager who held my son while — horror of horrors — I got airsick on an especially turbulent flight. Even the business travelers who helped me fold up my stroller so I could get through security without losing a child.

Thanks to these child-free strangers, the skies were a little bit friendlier for this frazzled, frequent-flier mom.

What experiences have you had traveling with your kids? What do you think about kid-free flights?

Last week my kids (9 and 6) had the opportunity to join me on a work trip and experience Manhattan for the first time. Needless to say, they were blown away. Seeing this city through their eyes, I was blown away too – and more than of just the sights, but of the rich lessons that I saw my kids absorbing without even realizing it.

1) Help a stranger in need. We had a metro card malfunction at a subway station one evening, and my husband and I were stuck on one side of the gate while the kids’ tickets went through and they were on other side. Parenting Panic! A man noticed us and used his card to get us through without even pausing to get a thank you.

2) It’s always a good time (and age) to dance or sing. While walking through the park, on a circular medallion etched into the concrete, it became immediately clear we had to make up a song and twirl around. It was the first time ever my daughter was so spontaneous and didn’t care who was watching. Later that night while watching the Philharmonic on the lawn, a group of about 100 concert goers began leaping and spinning like ballerinas to the music, led by one elderly gentleman. Everywhere we went from subway stations to underneath bridges, there were expressive musicians giving us a soundtrack to our lives.

3) Care about what you build. In a time where we are just trying to get things done as quickly as possible, it was so inspiring for the kids to see, everywhere they looked, how much love and purposeful artistic effort was put into so many things around them.

4) Embrace romance. This was an epiphany for my 9 year old son, who was so inspired by rowing a boat on Central Park lake that he declared he would one day bring a girlfriend to this lake and propose to her. This is a kid who barely hugs, people!

5) Be spiritual, no matter what your religion is. This lesson came inside the exquisite St. Patrick’s Cathedral, as they took in the flickering prayer candles, people with their heads bent deep in prayer, and their mom silently weeping over the beauty of it all. I got to explain, that no matter what their religion is, to find a place like that, that offers such deep spiritual feeling and connection — that’s what it’s all about.