Any parent will know that sometimes you feel judged when you’re in a public place and your kids aren’t behaving as well as you’d like.

And the truth is lots of us have been guilty of judging other parents for having noisy little ones too – when we all know it can be difficult to keep them under control.

One mum says a man was huffing and puffing about her and her toddler as they sat behind him on a flight.

She said it was the first time her child went on a plane – and understandably found it to be

Stephanie Hollifield, a parenting blogger, wrote an open letter published on Momstrosity to the annoyed man.

She wrote: "To the Gentleman on Flight 1451,

"I first noticed you when you sighed loudly as you laid eyes on me and my toddler boarding the plane.

"In a momentary lapse of judgement, we sat behind you. It was the nearest set of seats, and I couldn’t wait to put my child and our heavy bags down.

"From the over-dramatic huffs and puffs you let out as we buckled in, it was clear that you were annoyed by our very presence.

"At this point, my little girl was laughing and playing, obviously too loud for your liking.

"I wondered if you had a bad day, or if this grouchy temperament was your normal behavior.

She continued to say that it the first time that I had ever flown with a child, and I was making half of the trip without my husband after spending weeks researching tips to keep her daughter calm.

"I did everything in my power to keep her calm and quiet. I shushed her, and made sure her little feet didn’t kick your seat.

"As we took off, her tears started. The kicking and the screaming tantrums came on fast. She was exhausted and fussy.

"You did not let up with your mutters of annoyance and looks over your shoulder. I apologized to everyone around me. I almost started crying myself.

"I was feeling shame and guilt for not being able to control my own child."

The mum added that she felt at her wits end when a flight attendant came over and gave her baby a straw and cup to play with – and she was suddenly content.

"The kind attendant told us, ‘It’s ok! Flying is tough on everyone, and you are both doing great!’"

Somehow, her kindness calmed the baby and made the mum feel better.

She added that kids are the future, and while they might be "inconvenient" now – they’ll be the people doing amazing things when we’re all grey and old.

It’s an important reminder not to judge mums and dads who are clearly doing their best when their kids won’t be quiet in a public place.

Anyone who has cared for little ones will know how tough it can be – and it doesn’t take much to smile and be kind instead of rolling your eyes to make parents feel bad.

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