Mom with screaming kids fears being kicked off a flight until a kind stranger comes to her aid

Jessica Rudeen had to board a plane with her irritable children. She was at her wits' end and wasn't sure how she was going to manage.

The mother-of-two was traveling to North Carolina and had her hands full with her three-year-old daughter, Caroline, and 4-month-old son, Alexander. Nothing went according to plan.

As reported by American Web Media, Caroline was excited about the trip, but her enthusiasm turned to fear as soon as she stepped on to the plane.

She was terrified and begged to be let off the aircraft. Failing that, Caroline started to scream and kick. Rudeen somehow managed to get Caroline to her seat, but that wasn't the end of her troubles.

Alexander didn't eat before the flight, and hunger pangs made him irritable as well. Rudeen apologized profusely to everyone around her as she tried to calm her children down.

At first, Rudeen felt terrible for the elderly gentleman seated next to Caroline. She was worried that her rowdy children would disturb him, and wasn't sure how he would react.

Instead of ignoring her, or worse, scolding her, Todd Walker sprang into action and helped Rudeen. Caroline was mesmerized by him, and soon the duo was in a deep conversation.

Walker kept her occupied by pointing out interesting sights outside the window and even joined her in a few coloring-in exercises.

Rudeen was amazed and didn't know how to thank Walker. He assured her that no thanks was needed, and explained how a stranger had helped his wife years ago when she struggled with their two sons.

Not only was he happy to pay it forward, but when he learned that Rudeen would be on the same connecting flight as him, Walker changed seats so that he could sit in the same row.

Rudeen took to Facebook to share the experience with her friends and followers. Later, in an interview with Scary Mommy, she had advice for other struggling parents.

'If someone reaches out a hand to help you, be cautious but don’t be afraid to accept when you need it. Kindness is everywhere, and sometimes we are too busy to see it.'

Jessica Rudeen, Scary Mommy, April 24, 2018.