how about the shorter, daytime flights of about 5+ hours? should i be making changes there too?
Well, that's trickier. As a PP mentioned, when FF, my younger DD WILL kick the seat in front of her. When I have no options (that is I am flying with her by myself) I give the person in front of her the option of not reclinging or being kicked. Or I warn them they may want to move if there are other open seats on the aircraft.
But since you are flying with a family group, I'm not sure what the issue is? Just rearrange seats amongst your family to optimize the situation. Just make sure that your group is not in or too close to an exit row, then you have limited options.
One option is to ask for the bulkhead, but personally I really dislike the bulkhead when flying with children. I've been on too many delayed flights and not having access to our carry-on (all carryon must be in the overhead bin with bulkhead seats) would be dreadful.
Beth, mom to older DD (8/01) and younger DD (10/06) and always missing Leah (4/22 - 5/1/05)