BUT DON'T.
Because if you do, you will die. And where does that leave your kid?
Instead, if you take the oxygen mask and put it on, then breathe, breathe real deep, you can save your child and anyone else on the plane that you want. (Except please don't save that guy who was a douche to the flight attendant. He's on his own.)
It's no different for the on-the-ground, day-to-day reality - you must save yourself first. Except in real life, it's less clear where the emergency is exactly or really the problem is there are just so many emergencies at once. Most importantly, down here on the ground, no one is unraveling any oxygen masks for us.
Then how do we save ourselves? Everyone's manual will be different. For me, I have to write. This blog, haikus, a text to my husband that I love him. I have to walk or hike or ride my babyish-looking bike with my babyish helmet and have people wave at me not quite sure. I have to be with my husband and kids and dogs, as much time as they will let me. I need to feel and see and taste the salt of the ocean as much as I can. I must immerse myself in the words of stories, getting lost into new worlds. I need to laugh and cry and be with my friends. Each of these things, all of these things are my oxygen, and they save me time and time again.
What saves you?