Even though life in Ellie-Town is always perfect {sarcasm} we need to escape every now and then. This last trip to Arizona was Ellie's 9th round trip flight in a little over 3 years, Madeline's 2nd in her 9 months.
In case you are taking a vacation of your own this summer, here are a few of our do's and don'ts for airline travel...
Do Keep Your Cool. You've been on the airplane for 3 hours and the pilot says there's bad weather ahead so you'll be circling indefinitely and he *thinks* you'll have enough fuel and the holding pattern you're in is full of turbulence and you think you might use the barf bag for the first time in your life? Take a deep breath. Oommmmmmm. It will be ok. You will land....eventually. Smile at the kids and say, "Wow! This is just like being on a roller coaster, isn't it?!"
As a sub header of this, expect the unexpected in the security lines. Nothing is consistent. The airport you leave from might be fine with the factory wrapped bottle of children's allergy medication and then on the way home they will have you unwrap it so it can be tested. Or you can fly there with juice boxes but must open each one {which defeats the entire purpose I might add!} on the way home. As crazy and annoying as it is at the time, they are just trying to keep us safe. At least that's what I tell myself so I don't get carted to off to prison before I even get to board the plane. ;)
Don't Take the 6 am Flight. Even if it's cheaper. Nothing is worth getting up at 3:45 am and dragging the kids out of bed. Because if they are like my kids, they will be awake the entire flight and not fall asleep until they are in the car 6-8 hours later. Then they'll sleep the car ride home from the airport and be awake the rest of the day. I'm telling you, not worth it!
Do Bring a Change of Clothes. For everyone and then hopefully you won't need them. If you don't bring a change of clothes I can almost guarantee you there will be pee/poop/puke/food all over the traveling parties and you'll curse the moment you decided not to pack the back up outfits.
Don't Over Pack. My dad's traveling philosophy has always been "Buy it when you get there." Now that I'm a parent myself I couldn't agree more. Airlines are charging for checked bags and you pay a premium if your suitcase is over 50 pounds. Pack you clothes and what you need for the day of traveling {and a little extra - with flight delays, etc. you never know when your travel day could be extended} and pick up the rest when you land. Unless you are going on safari or to a deserted island, there's bound to be a Target at your destination where you can pick up diapers, wipes, snacks, and the other necessities.
This goes for carry-ons, too. On our last trip to Arizona we carried on the diaper bag and Ellie's Pottery Barn Kids preschool size backpack. I hit up the Dollar Spot at Target and bought every Hello Kitty thing they had and hid it in the closet until we boarded the plane. Between her new stickers, stamps, pens and looking out the window, she was entertained the entire flight. For Madeline I brought her lovie, favorite teethers and lots of back up pacifiers and we were good to go.
Do invest in a few travel gadgets to make life easier. Like the GoGo Kidz Travelmate. If you are not a frequent traveler see if you can go in on the purchase together with a few families in your neighborhood and share it. Anything that can free up a hand while traveling is well worth it!
Don't Turn Down Help. Let's get serious - traveling with kids can be a nightmare. Nightmare! So when someone offers help whether it's an offer from a stranger to put your luggage in the overhead bin or an offer for a ride to/from the airport from your 90 year old grandparents, resist the urge to say "oh that's ok, we're fine" and instead smile and say "that would be great, thank you!"
Do take advantage of having a child under two. Maybe if we were flying to China I would buy a baby a seat. But that's about the only time. Other than that it's lap child only for us. Also remember to bring the birth certificate with you. We've had to show it about half the time we fly.
Do you have any do's or don'ts to add to the list?
It sounds like a book needs to be written... I hope it was fun!!!
ReplyDeletenothing instantly raises my level of stress like travel with kids. reading this puts a knot in my stomach. no joke. and the time on an airplane feels ENDLESS, you are so right.
ReplyDeletevisiting you from SITS :)
ReplyDeletei thought car travel was stressful, but i'm thinking that if i ever, for some insanely crazy reason, have to take my kiddos on an airplane, i'm printing this post out and carrying around as a shield.
How come they've asked for a birth certificate?
ReplyDeleteBratchild is almost 9 and we don't let her play ds much unless we are on a long car trip or a plane-that and books keep her quiet the entire time.
For me? A kindle has been the most fabulous thing ever.
Ann, we had a great time. Remember this is what I've learned from 9 round trip flights. Not all of which were direct. So that's more than 18 take offs and landings. There's bound to be snags along the way but hopefully this will help future travelers!
ReplyDeleteAmyblam, the airlines can ask at any time for you to show the birth certificate when you are flying with a child under 2. I always bring both of theirs now just in case. I have friends who have never been asked to show it, but we have been required to show it probably 50% of the time.
A Kindle sounds like a great idea! Does it work with children's books, too? I would love to not have to carry every book Ellie *might* want to read at bedtime!
I should also add my kids are GREAT travelers. It's really just the logistics of all of it that sucks!
ReplyDeleteGood advice for anyone traveling with little ones. I am so guilty of the overpacking!
ReplyDeleteHappy SITS Saturday!
You sound very brave, lol!
ReplyDeleteAmiable fill someone in on and this enter helped me alot in my college assignement. Thanks you for your information.
ReplyDeleteAh travel with kids. I could totally relate to your post title - that is why I avise mums to always pack a change of clothes for themselves!
ReplyDeleteIt can be tough but with good prep, seeking out support at both ends and a general 'chin up' attitude, very doable - even worth the experience.
Great post and Happy SITS day!
Traveling with children is NEVER fun but I think that key is to be prepared... for anything.
ReplyDeleteYea, I'm not sure that "fun for the whole family" really exists. I wrote a post with traveling tips after I flew with my four-month-old and lived to tell about it. I have seven more tips for you and some fun accounts (no throw-up but a massive poopsplosion during descent being late for our connecting flight - good times...). You can check the post out at:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.mommycribnotes.com/2010/02/how-i-survived-flying-with-baby.html