Okay, we’ve got room for Drew and Paige and her balls in the luggage. I guess we’ll just bring Cole as our carry-on item.
I’ve been telling Tobie we were going to take our first family trip to San Diego all summer. I’m not sure how it happened, but me having a business meeting in Chicago turned into a 9 day trip to Chicago and New York, serving as our first family trip. You know, the past few years we’ve been on a roller coaster and have seen things that would cause you not to sleep for weeks, but getting ready for our first family trip is scaring us sh$tless. How much stuff should we bring? What should we bring on the plane? Are the kids going to freak out in the airport? Are the kids going to be okay on the plane? What if the rental car agencies do not have any more car seats for rent? What if the kids want to sit in the emergency row? What if one of the kids in the no-fly list? You know, your basic set of worries!
The kids are totally at ease at home. How are they going to react outside of their element for 9 days? Today we went to the park for the first time all summer. There was a landscaper there with his gas powered weed whacker. Paige was physically disturbed and totally freaked out from the noise and the guy was no closer than 30 feet away. We had to go home. How is she going to react when we are trapped in a plane when it takes off? I already feel sorry for everyone flying with us. I wonder if Southwest Airlines are going to give us gift certificates to never fly with them again? Do airlines do that?
Not too long ago in our near past, our kids were great out in public. They had great manners and never made a scene. We use to get tons of compliments on how well behaved all 3 were in public. Apparently we lost them at some restaurant and they have been replaced by “typical” kids who throw things on the floor, who won’t stay in their seats, who whine and scream. I can feel the looks by other patrons at the bar (why did they bring their kids to a micro brew –it’s because daddy needs a beer, duh).
Based on some recommendations from other parents, Tobie called the peed’s office to ask if they prescribed medication to help with flying. Tobie got a lecture and was told to bring a book. You know what pisses me off? When medical professionals tell you how to parent instead of just doing their job and sticking to medicine. Bring a book. Unreal.
Circling back around, this trip is going to be absolutely nuts, but great at the same time. Tobie and I will need a vacation for sure after this trip. We bought a bunch of new toys and books to bring on the plane, but considering the kids have the attention span of a gnat, i think we’re screwed. Oh, did i mention we booked our trip to NY from Chicago at 6 AM? Yeah, we’re screwed.
List any travelling with toddlers advice in the comments below.
Related Posts:Posted in: babies, vacation
If you have a portable DVD player that has always worked well for us on the planes. Another cool thing was bringing ‘new’ small toys/activities, for them to do on the plane… Good luck and we hope you have an amazing time!!
One word….Benadryl!
We flew to Spain when our children were very young & our dr recommended Benedryl to be given when we checked into the airport. We also used food…crackers, cookies, fruit snacks, suckers, juice anything we could think of they would put in their mouth to keep them quiet. Books were a good distraction (one of our favorites was a Little People farm book with flaps). The personal dvd player/laptop computer would be a good idea too. Good luck!!!
ear plugs, sleeping masks, and vodka — lots of it
Benadryl was going to be my suggestion. And cocktails for momma and poppa. Have a wonderful trip!!!!
I suggest ear plugs for Paige. Get them now and take her out where it’s noisy and let her wear them so she’s used to them. I would also say take Benadryl and a soothy, such as their favorite blanket or pillow.
make sure you try the benadryl FIRST before you go…like tonight before you head out.
some kids have an adverse effect with benadryl.
have a gret trip…..
give the kids a kiss from me
For the 6am flight, leave them in their jammies or dress them before bed the night before, in the clothes they will wear on the plane. That way you can just pick them up and take them with, maybe they will sleep a bit more for you. Good luck!
I highly recommend bringing carseats with you and using them on the plane. One of my boys has sensory issues and I was really concerned about his first fight at 18 months old, but I think it really helped having him in his carseat. At least that was something familiar to him. As my kids got a little older, it was still awesome to have the carseats because they knew that they had to stay in them.
I apologize if you already mentioned where you are staying, but a hotel with a separate bedroom is also invaluable. Laying in bed at 8pm and pretending that you are asleep so that the kids lay down and go to sleep really sucks.
I hope you enjoy Chicago! We live in Chicago if you need any tips on things to do.
Good luck!!
I have 2 of these - http://www.kidsflysafe.com/ - for you to use on your trip back, if you don’t bring car seats with you…not that it will help with their potential anxiety or attention on the plane - just safety.
be weary of benadryl and preemies.
As for Car sets bringing your own is about the only way to go. Our 2 y/o’s were TOTALLY freaked out the first time we flew, we had brought our car seats, but had stowed them in a bin in the front of the plane, about 1/2 way thru the attendant told me many kids are comforted by their “own personal seat” and sure enough they were, little devils passed right out and did not wake for 3 hours.
We also pack a back pack of our favorite snacks, and a back pack of clothes. With three kids we had the 2 back packs and the diaper back as each for the kids carry ons, and then a “normal carry on for me” and my mom carried one of toys. We also went and picked out 4 new little toys each a few days before the trip, and they were put int he back pack as something new for the plane. {that was an odd flight, and it was actually announced that R/C cars were not permited on the flight [i thought to myself "Really parents would let kids pack them!"]}
Also things like lollipops are good for take off and landing. P did not like them, but he did love chewing on a big piece of roll and his sippy cup. {pack extra cups, you will need them on most planes} The baby nursed, and H loved the lollies.
I also tend to try and dress the kids in “comfort clothes”, pj’s or some sweat pant-ish things. The planes are often colder then one would think, and that way they are comfy. We have been known to change the kids in the airport, and then go get our bags [honestly most of the time we change them, and our bags are still not ready when we got there.
We have a flight this month 22 kids 9 adults, can't wait! [just kidding]
Benadryl doesn’t work for my kids on planes. They get even more jacked up. My son had major sensory issues and I thought he would freak out when the plane took off but surprisingly, he was okay with it. The dvd player was the favorite distraction, even though I packed numerous toys, games, snacks. Don’t forget earphones!
We used to fly overseas with our daughter starting when she was 3.5. I didn’t have the Benadryl trick but I did alway give her children’s Tylenol to take before we took off. It helped with cabin pressure and earaches. The one time we didn’t do it she screamed all the way down the Atlantic seaboard to Orlando. Also always had tape players and head sets so she could listen to music or kids stories on tape. standard coloring book stuff wish they had portable DVD players back then. With 2 6 hr flights and a 4 hr layover in between. Ugh. They may surprise you and do just great. Start talking to them about it and let them know what to expect so it isn’t a big surprise for them.
Good Luck and have fun!
P.S. try not to show fear remember they can read your deer in the headlights look
I don’t know about keeping them entertained during the flight, but during landing sucking lollies aplenty are the most important thing… For some reason kids seem to suffer more than adults from the change in air pressure but if they’re sucking on something, anything, it’s all rosy.
Anonymous mentioned ear plugs for Paige above… maybe you could experiment with music too? They usually have a kids radio station on the flight, or you could bring along an ipod or portable cd player.
Good luck, guys… I hope you have a safe and happy flight!
I also think you should for sure bring your own car seats. It will help them feel like something is “normal” and you can strap them in it for most of the time. Otherwise they are going to run around like wild monkeys.
I have flown so many times with my now 4 and a half year old, and I think just about everything has been covered. We even made a 10 hour flight to Japan last year. Benadryl is good to have on hand, but may not be necessary. They make it strips now, so you don’t have to worry about the liquid issue. Make sure you buy water or juice once you get past security, as it often takes a long time for the beverage carts to make their way through the plane.
Been there done that on 4.5 to 5 hour flights (with two not three). Our Ped suggested with L that we mix a little vino with her juice … I guess that is the advice she gives to the Italian families! If you are going to use Benadryl - do a trial run, L tended to get a little hyper on it. DVD player is the biggest saviour in our family - I would invest in some new Thomas videos for the trip - new stuff is always good. Just remember all those screaming kids you have listened to in the past and say screw it - you can only control so much! Have fun and good luck - starting early is good - L loves planes now and can’t wait to go to Philly next month! I am totally with you on why you bring your kids to a microbrew!
One last thing - I completely agree with the car seat advice - bring your own! We always do and have never regretted it.
The peeds office recommend against giving benadryl because it can have the opposite effect and make some kids more hyper, plus the worst case scenerio, an allegic reaction 10000 feet in the air.
I gave Benedryl to my kids to ease the issues with cabin pressure, not to put them to sleep. If your peed office recommended against it though, I’d go with them. I’d try the lollipops or gum if you let them chew gum then. Good luck!!!
Good Luck today!
I’m glad to see your comment above, Eric, I was going to say that if you are going to try the Benadryl trick, to try it at home first to make sure it won’t make P&C hyperactive. With my son, I gave him some Motrin about 30 minutes before take-off and gave him a cup that I knew he would have to suck very hard on to get anything out (He was almost 4). It really helped with his ears, and the pressure, and we had no issues. I also brought his carseat with me. Since he was 3, he couldn’t lap-sit anyway, and had his own seat. He was comfortable, and at ease, and thanks to the Motrin, pain free. Also, we got these http://www.drugstore.com/qxp12444_333181_sespider/earplanes/childrens_ear_plugs_disposable.htm hope that helps! Chicago is a great place to visit, just not sure I’d want to be running all over the city with my little ones…being from here I typically avoid the city…but Brookfield zoo is nice, and Great America (In Gurnee) has a GREAT kids area! :o)
“Starburst” candies worked well for my son instead of gum on the way up and down. He has also slept for a portion of every flight he’s ever been on (5 months, 3 1/2, and 5 1/2) - hope yours do that too. Also - as mentioned above - DVD PLAYER!!!! Lots of snacks, but check with your airline about liquids - new “safety” regulations and all!!!
Role playing/pretend play with the kids about being on the plane and in the airport. Headphones and getting Paige used to them now. Trips to the airport to see the planes up close. Just a few suggestions.
I’m with Paul K
Good Luck! We took Lane to Chicago and it was not fun. I was in the back holding him the entire fight. The person in front was getting mad because we keep pushing the seat. It was a mess. Bring a nanny to seat coach with the kids while you and Tobie sit first class:)