Tips for Airline Travel with Kids (especially of the toddler variety)
My husband is temporarily living and working in London, so he wasn't able to travel with us to New York on Saturday (he will fly in and meet us here on Wednesday, just in time for Thanksgiving). So, as I've found myself doing way too many times before, I traveled on the plane, by myself, with both kids.
It was actually OK, though. I've kind of mastered it. It's not FUN, but it's do-able. Here, then, are my tips for a successful trip:
1. The security process sucks. There is nothing you can do to avoid it, but some of my tips should help. That said, it's a good idea to warn your kids that the security process sucks and that you'll be a much happier mommy on the other side. Here's what I usually say: "Ok, this is the really hard part. I'm going to be very cranky and very grumpy. Try not to talk too much. Listen to everything I say. Don't ask questions. Let's just get through the x-ray machine, and then we can get candy or gum."
2. Which leads me to #2: when traveling, kids can have as much candy as they want. The chewier, the better. Chewy things last longer. Gummy bears, jelly beans, gum drops. These are all great. Lollipops are also key.
3. Bring a ton of baby wipes. These serve two purposes. First, I find that Max ends up pooping or vomiting every time we fly. Sometimes he treats me to both. Second, they are absolutely vital for cleaning up sticky hands and faces.
4. Check as much as you can. Waiting at Baggage Claim is so much easier than struggling through the security line, so pare down as much as possible. I check my laptop so that I don't need to remove it from my bag. I also check all toiletries. We bring my purse and one bag for the kids.
5. I always forget to do this, but extra clothes are a good idea. It's probably smart to bring an extra shirt for yourself as well. Usually, when Max pukes, it's all over me, and I never have an extra set of clothes.
6. Get one of these. It is worth 3x that, believe me. There is no way that Max would stay in a regular airplane seat, so this contraption allows me to keep him safely strapped into his car seat. It's also an easy way to transport the seat without worrying about getting damaged in the baggage hold.
7. Choose an airline that offers free entertainment. I love Jet Blue. Each seat gets DirecTV. Max doesn't quite have the attention span to care, but Dylan is occupied by cartoons for the whole ride, so at least I'm only entertaining one kid. (Jet Blue also has free snacks - bonus!)
8. Accept help if you need it. No hesitations! Sometimes I'm carrying a ton of stuff, but I have it all perfectly balanced, and truly, if anyone tried to help, my balance would be off-kilter and I'd be worse off. When I'm offered assistance in those situations, I politely refuse. However, sometimes I could really use a helping hand, and I've learned to not be stubborn and to take it.
Cross posted at Foodmomiac.
