Comments on: Traveling with Small Kids: Let the Insanity Begin! http://workitmom.com/bloggers/36hourday/2008/02/25/traveling-with-small-kids-let-the-insanity-begin/ Wed, 19 Nov 2008 04:05:40 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 By: Lylah http://workitmom.com/bloggers/36hourday/2008/02/25/traveling-with-small-kids-let-the-insanity-begin/#comment-278 Lylah Mon, 03 Mar 2008 05:13:04 +0000 http://workitmom.com/bloggers/36hourday/2008/02/25/traveling-with-small-kids-let-the-insanity-begin/#comment-278 AmyE: You're so right! LisaN: We do that, too -- much easier for them to run full-tilt in the wide-open concourse than in the narrow aisle! AmyE: You’re so right!

LisaN: We do that, too — much easier for them to run full-tilt in the wide-open concourse than in the narrow aisle!

]]> By: LisaN http://workitmom.com/bloggers/36hourday/2008/02/25/traveling-with-small-kids-let-the-insanity-begin/#comment-276 LisaN Sun, 02 Mar 2008 00:30:59 +0000 http://workitmom.com/bloggers/36hourday/2008/02/25/traveling-with-small-kids-let-the-insanity-begin/#comment-276 What a great article. My kids are older now, but they've all traveled as babies, on flights of 21 hours or more. One rule of thumb I always had was to turn down the generous offer of the airlines to board first. I wanted my kids to expel as much energy as possible before they boarded the plane. Besides waiting in the line to board, then waiting again belted in your seat was never a good idea. LisaN What a great article. My kids are older now, but they’ve all traveled as babies, on flights of 21 hours or more.

One rule of thumb I always had was to turn down the generous offer of the airlines to board first. I wanted my kids to expel as much energy as possible before they boarded the plane. Besides waiting in the line to board, then waiting again belted in your seat was never a good idea.

LisaN

]]> By: AmyE http://workitmom.com/bloggers/36hourday/2008/02/25/traveling-with-small-kids-let-the-insanity-begin/#comment-274 AmyE Fri, 29 Feb 2008 00:42:51 +0000 http://workitmom.com/bloggers/36hourday/2008/02/25/traveling-with-small-kids-let-the-insanity-begin/#comment-274 Don't stress about other people on the plane. That's too much worry for one person. Everybody has to travel near a bratty kid at some point. And some people will think a kid is bratty even if they sleep the whole way. There are a lot of people around you flying alone who have traveled with babies before and they probably sympathize with you even though they don't say anything. Revel in the fact that you are still traveling with kids. Too many people give up the fun things in life when they have kids. How can you teach them about what you think is fun if you stop doing it when they are born. My parents moved to Saudi Arabia when I was 5, my sister was 4 and my brother was 18 months old, so I may have a different perspective on travel. Remember to have fun and enjoy how your kids are experiencing it. And crappy flights always make for great stories later. AmyE Mom to 3 (All three flew before 4 months) www.sofiabean.com Don’t stress about other people on the plane. That’s too much worry for one person. Everybody has to travel near a bratty kid at some point. And some people will think a kid is bratty even if they sleep the whole way. There are a lot of people around you flying alone who have traveled with babies before and they probably sympathize with you even though they don’t say anything.

Revel in the fact that you are still traveling with kids. Too many people give up the fun things in life when they have kids. How can you teach them about what you think is fun if you stop doing it when they are born.

My parents moved to Saudi Arabia when I was 5, my sister was 4 and my brother was 18 months old, so I may have a different perspective on travel.

Remember to have fun and enjoy how your kids are experiencing it. And crappy flights always make for great stories later.

AmyE
Mom to 3 (All three flew before 4 months)
http://www.sofiabean.com

]]> By: Lylah http://workitmom.com/bloggers/36hourday/2008/02/25/traveling-with-small-kids-let-the-insanity-begin/#comment-273 Lylah Thu, 28 Feb 2008 19:23:41 +0000 http://workitmom.com/bloggers/36hourday/2008/02/25/traveling-with-small-kids-let-the-insanity-begin/#comment-273 Here's the rest of Leian's comment, as rescued from the overzealous spam filter: <em>Other tips I would add: try to get on a first flight out in the AM; the kids will be wide awake but there’s less chance of a delay if logjams haven’t already started. Of course, if you’re picking a vacation, go for the direct flight (as opposed to our trip to St. John when my son was 7 weeks, which required 2 planes and a boat, ha ha). Bring new toys - and I mean something they’ve never had, not just a new coloring book if they have 12 coloring books. (This more applies to older tots and pre-K kids.) My final advice? Try your best to keep your kids entertained and remember that other passengers are not your kids’ babysitters. People have often remarked to me that they were amazed at how quiet my kids were. Teach them how to be good travelers - it’s never too early to start teaching them that running amok, kicking the backs of chairs and yelling is not good manners. Having said that, though, if your child is experiencing true pain or tiredness and is crying - as did happen to us on one flight where my daughter’s ears were giving her hell - don’t let the dirty looks upset you. I reminded the person who looked askance at us that our daughter was in PAIN, not misbehaving, and that since we were descending anyhow, she could cut the dirty looks short since it would all soon be over. (Sometimes people need to be reminded that kids are humans…)</em> Here’s the rest of Leian’s comment, as rescued from the overzealous spam filter:

Other tips I would add: try to get on a first flight out in the AM; the kids will be wide awake but there’s less chance of a delay if logjams haven’t already started. Of course, if you’re picking a vacation, go for the direct flight (as opposed to our trip to St. John when my son was 7 weeks, which required 2 planes and a boat, ha ha).

Bring new toys - and I mean something they’ve never had, not just a new coloring book if they have 12 coloring books. (This more applies to older tots and pre-K kids.)

My final advice? Try your best to keep your kids entertained and remember that other passengers are not your kids’ babysitters. People have often remarked to me that they were amazed at how quiet my kids were. Teach them how to be good travelers - it’s never too early to start teaching them that running amok, kicking the backs of chairs and yelling is not good manners.

Having said that, though, if your child is experiencing true pain or tiredness and is crying - as did happen to us on one flight where my daughter’s ears were giving her hell - don’t let the dirty looks upset you. I reminded the person who looked askance at us that our daughter was in PAIN, not misbehaving, and that since we were descending anyhow, she could cut the dirty looks short since it would all soon be over. (Sometimes people need to be reminded that kids are humans…)

]]> By: Lylah http://workitmom.com/bloggers/36hourday/2008/02/25/traveling-with-small-kids-let-the-insanity-begin/#comment-272 Lylah Thu, 28 Feb 2008 19:23:11 +0000 http://workitmom.com/bloggers/36hourday/2008/02/25/traveling-with-small-kids-let-the-insanity-begin/#comment-272 These are some FANTASTIC tips -- thanks, everyone! Diane: Like I said, if I didn't already know my kids react to it with energy, I totally would have tried the benedryl thing this trip! Mandy: Excellent point about the extra outfit for me. I think I've been pressing my luck on that for a while now. Relaxnsmile: Your baby rocks! We're proud of her, too! Leian: I'm so sorry, part of your original comment got caught in my spam filter. I'll fish it out and post it as an additional comment -- such great advice, thank you! Spacegeek: The Sit 'n' Stroll has been awesome -- it's a bit bulky, but my very tall 3-year-old can still use it as a stroller (she's the size of a 5-year-old) and it works as both a front- and a back-facing car seat, and is surprisingly sturdy and incredibly easy to steer, even one-handed. Clay: Half a bottle of scotch? You've got a stronger liver than I! :) Julie: For shorter distances (like the 5-hour drive to my parents' house), the van is great. Wish I had a portable DVD player when I was a kid -- it would have made those long station-wagon trips to Cananda MUCH more pleasant! Someday, we'll try to long drive, and I will definitely refer to your tips! These are some FANTASTIC tips — thanks, everyone!

Diane: Like I said, if I didn’t already know my kids react to it with energy, I totally would have tried the benedryl thing this trip!

Mandy: Excellent point about the extra outfit for me. I think I’ve been pressing my luck on that for a while now.

Relaxnsmile: Your baby rocks! We’re proud of her, too!

Leian: I’m so sorry, part of your original comment got caught in my spam filter. I’ll fish it out and post it as an additional comment — such great advice, thank you!

Spacegeek: The Sit ‘n’ Stroll has been awesome — it’s a bit bulky, but my very tall 3-year-old can still use it as a stroller (she’s the size of a 5-year-old) and it works as both a front- and a back-facing car seat, and is surprisingly sturdy and incredibly easy to steer, even one-handed.

Clay: Half a bottle of scotch? You’ve got a stronger liver than I! :)

Julie: For shorter distances (like the 5-hour drive to my parents’ house), the van is great. Wish I had a portable DVD player when I was a kid — it would have made those long station-wagon trips to Cananda MUCH more pleasant! Someday, we’ll try to long drive, and I will definitely refer to your tips!

]]> By: Julie http://workitmom.com/bloggers/36hourday/2008/02/25/traveling-with-small-kids-let-the-insanity-begin/#comment-271 Julie Thu, 28 Feb 2008 19:08:06 +0000 http://workitmom.com/bloggers/36hourday/2008/02/25/traveling-with-small-kids-let-the-insanity-begin/#comment-271 This is a great article. Thanks so much for it! I have three children ages now 5, 4, and 2. I have yet to fly with them but we travel quite a bit with them in the van. We go home to visit (driving from NC to WI) every couple of months. My husband and I have gotten quite good at it. We do in fact leave at night. We put a movie on the portable DVD player and let them eat a snack. They usually are asleep an hour our so into our ride. The more we've done this trip the better it's gotten. The first few times were horrible, but as I said, you live and learn. The toys you suggest are also great for car rides, plenty of snacks are also a necessity - word to the wise however, do NOT under any circumstances allow your two year old to get into your husbands stash of good and plenty and then drink a soda - not fun to clean up when it comes back up! The hardest part for us is keeping the boys in their car seats the entire trip. IF they are awake, they want to be up. Lots of threats is all that seem to work as they are little mini houdinis! We drive straight through and have now implemented the three hour shift of driving rule. It works out quite well and we both get more sleep than we did driving as far as we could before switching. I recommend an ipod as well and books on tape are awesome for passing the time while driving. The funnier the better - Jon Stewart or David Sedaris books are my favorites. Happy traveling! This is a great article. Thanks so much for it! I have three children ages now 5, 4, and 2. I have yet to fly with them but we travel quite a bit with them in the van. We go home to visit (driving from NC to WI) every couple of months. My husband and I have gotten quite good at it. We do in fact leave at night. We put a movie on the portable DVD player and let them eat a snack. They usually are asleep an hour our so into our ride. The more we’ve done this trip the better it’s gotten. The first few times were horrible, but as I said, you live and learn. The toys you suggest are also great for car rides, plenty of snacks are also a necessity - word to the wise however, do NOT under any circumstances allow your two year old to get into your husbands stash of good and plenty and then drink a soda - not fun to clean up when it comes back up! The hardest part for us is keeping the boys in their car seats the entire trip. IF they are awake, they want to be up. Lots of threats is all that seem to work as they are little mini houdinis! We drive straight through and have now implemented the three hour shift of driving rule. It works out quite well and we both get more sleep than we did driving as far as we could before switching. I recommend an ipod as well and books on tape are awesome for passing the time while driving. The funnier the better - Jon Stewart or David Sedaris books are my favorites. Happy traveling!

]]> By: Clay http://workitmom.com/bloggers/36hourday/2008/02/25/traveling-with-small-kids-let-the-insanity-begin/#comment-268 Clay Wed, 27 Feb 2008 18:23:31 +0000 http://workitmom.com/bloggers/36hourday/2008/02/25/traveling-with-small-kids-let-the-insanity-begin/#comment-268 I know you're against the Benadryl for the kids, but I've always enjoyed downing a handful of Ambien with a half a bottle of scotch helpful. I also bring a lot of dried fruit in zip lock bags. I know you’re against the Benadryl for the kids, but I’ve always enjoyed downing a handful of Ambien with a half a bottle of scotch helpful. I also bring a lot of dried fruit in zip lock bags.

]]> By: spacegeek http://workitmom.com/bloggers/36hourday/2008/02/25/traveling-with-small-kids-let-the-insanity-begin/#comment-262 spacegeek Tue, 26 Feb 2008 04:19:31 +0000 http://workitmom.com/bloggers/36hourday/2008/02/25/traveling-with-small-kids-let-the-insanity-begin/#comment-262 We went away for Thanksgiving with our twin 16 month old girls. I brought enough food for lunch figuring we'd be off the plane and at my sister's well before dinner time! What was I thinking?! It took us twice as long as I'd planned for... Lots of snacks, lots of diapers, and buy the extra seats because holding a baby for 6 hrs just sucks. The Sit N Strolls sound great, because the car seats were the bane of our existance--horrible to travel with!!! We're going on another trip in June. I'm going to be seriously considering those carseat/stroller combos!!! We went away for Thanksgiving with our twin 16 month old girls. I brought enough food for lunch figuring we’d be off the plane and at my sister’s well before dinner time! What was I thinking?! It took us twice as long as I’d planned for…
Lots of snacks, lots of diapers, and buy the extra seats because holding a baby for 6 hrs just sucks.

The Sit N Strolls sound great, because the car seats were the bane of our existance–horrible to travel with!!!
We’re going on another trip in June. I’m going to be seriously considering those carseat/stroller combos!!!

]]> By: Leian http://workitmom.com/bloggers/36hourday/2008/02/25/traveling-with-small-kids-let-the-insanity-begin/#comment-261 Leian Tue, 26 Feb 2008 03:00:36 +0000 http://workitmom.com/bloggers/36hourday/2008/02/25/traveling-with-small-kids-let-the-insanity-begin/#comment-261 Amen Mandy to your tips! I blog about luxury travel with children at my own blog - I started my kids out early. My 4 year old got on her first plane at 3 months (she's been to 4 countries) and my 7-month old son got on a plane at 7 weeks. My tips: 1. If you don't have one already, invest in an iPod. They're much less cumbersome to carry around than a DVD player and you can get many kids cartoons on iTunes. (Not to mention you can carry all your favorite tunes with you...) 2. Travel on less crazy days of the week. We stopped the Saturday to Saturday trips because it got too frenzied. Now, we leave and return on Tuesdays or Wednesdays: less traffic, cheaper flights (sometimes) and my husband likes that it results in 2 shortened workweeks. 3. TSA and I have to disagree with you, Lylah, on the formula thing. You are allowed to bring formula on board for babies without any problems. I actually tried bringing powder aboard but the fact that I brought my own pre-bottled water was an issue; I hadn't wanted to rely on the plane's water since it is usually scorching hot (not so good if you need the bottle within an hour or so). TSA advised me that just bringing the bottled formula, readymade, would have been less of an issue. They did ultimately let me on, but the lesson was learned - less hassle with bottles ready to go. Formula - and bottled breast milk - is exempt from the 3 ounce rule. Happy travels! Amen Mandy to your tips!

I blog about luxury travel with children at my own blog - I started my kids out early. My 4 year old got on her first plane at 3 months (she’s been to 4 countries) and my 7-month old son got on a plane at 7 weeks.

My tips:

1. If you don’t have one already, invest in an iPod. They’re much less cumbersome to carry around than a DVD player and you can get many kids cartoons on iTunes. (Not to mention you can carry all your favorite tunes with you…)
2. Travel on less crazy days of the week. We stopped the Saturday to Saturday trips because it got too frenzied. Now, we leave and return on Tuesdays or Wednesdays: less traffic, cheaper flights (sometimes) and my husband likes that it results in 2 shortened workweeks.
3. TSA and I have to disagree with you, Lylah, on the formula thing. You are allowed to bring formula on board for babies without any problems. I actually tried bringing powder aboard but the fact that I brought my own pre-bottled water was an issue; I hadn’t wanted to rely on the plane’s water since it is usually scorching hot (not so good if you need the bottle within an hour or so). TSA advised me that just bringing the bottled formula, readymade, would have been less of an issue. They did ultimately let me on, but the lesson was learned - less hassle with bottles ready to go. Formula - and bottled breast milk - is exempt from the 3 ounce rule.

Happy travels!

]]> By: Relaxnsmile http://workitmom.com/bloggers/36hourday/2008/02/25/traveling-with-small-kids-let-the-insanity-begin/#comment-259 Relaxnsmile Tue, 26 Feb 2008 01:28:10 +0000 http://workitmom.com/bloggers/36hourday/2008/02/25/traveling-with-small-kids-let-the-insanity-begin/#comment-259 I just got back from two weeks of traveling that involved 7 flights with a 17 month old, whew. At security on the last leg home, she toddled over to the bin cart, got a bin, sat on the floor, removed her shoes and put them in the bin... I am the proudest flying Mom ever. The paint with water toys are AMAZING! I would also recommend a small metal tin and some magnets - you can buy sets but I think it would be easy to DIY, too. I just got back from two weeks of traveling that involved 7 flights with a 17 month old, whew.
At security on the last leg home, she toddled over to the bin cart, got a bin, sat on the floor, removed her shoes and put them in the bin… I am the proudest flying Mom ever.
The paint with water toys are AMAZING!
I would also recommend a small metal tin and some magnets - you can buy sets but I think it would be easy to DIY, too.

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