How to Stay Sane When Traveling With Kids
Anyone
who has traveled with kids knows it's no easy task. It doesn't matter if it's
on a road trip or a plane. At least on a road trip, you can stop at rest areas
and restaurants to stretch your legs or for a change of scenery. In an airplane,
you're stuck.
No
doubt most of us have been on a flight with screaming babies or toddlers who kick
the backs of our seats. What's worse is the parent not doing much to stop the
little bugger.
Lack
of preparation by the parent is usually the culprit in those situations. Not only
does it end up a nightmare for the parent, but it also becomes very stressful
for the child. Passengers seated near the screaming child might start shooting
dirty looks at the parent, who puts more pressure on the child to behave. This
can easily be avoided with the right pre-flight preparation, which will make for
a much more pleasant flight.
Here
are a few tips to help make your flight with children a smooth one.
•
Consider the length of the flight. Most toddlers have a difficult time sitting
still for long. Make sure you bring his/her favorite toys, blanket, games, books,
and snacks. Other than a pair of cheap little plastic wings sometimes given out
by flight attendants, there is nothing on a plane that will entertain your child,
so come prepared.
•
Kids are fidgety and need to move. If your child is of walking age, it's fine
to escort him up and down the aisle to stretch his little legs. Don't feel as
if you have to keep your child in your lap or the seat for the entire flight.
If your child is under six years old, you should always accompany walks around
the plane or to the restroom. Your child may give a greeting to every person he
sees, which most passengers prefer over a screaming kid. There are also porthole
windows at the exits that entertain kids with a view of the world. They're never
too young to start learning geography. Explain where you are and where you're
going.
• A sure way to instigate a problem on the aircraft is allowing your child to kick
the back of the chair in front of him or bang on the tray table. This will surely
inspire a head spin from the passenger in front of you.
• Airplane food is unsavory, plain and simple. And because of budget cuts most flights
no longer serve meals on flights that are less than four hours long. So be sure
to check beforehand and/or bring your child's favorite meals in a plastic container
or baggie. It's wise to also bring plenty of his favorite fruits and snacks.
• Kids tire and bore very easily. If you're a parent, this is not news to you. That
said, they bore quickly of their own toys too. Bring a few new toys they haven't
seen yet. Leave them unopened. Opening new toys can be entertaining for kids.
Crayons and coloring books do wonders. Feeding his sponge-like curiosity will
quell his need to fidget, at least for a while.
• If you
have children, you know that cabin pressure, especially on take off and landing
will affect your child's ears, which is why so many cry after take off. Have a
bottle or a pacifier ready. The sucking motion may help unblock their ears.
• Try to schedule your flight before your child's naptime or bedtime so that he
can stay on his schedule and sleep on the plane.
• The length of flight is key. Make sure you bring enough provisions and distractions
for the duration of the flight. Otherwise, you may hear someone yelling at you
to 'shut your kid up or we'll throw you off the plane.' And if they're not saying
it, they're probably thinking it. Have a safe and stress-free flight.
