Flying with kids can be stressful. Making sure you have everything you need to ensure a good vacation can be overwhelming. But, after a few times of doing travel with kids, you pretty much become a professional. Here are some tips on how to travel with kids like a pro.
Flying with Kids Under Two
-This is often THE most stressful type of travelling. Unless they can walk by themselves, odds are high they will need a stroller. And unless they are toilet trained, odds are also high that diapers will be among the items you are most worried about having. But, aside from those little minor instances, kids under two tend to be really excited about going somewhere they've never been. Nothing is more adorable than seeing that wide-eyed excitement of a child travelling to a new place
-Some airlines offer no cost to kids under two who fly because those kids can share a seat with Mom or Dad. While that certainly saves money, it also might happen that your child will need a seat of their own by the age of 2, in case they are big enough for their own seat. Depending on the length of the flight, you might find out quickly that buying a seat for your child will help your comfort and sanity
-If your child uses a car seat at home, bring that car seat with you. Make sure to check it in with the check-in desk of the airline you're flying through. Just make sure to strap your child in when everyone else is getting settled in. If they do well in a car seat, then they'll do just fine on the airplane. Just ignore the comments and dirty looks from the other passengers if you're supposedly holding up the line to address the needs of your little one(s) because people will say something or give you a look, like you're holding them up from sitting down (believe me, I've seen it on airplanes; people get ridiculous when boarding a plane because people are addressing their little ones needs)
-Introduce your kids to the flight crew, such as pilots, co-pilots, flight attendants. This makes them feel like they're part of the journey. Some kids even get wings as junior fliers
-If you're travelling with a baby, bring a baby carrier with you. Make a special checklist for baby when you are packing for vacation. This list should include everything that cute little baby will need for his/her first trip, such as toys, clothing, diapers, sunglasses, hats, sunblock, food, etc. You may not be able to wear the baby carrier during takeoff/landing, you can wear it in flight to keep the baby calm
-When booking your flight, let someone know you'll be travelling with an infant. There are many things to consider when travelling with babies and infants. Two of these things include where babies can sit on the plane or if the baby is sitting on your lap. Just make sure to express your wishes to travel with a baby to the airline check-in desk and boarding to ensure that little baby will have the time of their life
Booking Your Flight
-This is the part of the process where you get to choose what airline you're flying through and when you'll be flying out and if there are any layovers. Some airlines, like Southwest, have better family benefits than others. Choosing the right airline will guarantee maximum enjoyment for you and your family. Consider timing as well. Consider what time would be good to fly out. Early morning flights or evening flights are often the best because the child can sleep through the process of take off or landing. And even if they do wake up on the flight when everyone else is asleep, just let them know to be quiet to avoid waking others. These early morning or evening flights also help avoid departure delays. And take into consideration the possibility of layovers. While those might be cheaper than direct route flights, they can also add chaos into the mix and cut into travel time. Because, like you, your kids are excited about vacation because it's new and exotic to them and they want to get to the destination just as fast as you do
-Before you book your flight, call the airline ahead of time to inquire about being booked together as a family. Airlines are not legally required to put everyone together as a family. And if they can, that is good. If they are unable to put everyone together as a family, they will ensure that the family is not totally separated, just in seats near each other.
-If you're flying internationally, everyone needs a passport, including babies. Make sure that your passport is valid beyond the travel dates just to make sure you don't run into issues with foreign airport security. If you're travelling with someone who is not your son or daughter, such as a niece, nephew, grandchild, get a child travel consent form completed and signed by that family member who the child belongs to and take with you on the trip at all times so that if airport security asks you who that is, you can hand them the form and they'll know you're travelling with someone who is not your child and that you have permission to do so.
-Consider a TSA pre-check. This often eases the stress of long lines with one or more parents travelling in large groups. It helps ease the security process. If international travel is what you're doing, Global Entry is the ticket for you. It's good for five years and includes a TSA precheck.
At the Airport
-Now that you're at the airport, those kids are going to be just as excited as you. Everything around them is new and foreign to them and they want to explore everything. Nothing is cuter than that. Do a practice run of checking in to waiting at the gate, so your kids have an idea of what to expect. If your kids are the type to have a lot of energy, try to find activities to wear them down before the airplane starts boarding. So they'll be tired when they get on.
-Some airports have small entertainment areas, such as mini museums, kids activity centers, movie theaters and more. Do a few laps around the airport to wear down your kids energy.
Boarding the Plane
-The best part of the trip. Kids look forward to this as much as their parents do. Boarding early might work for some people, but resist the temptation to do so. More time on the plane means kids get antsy and want to start moving around, which might hamper other passengers from boarding. Some airlines allow those with small children to board first, since it takes some time.
-If you're bringing a stroller, bring a lightweight one that folds like an umbrella. These might look like the cheapest grade stroller, but airlines love these because there's not much weight to it and they're safe for flying and also light on weight for you. Check the stroller at the gate before boarding for no additional fees. Let the gate agent know you're bringing a stroller and they'll tag it for you. You can simply pick it up with your luggage at baggage claim with all the other luggage
On the Plane
-If you have children who are not yet fully toilet-trained, bring overnight diapers in your carry-on. Bring a pack of sanitizing wipes as well and wipe down every surface your child might touch, including the flip down tray. Since the temperatures in the plane can either be Arctic or stifling, dress for the temperatures. Wear comfortable clothes and dress in layers. If you're bringing a baby, bring a blanket to cover the baby and will also help block out light during nap time. Wear comfortable shoes on the plane so your feet aren't hurting the whole time.
-Bring a mask for everyone and insist they wear it on the plane except when eating or drinking. Because not everyone has the same level of consideration for others by openly coughing / sneezing without covering their mouths, there's a high chance you can catch a cold on the airplane, and it's not due to the cold air. An airplane is like a giant metal tube and those germs will float in the air, landing on anyone, potentially rendering them ill later on. To prevent you or your family from catching a virus from some inconsiderate doofus on the airplane who doesn't want to cover their mouth when sneezing or coughing, bring masks and insist everyone in your party wear one. This is post COVID-19 we're talking about. We'll never be rid of COVID-19; it's here forever. Make sure you protect you and your family by wearing a mask. So that you all won't get sick. And if you or your family do get sick with a cold later on, take a lot of Airborne or other immune-support gummies daily in addition to cold / flu medicine. Take at least 5-6 of those gummies or immune support supplements daily; it will help boost your immune system and, thus, get you better faster. And if you have a sore throat and believe in sweating out a cold, drink hot tea with honey in it. The honey will soothe your throat and the hot tea will soothe it as well.
-Make the flight extra special by allowing exceptions to the rules you normally follow at home. Find a rule you have at home and break it on vacation, provided the kids are behaving themselves. If they don't get snacks too often on the plane, break out some snacks for the little ones. It'll not only reward them for being good, it'll also fill them up and give them another reminder of a fun vacation to be. Break out the iPad or tablet loaded with kid-friendly material and make sure you have travel headphones.
-Bring snacks for the little ones and chew gum to avoid ear popping during takeoff / landing. With babies, there's nothing you can do about the ear popping. And they know it too. That's why babies cry; their ears are popping and they can't do anything about it. The best thing you can do is comfort the little ones until the pressure equalizes inside the airplane. After that, the cute little babies will be good to go. Make each item you have a surprise. Alternate between snacks and toys for the kids throughout the flight. Water coloring books and sticker books always work well because they're not messy.
Exiting the Plane
-This is what I jokingly call "the stampede". Everyone wants to get off the plane ASAP to start their vacation. But, you can't just go running off the plane; everyone wants to do that. Make sure to look everywhere so that you don't forget anything. If you're not in a particular rush, ask if it's okay to tour the cockpit, where the pilots sit and ask for a family photo. Just wait for everyone else to exit the plane and ask for permission from one of the flight attendants or pilots.
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