In a few weeks, I will be making a trip back to Idaho for Mason + Lorie's wedding and Ashlee + Trevor's wedding. I'm so excited but the flight over there will probably kill me.
On the way there, I will have Grant and Henry alone. I think I can manage Henry, but I need a game play to entertain/manage Grant (2 years old). Spencer will be with me on the way back home.
I need to know all the car, airplane, airport, and general travel tricks you guys have up your sleeves!
Specifically, have any of you use a car seat in an airplane for a toddler? Good or bad idea? (it will be two 2-3 hour flights).
I start sweating just talking about it!!!
3 years ago
13 comments:
Hi, Emily, it's me Tasha from Pocatello a LONG time ago! :) I ran across your blog- it's SO fun to read! We miss you guys. I stress like crazy at airports- and I have actually done the trip many times with Gabe & Ava alone- (why?) SCARY! I have taken a stroller (the small cheap ones)sometimes, but ended up carrying it vs. IT carrying the child, but I doubt you'd have that problem with Henry. I also bought two of those cute animal backpack 'leashes' from Target. My kids liked them b/c they could still be somewhat free, but I wouldn't lose them. Take fun snacks, and one small extra outfit rolled up for accidents! :) Oh, one more thing I was told to do, and it may be too preventative, but I gave my kids some kind of decongestant before getting on the plane, and then make sure they have a drink during lift-off. I think that's all my random ideas! Call next time you're in town and have some down time!! We'd love to catch up! And good luck! (You'll be fine. Really!)
I personally would NOT take a car seat. I have with Saki and it is way harder to carry unless you do the stroller that attaches to the car seat. Plus, if some flights are booked, you don't take it onto the plane anyway, you check it at the gate right before boarding. Anyway, I have only traveled with Saki, but I take the cheap little stroller and he is fine it it, and it is nice to have something to drape your purse and diaper bag over while you wait. It's also way light and easy to fold up and store.
Do you have a portable DVD player? Maybe you guys could go get a fun movie that Grant could pick out for the trip. Google your question...maybe you'd find some great results on entertaining toddlers on flights. YOU ARE BRAVE.
Hey! I have a lot of wisdom (ha ha) to impart on this topic, because I have flown alone with my kids probably... 25 times or more. Don't get me wrong, I do NOT enjoy it, but it is way better than riding in the car for 12 hours, and I remind myself of this frequently. You probably already know all of this, but here is all my advice...
Car seats can only be used on the plane if they have an aircraft approved seal on them, just FYI. Which neither of mine do, so I always act surprised that I can't take my seats on the plane, and then they check them for me for free. :-) Beats 50 bucks! Then I have them while I'm visiting.
Sometimes I take a double stroller, and check it at the gate. Depends how much luggage I'm hauling. Gate passes are AWESOME, when you have someone drop you off at your gate, and someone pick you up on the other end. These can be requested at the ticket counter. Make sure your kids are screaming really loud so the ticket lady knows you desperately need the help. ;-)
Sippy cups, to help with ears during take off, to make them pop. For sure. My portable DVD player is a MUST. Once we are up in the air, I pull out a movie, fruit snacks and color books and we are good to go. HOWEVER, I have no advice on traveling with a baby, because I've blocked that from my memory so I might someday have another. TOTALLY kidding! Sortof..
GOOD LUCK! You'll do GREAT!
Em you are cute. Your Grant is going to be a challenge--no surprise there!
Does Grant have a ticket? If he has a seat guaranteed then I think a car seat would be a life saver. Especially if he sits in it well in the car. I could hook mine on the back of the stroller (actually the one you have!) and so it wasn't really a big deal to carry it through the airport. Then he can't kick the seat in front, hit the guy next to you, break away and run down the aisle screaming just as the beverage cart comes rolling down the aisle. Oh yes, I speak from experience.
Hold off on giving any kind of food or drink in the airport as tempting as it may be. Save your "big guns" for the plane. Take double what you think you will need because it stinks to run out of entertainment before take-off.
And never, I repeat never, be the first to board the plane (Juli's with me here) even when they say those with small children and the elderly can board. That can seriously add a good 45 minutes- hour to the waiting time. Not a good thing. And of course, remember it's only 3 hours max and then we will be here to help you!
Sorry about the humidity. We have a nice cool room waiting for you!
From your last experience flying it sounded as if the biggest challenge was getting through the airports. A double stoller or front back and stoller would contain both boys and make getting through the airport not quit the challenge.
Wow - you have a lot of people who love you and who have helpful comments. This is Lorie's mom - hope you don't mind my addition. I am so excited to meet you! Car seats are wonderful on the plane, especially if it's one that goes from your stroller to the seat. If they don't have a seat for Henry and you have to hold him, that's more of a challenge (and they'll take the car seat at the gate and put it under the plane - then it will be right outside the door when you get off the plane if you want). I would pack toys that they have NEVER seen before- especially for Grant. Bring lots of food they like. We have friends that give their kids Benadryl to make them sleepy, but for some kids it makes them hyper -that wouldn't be good - ha! We would give gum to the kids who could chew it (keeps their ears from hurting)and something to suck on for the little ones while you're taking off and landing. Our prayers will be with you and I thank you in advance for making this happen!!!! See you soon!
Hi Emily, It was good seeing you the last time you were out this way. If you guys are out here and ever get a free moment let us know. I would recommend bringing your car seats especially if you are renting a car. You'll need them for that above all else. Hope you guys are doing good and we'll see ya later. Cameron
ambrose has taken a billion flights- LONG ones and I believe it is every mothers sacred right to administer a healthy dosage of benedryl beofr ehte flight. this is not only to knock them out, but it is good for their sweet littel ears. ask a doctor- you can nurse henry into a oblivion, but grant will need some help with his ears and benedryl keeps all that monkey business at bay. good luck!~
Hey Emily. I would NOT do the car seat for Grant...it is just more of a pain to carry anyways...worrying about two kids is enough anyways. I heard the toddler car seats don't fit in the seat very well anyways. AND if the plane crashes....will a car seat really help? Even if it is approved? I definately recommend a portable DVD player and a favorite movie for Grant. Taylee thinks she is so special when she pulls out 'her little tv' and puts it on the pull down table in front of her. It's definately WORTH IT! Good luck!
Hey Emily! Its Vanessa. I just wanted you to know (hopefully it will give you some comfort) that I just did a 15 hour plane ride with Liam (4) and Jonas (2) all by myself and live to tell about it! My trick was food. Whenever they started to get noisy or anything I just pulled out a new fun food - like bug shaped crackers, goldfish, mini chocolate chip cookies (they have tons of different 100 calorie pack snacks). Anything they really like or haven't had before. I also had a small stash of new dollar store toys that I could pull out in case of an emergency. If they kept them busy for 10 minutes I considered that money well spent! I'm not sure what to tell you about Henry...pray he sleeps the whole way!!
nyquil.
Emily, I have a lot of experience flying with toddlers. I feel your pain. I took 3 tots all the way from Nova Scotia to Twin Falls once. That's 9 hours in the air, plus a 5 hour lay over.
The car seat. Hmmmm. Does Grant love his car seat? Does he sleep in it? And does your air line charge extra for you to put it in the baggage compartment? (seriously, they just started charging $25 extra last month!) in shich case, I would take it with you. The other great thing about having a car seat is that if there is an empty seat near you, you can put your baby in the car seat and have a moment of freedom from the lap child. Then again, you'll have to haul it all over the air port. I used to balance it on top of the stroller canopy.
Is there a meal? Ask for the children's plate. It's often entertaining. Food is my best defence against cranky, chair kicking kids. Bring some interesting food, but nothing messy. Definitely bring your own sippy cup. They'll fill it up for you - the cup and straw thing is just asking for trouble.
DON'T pre-board. Run laps around the airport if you have to, but unless your children are falling asleep, don't get on the airplane any sooner than you have to. Go ahead and be the last one off though, since your children will all be asleep anyway. Why does that always happen? The moment the plane starts to descend, everyone falls asleep.
Most importantly - sit next to someone nice. Try a young grandmother. They don't mind you breastfeeding and will gladly watch your crew if you need to go to the bathroom. Don't worry, no one can kid nap them.
Most airports have a play ground of some sort. Look for it. Between a play ground an a Happy Meal, your lay-over almost over.
Finally, don't drug your kids. (unless you know, absolutely sure, what their reaction is I tried it once and it totally backfired on me. Better to have an awake child than a hyper-active one.
Too much info, I know.
You can do it. I'll pray for you. No stress. It can actually be fun.
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