Far too many families in America have a fear of flying with children.Traveling with children is different than traveling alone or with a loved one, but it can be just as enjoyable an experience with a little common sense, planning and helpful air travel tips.
Pick departure times based on anticipated napping schedules, traffic delays and meal needs. On longer flights, try to fly at night so that the kids can sleep. Try to get flights that have personal television screens so you can watch an old Audrey Hepburn movie while Junior takes in a cartoon.
Make sure you book seats well in advance so that your family can sit together. Try for window seats if the kids want to see the Alps or New York City from the sky.
Consider purchasing a travel insurance policy so that you don't lose your tickets should a family member get sick the night before the scheduled departure.
Check if the plane offers kids' meals. If not, bring food. Hungry kids are cranky kids. Pack your own supply of juice boxes, milks and mess-free snacks to last on the way there and through the first night of your trip in case of travel delays. Snacks shouldn't replace meals but everyone in my family always eats more on trips so plan accordingly.
If you're traveling with a baby cross-country or overseas, buy them their own seat (usually at a discount). If you are going to need a car seat at your destination, bring it on board The other option is to book your seat in the front of the cabin where they offer baby cribs that pull out in front of you. This makes for a tight trip but is cheaper than buying another seat.
Bring an extra set of clothes for the kids and an extra shirt for each of the adults in case anyone aims the yogurt the wrong way when opening it or gets sick on the journey.
Pack your own electronic entertainment for the journey. Personal DVD players don't work in all aircraft, so check ahead of time. Gameboys and other personal electronic devices are a godsend on long journeys. A new game or DVD that kids can open on the plane can buy you a lot of happy (and quiet) faces.
Let school age kids pack a backpack with everything they need. Don't forget a stuffed animal, new and favorite books and magazines, good old doodle paper and pencils, puzzles, travel games, a deck of cards and a new toy that they can only open once the plane takes off. Make it a rule that anything they want on the plane they have to carry.
Make sure to bring some lollipops for younger children or gum for older kids to lick and chew during take-offs and landings so their ears don't pop. Babies should be given bottles or sippy cups at this time.
Talk to your pediatrician about giving your children an antihistamine or other new medication before or during travel.
Make sure you also pack: baby wipes, hand sanitizer, hand cream, lip balm, bottled water, pain reliever for you and the kids, tissues, light sweaters and empty large Ziploc bags that can fit anything soiled. Keep all this readily available so that you're not fussing with the overhead compartment. Keep a vomit bag in your seat pocket just in case.
Dress nicely. You don't have to wear your Sunday best, but you will get treated better by the airplane staff if you leave the muscle shirt and sandals at home.
Bribery is your friend. Make a deal with kids who are old enough that they will not fight and they will sleep after the meal service on the plane if they want that bag of jelly beans.
Manners matter. Remind children that an airplane demands an indoor voice. Also, consider that not everyone thinks it's cute when a toddler plays peek-a-boo ad nauseum with fellow travelers. Refrain from singing Barney songs in public places, and resist Junior's ambition to be the plane's mayor, meeting and greeting everyone seated in an aisle seat.
Change diapers and make the kids go potty before boarding. Bring plenty of diapers and wipes as well as bags to put dirty ones in. Stinky diapers should be changed as soon as humanly possible. Never, ever change diapers on the seats. Opt for the bathroom or the back of the plane, and make sure you triple bag the soiled diaper so it doesn't reek.
Make the kids wear shoes into the bathroom. There are many germs just waiting to ruin your vacation so make shoes and hand washing mandatory.
Remember that kids, like dogs, can sense your fears. Try not to burden them with any fears you may have. Air travel is one of the safest forms of travel.
As a special treat, let the little ones take a tour of the cockpit if the cabin crew will allow it after landing.
Kids usually love the novelty of airplane travel. Relax and enjoy the ride along with them. Keep your eyes on the prize during the journey, knowing it will all be worth it once you get to your dream destination.
Article provided by Homesteader.
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