By Dana Bachar Grossman ,
Best Seller Author of “Fight or flight? The survival guide for flying with kids”
- Have you ever taken a flight with a crying child who just wouldn’t fall asleep, feeling the other passengers wishing you would both miraculously disappear?
- Maybe you have landed looking like you just came out of a washing machine after flying with your kids, as one of them had diarrhea the whole flight?
If any of these scenarios ring a bell or come close, this article is for you!
Tip #1 Take-off distractions
Using their headphones on with their favourite music is helpful, and to appoint them as “co-pilot ”. Ask them to press the silver button in their seat until the airplane takes off! They love it!
Tip #2 F&B to avoid grumpy kids (and parents…)
- Pack their favorite food and have it handy, same goes for bottle
- Drink water / “Jet juice during take off and landing and often during the flight. It helps with the ear pressure pain and with the dry air onboard
- Pacifier – bring more than one…It’s a great help with ear pressure pain and calming them down
Tip #3 Diaper watch & Pee patrol
Pack many more diapers than you think you might need. It’s “Murphy’s law” laughing at you with an unexpected diarrhea episode on board. It’s the 1 hour 1 diaper(™) rule for us: the length of the flight dictates the number of diapers with a minimum of five diapers for super short flights.
Check the diaper often and use the washroom before boarding and before landing. It’s challenging to go against a stream of passengers embarking the aircraft with a leaking child haha!
Tip #4 Extra cloths
Pack diversity of extra comfortable clothes for them AND for you in case your food tray has been up in the air.. Socks, 2-3 sets of long pants and shirts, 3-4 sets of short pants and shirts & a hoodie! This is helpful for you to hold onto when they practice their “Zombie walk” up and down the aisle.
Tip #5 Arts and fun
Bring along colors & blank papers for drawing, stickers & playdough, “Post-it-notes” to decorate their tray or seat (easy to peel it off), books, playing cards & favourite toy or doll etc.
Tip #6 Sleeping routine
- Dress them up in long sleeves and long pants as their blanket won’t survive in place 🙂
- Buckle them up and check on them often to avoid falling from their seat while you sleep too…
- You! Yes, you! Doze off when they do… Make sure you leave behind any expectation for a long sleep for both you and them. Whatever you guys get is just great! Watch a movie when they go to college, haha!
Happy travels and fun trips!
Top tips for all ages and more in the BEST SELLER book “Fight or flight? The survival guide for flying with kids” on www.danastipsforparents.com
