Flying with 2 Toddlers Advice? Edited

I live in a remote part of Alaska, so I fly with my kids all the time - often times w/out my husband. My kids are 2.5 & 1.5.

Here is my advice: use rolling luggage and backpacks if possible. Have your older child bring his own rolling carry on. Pack it with 'special' toys & snacks. put just a couple diapers and wipes for the baby in the outside pocket. This is the bag that you should put under the seat in front of your son. If you don't already have a rolling suitcase for him, there is a nice quality one for $18 at Wal-Mart. I always pack extra clothes, diapers, and wipes in my carry on.

I would suggest having your fiance drop you off (even though he doesn't think its a good idea, it really will be easier). You can rent a cart while he waits in the car with the kids. Just walk inside and sit down at the first chair you see, your fiance can meet you there. The kids should be entertained by all the excitement of the airport!

I think the most stressful part of flying is getting thru security. Put your kids shoes and coats IN a carry-on before you get to the security checkpoint; and don't put them back on until you are totally clear of the security area. That way you don't have to juggle all the little stuff.

Remember when traveling with kids you ARE allowed to take milk or juice thru security. Also, if your baby still drinks a lot of milk like mine do; make sure to buy a few small cartons before getting on the plane. Lots of planes do not carry milk.

Finally, if you can avoid taking the car seats, that would help. We always try to borrow from friends or family when we get to our destination; or rent them with our rental car.

Good luck and have FUN!

M.,

We have 1 daughter and flew with her at 4mo and 11mo. So a little different from you but here's what we did. My husband dropped me off with our daughter at the drop-off curb with as much of our luggge as I could carry by myself: diaper bag, baby in her carseat, purse and small roller bag. I made my way to the check-in area and camped out on a bench while he went to the remote lot and came back on the shuttle with the rest of the luggage. I carried our daughter in our Ergo baby carrier once the carseat was checked in so my hands were free. I think they might work for a 1.5 year old. Maybe this won't work for you since you have two children, but thought I'd throw it out there.

Best of luck to you!
C

ok--here's what I'd do:
scout out your parking spot, then drop your man off at the nearest luggage cart (there's usually some in the parking garage). While you're unloading the kids into the stroller, etc., he can load the luggage. Cart it all to the gate, you're good to go. The shuttle driver should help you load and unload and may even provide a cart. Your eldest can carry his own carry-on (backpack) and backpacks are handy in general for carry-ons if you have a few. Remember, your big boy can be more helpful than you give him credit for! Put him to work pushing the stroller, pulling a bag with wheels, etc.
Good luck!

Hi M.. I totally echo what Allison said below. I have twins and this is how we did it when we traveled. I would drop off dad and kids and all luggage and then I would go drop the car off at the parking lot and take the shuttle back. Dad would just wait w/ the kids in the stroller and the luggage until I got there. One thing that worked well for us was to have my husbands laptop and have a DVD to show the kids if they were getting really restless. Also make sure you have something for them to drink (suck on) during take off and landing for their ear pressure.

I am also a mother of 2. Preston is 4 and Lily is 2. We lived in Germany for 4 years. When we lived there we flew back and forth,with about 24 hour travel tim, 6 different times. What I always did was pack a bag with fresh snacks like apples, oranges and extra juice. Since flying helps make you dehydrated make sure you give them plenty of water before you fly. Also pack books and a favorite toy. My son especially liked the matchbox cars. Another fun thing for emergency break down's I always had some suckers or a wrapped present like a little car of something. If your having a tough time with keeping him in his seat this always worked like a charm for me. Hope this helps.

I would advise one person be dropped off at the airport. Go get a cart, come back to the car and load up all the luggage. This person can take the child who can walk. The other person can go park the car and take the shuttle with your 1.5 year old. This will take a bit longer but will avoid having to pay for a shuttle etc for everyone to get dropped off at the door. Depending on how long you are parking you can also stay at a nearby hotel for the night and get parking for at least a week included. They will shuttle you to the airport the next day.

Continental and United has set out some new luggage rules so your two bags free may not exist any longer. Call your airlines to verify.

Usually when one airline changes their rules the other airlines like to follow, so please check before you travel and get the agents name and date and time you talked to them just for backup at the airport.

Here would be my recommendation. ( I have been a travel agent for the last 30 years). I would have your Fiancé drop off you and the older child with the luggage at the front door of the check in area He will assist you in packing the luggage on one of the carts then he will take the other child and the car and park. and take the shuttle back to the airport to meet up with you. He can then check in and help with the luggage.

Also on your return trip, if you follow the same pattern where he will take one child and go directly and pick up the car and then meet you at the luggage claim area with the baggage. There will always be someone who can help with the baggage off the Carousel and help you load it, Just Ask!

Have a great trip!

I have personally only traveled with one little one; but am planning a trip with two (3 years & 9 months)... but feel blessed with only an hour and half; we will have like 18 hours of travel (from Hungary to Seattle). I suggest don't overpack your carry, bring a book, or some pencils to keep the kids occupied during that hour; and another good thing is a baby-b-journ or a carrier; but they are a small challenge going through security. The umbrella stroller was very helpful; they get packed up and put through the scanners and everything. Also, slip on and slip off shoes can save a lot of hassle if needed going through security. But, dress comfortably if you can. ALso, if the 1.5 year old is traveling on your seat; then you have to check the second car seat. Your 4.5 year old may need to be strapped into his car seat on the plane... that is something I would check on. I agree with the first person and try to drop off the kids and the luggage and have just one person (if possible) park the car in long term parking). When I traveled with my 1 1/5 year old; we set him on our rolling suit case (my mom's carry-on)and he had a blast with that... but you just need to watch him. Hope your travels go smooth! We will be traveling with 2 in April as well. There was a joke I once read that "There are two classes in traveling; first class; and then traveling with children!" With a short flight you'll be amazed at the fact that you take off, and you land; and you have about 30 minutes in between. :)

My husband has always dropped me off at the curbside with my twin boys and as much of the stuff/luggage/car seats as I could handle and then he went to park the car and take the shuttle back by himself. (We have traveled by plane a couple times a yr since they were 6 months- now 2.5). Whomever stays in the airport with the kids has to keep them entertained but I think it made things simpler and faster in the long run.

We went from Seattle to Boston this summer with our 1 1/2 year old, 8yr old and 5 year old. I will suggest you bring the stroller and put your toddler in the stroller and hang the carry on over the stroller on the way from the car/shuttle to the airport (do you have an umbrella stroller? that would be the easiest but a full stroller will work too. You can leave the stroller at the opening of the airplane and it will be there when you get off the plane. Just go to the check in counter on at the gate and get a luggage tag for it. It will save you a lot of headache with having to carry your toddler through the airport. I'd check the 4.5 year olds booster seat with your luggage (as we did) Take the car seat for the toddler on the plane-trust me my son was much happier in the car seat-just like in a car.
DOes your luggage have wheels? You can strap the car seat to the luggage with wheels so you can wheel that behind you as you push the stroller. Of course your 4.5 year old with have to walk-give him/her their own little backpack with goodies/books/ toys etc. they can put on their back.

Wear shoes that are easy to take on and off for going through baggage check/security. You will have to take your shoes off-the kids too.

I was so nervous but it went really smooth and the kids actually had fun. We went on a much longer flight. Maybe your kids will even sleep on the plane? The car seat helped my son sleep just like he does in the car.

Pack extra snacks/goodies. Take advantage of getting on the plane first-have one of you go on first to put stuff away/put the car seat in the seat, etc. Then the other parent comes on with the kids at the last minute. Sometimes you have to wait forever before the plane even takes off so I think the less time the kids are on the plane the better.

Portable DVD players are great. We brought on my two oldest kids shared and my son watched Thomas the Tank Engine on my video IPOD.

Trust me, do take the car seat on the plane for your little one. We didn't do that on the last plane ride home and regretted it-big time.

Hi, I am a mother of 2 boys and we have flown a few times. One of us will drop off the other with one or both kids if possible and check in early then the other will park and come back. You can either check in at the curb which costs extra or you can wait close to where you were dropped off until the other adult comes back. You can at least check in the carseats and your luggage if there is no line. Also, strap kids in carseat or have stroller that can be brought to the terminal

M.,

You might consider having your fiance drop you, the kids and your baggage/car seats off at the airport. Then he can go park and hop on the shuttle, then you do not have to worry about getting everything on the shuttle. Also if you use an umbrella stroller rather than a standard stroller, they are much more compact and quick and easy to fold up as you are getting on/off the plane. Take a few snacks for the kids and bottles of water or juice boxes and bring coloring books/paper and crayons something for them to do. But do not pack too much stuff, I made that mistake once and it can get a little hairy getting things and kids on/off the planes if you have too much "stuff". An hour and 15 minute flight is nothing, the kids will be fine.

Good luck!

I am the mother of 4 kids, ages 10 and under, before my 4th child was born I flew my 3 kids from Washington State to Virginia without my husband and it all went very smooth.

I fly with my kids rather frequently both alone and with my husband. Our most recent trip was in December when my daughter was 4 and son 1 1/2.

I think you will be bumming if you try to take both kids, 2 carseats, luggage and stroller on the shuttle. Personally we avoid that at all costs. Do you have rolling bags that attach to eachother? I would figure out how much you can take if your finance drops you off...or you and your oldest. Your oldest should at least be able to pull a medium sized rolling bag a short distance into the airport. Perhaps your finance could manage the youngest, the stoller a carseat and a bag. Another option is to drop off all your luggage at the curbside check you don't have to get in line....and just wait there for your fiance to park and return on the shuttle. The area is covered so you won't get wet and it shouldn't be too cold in April.

Here is the logistical process that we use inside the airport. My daughter has a small rolling bag that she fills with small toys, books, coloring books, crayons, etc. I bring a stroller for my son and I also have a rolling carry-on with snacks, a change of clothes for both kids (I learned the hard way on this one), wipes, etc. When we are in the airport my daughter will roll her carry-on with one hand and hold onto the stroller with the other hand. That way I have controll of both kids always. I would suggest checking at least one carseat and only bring the carseat on the plane for your youngest. Carseat bags with an over the shoulder carrying strap can be purchased at Babies R Us (etc) and can be an easy way to travel through the airport with it.

Once at security I leave the youngest in the stroller until the last moment. I give instructions to my oldest (take off shoes & jacket). Once I have everything ready to go through security I take the youngest out of the stroller, fold up stroller and we all walk through together. Once through security I get the youngest back in the stroller first so I can focus on getting the rest of our stuff.

I would also suggest that you prep you oldest with what to expect. If you choose to have your oldest take a rolling carry-on and hold onto the stoller when in the airport you might practice how this works at home.

Good luck!

I only traveled with our 7 month old, but my advice is to rent the car seats. It was a hassel to lug ours around, to/from the airport, and the car rental service would provide them with little to no charge. Also, if you are going to visit people that also have little ones, they may have extras that you could borrow. Also, I brought WAY too many toys for my girl to play with on the plane...the flight was about 2.5 hours, and she slept most of it (yeah!), but the whole experience was enough stimulation for her, the barely even noticed her toys. Maybe 1-2 things like coloring books would be enough to keep your older ones occupied on the flight. Good luck!

I would strongly recommend that you have your fiance' drop you and the kids and luggage off at the terminal. This way you don't have to worry about kids+ bags on and off the shuttle ( which means you don't have to worry about tipping the driver). Pull up to the terminal and then have your fiance' take the bags right inside of the doors. Meanwhile you can get the kids out of the car. He can go and park the car and then take the shuttle while you wait indoors. The two car seats - check them in. Strollers can be taken right to the door of the plane. Ask for a tag at the counter when you check in. There will be bags for the car seats so they don't get damaged. Have the oldest stand by you ( this is the great time to use straps if you need it - I know I thought they were awful before I almost lost my son in a park)
with the little one in the stroller.
If you guys are running late, have the older one push the stroller with you going back and forth with the three bags. It sounds hard, but it will work out. I have done it many times. I have three kids. ha ha ha
Good luck. Have a safe trip !

Relax..it is not as hard as it seems, although not as easy as flying alone!! Number one, strollers and diaper bags do not count as carry-on's,so these can follow you to the gate where you can gate check the stroller/car seats (if you're not bringing he seats on..check them!) so put car seats on the stroller, 18 month old in a carrier. Lug stuff to a bus stop, and they wait patiently while you schlep all you items onto the bus (one of you, while the other is on the bus with the 2 kids). At the airport, do curbside to get rid of your bAGS QUICKLY, OR one of you wait on the curb with the kids and extra bag while the other runs them in to line. That is assuming you can't pull all the bags and kids at once (as a family four, we have always managed it, although not prettyily) You can do it, i promise!!

My suggestion: Go REALLY early, have Dad drop you, one child and luggage off. Dad THEN goes to park in long term with second child, second child does shuttle with dad and no luggage. You check luggage while Dad comes back to meet you. If Dad can handle both kids on the shuttle, or if you want to switch sides with you parking, then try that instead =) But I really think, with all the luggage it will be easier to drive up to check-in and then drive back. Pack some extra food and water for the check-in wait time but be prepared to dump it when you get to security as they are still very tight on security.

Good luck! Let us know how it goes- I'll be flying with my one and two-and-a-half year olds By Myself next month =)

Hello M.,
My name is S. and I've done quite a bit of flying with children. I've learned a lot. I'd like to share that most airports have a Park Shuttle and Fly that is much cheaper than long term parking. Long term parking is very expensive. I don't know where you are flying from but check the internet. The children will be fine. The people that drive the shuttle will help you on board and get seated. When you get checked in, you get to board first because of the children. Take a back pack with a change of clothes for each of the children. You stated you weren't going to be in the air long, but I still recommend it. If you put your purse and what ever you need in the back pack you can eliminate the purse. I don't know how long you're going to be gone but two changes of clothes for the children per day with diapers and the two adults one change of clothes and you're set. I used to overpack, never used half of what I took, then the airlines cut down on weight, that has been helpful too. I hope this is helpful to you. If you have any questions email me: ____@____.com
S. W.

Since you are traveling with two adults, I would recommend dropping off one adult with the older kid and all the luggage etc (they have the carts out front of the departure area). The other adult can go park the car with a small amount of carry-on, stroller and kid. Those should be relatively easy to transport on the shuttle. Be sure you don't have any formula or diaper cream or other liquids in the diaper bag over 3 ozs. It is a no go going through security! (Although, I think they will actually give you a break on the formula . . .but I wouldn't try!!!!)
Good luck.

Have your fiance drop you, the kids and all the stuff at the airport door then park and ride the shuttle by himself. Do the luggage check in then if you can, or have him bring the suitcases on the shuttle if he can manage. Take a stroller through the airport, just fold it up through security. You can gate-check it when you get on the plane and they'll have it waiting for you when you get off too. A few toys, books and snacks on the plane should be enough. Its not a real long flight. Don't forget diapers and a change of clothes just in case :)

I like the idea that Catherine suggested of dropping one adult and luggage off at check in and other parent take toddler and car to be parked.

Regulations may be different with different carriers so I suggest that you call the airline on which you're flying to ask about what can be carried on and if older child needs booster; that sort of thing. There may be a web site for the airline and the airport that would also give you up to date info.

You could also call the shuttle company and find out where their shuttle stops are and the likliehood that you could park near a stop so that you wouldn't have to lug your luggage very far. The shuttle itself will carry your baggage right along with you. And carts may be available in different parts of the lot.

For how long will you be parking your car? Some airports (the one I flew into in Albequerque) has a shuttle that will pick you up and take you to the airport. Again they are set up to handle luggage. This may be less expensive. If the airport doesn't have one to pick you up at home but does take you home when you return, perhaps a friend could drop you off. You can also catch an airport shuttle at many hotels/motels. Parking may be less expensive away from the airport.

Depending on how long you will be gone I'd suggest taking less bags. And definitely use bags that roll. You can find them for low prices at thrift stores. You can hook a smaller bag on the handle of a bag that rolls upright.

we put one child in a front pack, one in a stroller and parked close to the shuttle and just took trips loading and unloading until we got into the terminal. it is a lot of work but a fact of life. have fun and good luck!

Hi, I just got back from a 2 1/2 hour flight from LA to Portland, OR. It was exhausting but we did it. We had a 2 year old, 4 month old, 4 check-ins and 4 carry ons, 2 being backpacks. We parked at our cousins house nearby. My husband dropped me off and I waited until he parked and rode the bus back (we wanted to save the $30 airport parking fee) One the way out of Portland, they allowed me to check in without him, so I got all the bags taken care of by the time he was back. We couldn't have done it without a cart though. In L.A., I had to wait for him to come back from returning the car. The airlines reccommend 1 - 1 1/2 hours before the flight. That seemed to be plenty of time for us, even with all the extra security nowadays.
My family of 9 travelled alot and took the shuttle often. People will help, the driver will help.
I think the economy parking at any airport is cheaper than long term, but it depends how long you're there.
We did alot of running back and forth with luggage. Once I even asked a stranger to look after our luggage. There was no choice. My husband was right outside, but it was aways to get outside. We had one kid in the car and I was carrying the other. It's so crazy! Have fun and good luck!

We've flown with our two young children frequently - and we have faced the same issue with having to carry a lot of stuff. Looks like you've already gotten this suggeston, but it has really worked out great for my husband to drop me off with the luggage and the kids. (Sometimes my older child stays with him and parks and rides the shuttle bus in). When he drops me off, first thing he does is get a luggage cart and loads it up...then we get the younger child strapped in the stroller. We leave the car at the curb for 15 seconds while he rolls the luggage in, and I bring the stroller in, walking with my older child. We grab the nearest seat to the door - even if it is on the floor in the corner. Then my husband turns right around and goes out the revolving door, and he is on his way to long term parking. I break out some snacks and sit with the luggage and my child (or children) until my husband joins us - which has always been within 20 minutes. It's never failed to work for us, even when my little girl was an infant (she just turned three, and my son just turned 6). The cost? One luggage cart...and some distraction to keep the kids in one spot for 20 minutes. (I usually break out the crayons and/or some matchbox cars.)

Hi M.,
I haven't flown with children per se, but I am a well seasoned traveler both pregnant and not. My suggestion would be to have your partner drop you and the infant off at departures at the airport where you can do curb-side check-in with your baggage. It's $2 an item plus tip. Then you can wait with your 1.5 y-o while your partner parks the car and shuttles back with your 4.5 y-o. If that's still too much to spend you can drop him off with the luggage and 4.5 y-o so that he can check the luggage himself. Then you can park the car and shuttle with your 1.5 y-o. I would just check the bags first with all that you have. If you don't feel comfortable going to the long-term parking by yourself, you could (if going to PDX) circle around the airport where there is a place to wait until your partner calls (if you have cell phones) and tells you to come back and get him. PDX is pretty small and easy to negotiate. Just some ideas. Hope they help. S.

Hi M.
Just wanted to let you know from another Mom of 2 who flies alone (back home to FL) a few times a year, it is not as hard as it seems. Offsite parking usually picks you up beside or near your car, the drivers help load your stuff on the van and are usually very nice (some expect a tip when dropping at the airport). They usually drop you pretty near your airlines ticket counter. If your airline has curbside checkin, do that it saves time. Your carseat straps should loosen enough to wear as a backpack and I would only take the 1 year olds. A 1 hour flight is over before you know it. Remember to empty your sippy cups and no extra juice or water bottles are allowed through security. You will have to get something to drink on the other side. Also my 2 year old hates taking her shoes off for security but everyone has to, wear shoes that can slip on and off easily. Your stroller will be stowed underneath once you get to the airplane. If you have luggage with wheels its always a plus, you can usually strap extra peices to the biggest one. Check everything you dont need! Dragging extra stuff around is the worst! One fun thing my kids do is pick out bublegum for the flight, it helps their ears to pop and I let them pick any kind they want. And a few inexpensive toys in a bag with their name on it. Or just paper and crayons. Be usre to let you airline know you are flying with 2 kids because we have had problems with weight and balance issues on planes with lots of kids. Hopefully everything goes smooth and you have a wonderful trip!

My husband and I flew with our six month old twins and all of the baggage and carseats that were needed a few months ago. What we found to work was one of us dropped the babies and luggage off at the Departure area. It was easier to wait inside the terminal with the kids and stuff while the other person parked the car and navigated shuttles back.
Just an idea--good luck.

First, I hope you bought a separate seat for the youngest. I know they can sit on your lap until 2 yrs, but when they need to nap it is fab to be able to let them lay down. You can still have the buckle around them loosely. As for car seats, if you are renting a car on the arrival, they can include for minimal, a car seat for each. I found my daughter was not confortable in her casr seat on the plane, and she was more fussy. Make sure you have snacks and if your older child has a portable DVD take it. That was the best thing we ever bought for road, and plane trips. Or find a friend you can borrow from for the trip. You will do fine.
T.

I have flown with my almost 2 year old several times and I have figured out that lots of new surprises are really a hit. We spent about $15 at a local toy store and got small toys that we gave to our son every 15-30 during our trip. We also packages lots of little snacks like pretzles, raisins, almonds and cut up fruit. This was a godsend as well. One of the BEST things we did cost more but it was really worth it. We purchased a GoGoKidz Travelmate. This is a device that hooks on to most car seats and turns it into a stroller. This allowed us to bring one less thing and my son enjoyed travelling around in his carseat. This only works if there is a stoller at your destination. Hope that helps!

I too went on a trip with 2 sibling's, one was 2 and the other was not quite 1 and I went with an carry on also but I left the car seat's at home as there are other people whose traveling unless you are going on an Jet Air, there aren't anymore room other then elbow room & the air line does have booster seat's and I had to hold my youngest as she wouldn't settle down on a plane too many people and noise going on's, also the stroller, as they put that with the luggage, but if you are planning to carring more then you can handle you will be sorry to even try this trip with little one's as the Stewardist, did bring my coloring book and crayon's for the older one, that helped alot, no toy's that were remote control and if your oldest is bound and determond to bring a toy make sure he or she can put it in the pocket, as they will be bored before long, I went from Spokane to New Mex, Never again with children that age !! People can and will be rude !! Have a wonderful trip !!