Okay mamas my daughter, son, mother and I are going on a 2 hour flight on Thursday. I think I'm ready - I have their diaper bag (backpack) ready to go and am taking the double side by side stroller to put them both in since we'll be there 2 hours before the plane boards and to keep both kids contained and not running around the airport!
I'm not taking a purse (just putting my wallet in their bag) and have these items to keep my kids occupied:
Snacks for my 1 year old (pb crackers, aarowroot cookies, applesauce)
Snacks for my 3 year old (trail mix, 2 campfire marshmallows, applesauce, pb crackers, fruit snacks)
I plan on giving the 'healthy' snacks first because I don't want them on a sugar high! I also plan to give my son something to drink during takeoff and my daughter some gum to chew to help with the pressure.
We're flying out at 305 pm so it 'could' be naptime for my son, but it just depends if he naps on the hour long drive to the airport. My daughter is taking her Leapfrog Tag Juinor books and an IPOD with movies, coloring paper and crayons along with a stuffed animal.
For my son, I brought a few toys that aren't too loud but think he'll like (something to chew on, an easter egg to open - he loves this one, fruit/veggies that are velcroed together, books with things to feel and one with a mirror). He'll also have his binky and a blanket.
Am I missing or forgetting anything?
He will not be in his own seat - but my daughter will. I have even thought about putting him in the seat (buckled) and holding my daughter so that maybe he'll feel more like he's in his carseat than if he were on my lap?
We're not bringing his carseat because we'll have one when we get there and also because he'll be on my lap.
Just wanted to know if there were any other tricks/games/ideas that worked well with your 1 year old. I've thought about wrapping the toys in tissue paper and giving him a new one every 20 minutes, also heard taking some tape and giving them pieces works well and keeps them occupied.
I'm not 'that' worried because it's a short flight...just figured I'd ask you wonderful mamas if there is anything I forgot! Oh yah, I will also be taking extra clothes for both kids, a blanket/hotsling, tylenol, teething tablets, wet wipes, am layering my clothes incase I need to take a layer off due to spit up or spills.
Thanks for all your suggestions! I'm leaving the double stroller at home and just taking a single one (for going to the terminals) and also taking my hotsling, that way IF my 3 year old wants to sit in a stroller, I can hold my 1 year old.
Also, I have packed a backpack of everything so I only have 1 bag - but in that bag, have a bag for each child, that way I'm not digging for snacks/toys for each child - I can grab their bag and let them look in it and grab something and take it out!
Thanks for all your suggestions!
Dont' try to take to much to do. I tried to do that with my son and just ended up overwhelmed at how much there was to carry
I know this might sounds crazy, but you might want to actually let them run around the airport. My son does much better on flights when he can get some energy out at the gate. even if its just walking around the gate area and looking out the windows at planes. If they sit in the stroller for an hour or two before the flight, they might be really really antsy an hour into that flight. Sickers are great. DVD player works wonders. I also get some books in the $1 section at target so they are new to look at. You seem to have everything I would bring on a flight. Oh, and if your 3 year old is anything like mine, I wouldn't bring the applesauce! Way to messy!
You have done your homework and you will do fine. I have traveled consistently with my 3.5 yr old since she was 5 months. I do also have a mini-backpack/harness that she wears when we are in the airport. It is a cute little pack that has a strap/leash that attaches to it. I put the strap around my wrist and hold her hand. I thought I'd get negative reactions to it, and I got just the opposite. I have had so many people ask where I can get one. I got mine at BRU, but Target also sells cute ones that are animal backpacks (and the tail is the strap). It gives me a lot of security that she can't just walk away from me, and it just takes 1 minute of distraction for that to happen.
Most important, you just need to be calm and you kids will sense that. Make sure that you have told them ahead of time about security procedures so it's not a surprise to them. The security folks are great with kids. Happy travels!!
Looks like you've got it covered! I did the same thing this summer w/ a2/3 year old. Went better than I thought - just got lucky! Something 'new' to keep their attention was the key. In my case it turned out to be the toys from McDonalds in the airport. Who knew. Movies (DVD player work well too). No other suggestions. Just relax and take it as it comes.... whatever happend, you will be there in 2 hrs... AND going to bathroom was a challenge... couldn't leave the little one alone - he would have run all over. But you CAN fit 3 of you in the airplane bathroom - at least on an airbus!!!
Safe travels.
Sounds like you do have it covered. Instead of tape you could work with stickers. I used those on a plane and a lot in church and they helped when they were this young. My only other word of advice is to let them run around as much as you can before the flight so that they aren't sitting still then having to sit still again. When we stopped at an airport I let my one year old go up and down some steps over and over that weren't busy.
FYI: I went on a 10 hour flight with a 3 and 1 year old....and it was much more easier than I thought it was going to be.
Good luck and have fun!
You totally have it covered. I agree with after take off, putting the baby in the car seat and have your 3 year old in your lap....if the 1 year old is cranky/busy.
I also agree with the pp....find a place in the airport that is not that crowded and let the run around and explore.
Good luck!
