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December 26, 2006
Need advice for flying with young children
We will be taking our first trip on an airplane with kids soon and we have no idea what to expect. Does anyone have advice for traveling with young kids? Anything special that we should be bringing with us on the plane? Any tips for surviving a long flight with a toddler and infant? Also, how do you survive a time change with kids? Do they adjust pretty easily or are there things that we can do to help the change in schedule not be so traumatic? Any advice would be great!
Posted by laini at December 26, 2006 04:47 PM
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Comments
Have you thought of prescription sedatives? No seriously - buy a box of band aids. Open, close the box, peel and stick the band aids. Let them feel special while the hours tick away...
Posted by: Rob Hatch at December 27, 2006 08:20 AM
Laini - was purusing blogs on the covenant website and found yours, i don't usually leave comments on people that I barely know (I knew you mostly through Dan H. and my husband Aaron Rapier). But, we have had some experience with flying. Our son is 22 months old and we have taken him to the Netherlands twice. Once at 3 months and once at 18 months. Here is what has worked for us.
Talk to your dr. if you consider using medication. Some kids react opposite and get hyper - that would not be good.
Bring a big bag of toys and books - some new ones that the child has not seen before and pull out a new toy or book every hour or so. Next time we fly we are bringing a portable dvd player.
Snacks are a must because you never know when the flight attendants will bring the food to you.
If you are traveling to a different time zone keep your kids on as close to a normal schedule in that time zone as possible and expose them (and you) to as much sunlight as possible. Something about the sunlight helps the body get in sync with the time zone you are in.
THe biggest thing - go with the flow. It usually takes us all about 3 days to adjust back completely to our normal schedule in a new time zone. And flying with young children is a test in patience and requires a great sense of humor.
Good luck!
By the way - your kids are adorable.
Sarah (Viss) Rapier
Posted by: Sarah at December 27, 2006 01:27 PM
u know we just flew with Rehema on a 16 hours flight...with a break in between. she did okay most of the time but would not sleep so we had to entertain her. She watched some TV, we let her stand or walk if she wanted. (she did not have a seat so that was tricky) ask for water or juice for Jaron, (you can also carry your own)and you will have to nurse Elias a little more during the flight. The dr. said give her, her sippy cup during take off and landing to help with her ears coz when she swallows her ears will pop. i didn't give her medicine to make her sleep coz she was on anti-malaria. yes, carry lots of snacks and if your flight offers meals during the flight, make sure you confirm that they will have child meals for Jaron. I don't know what Elias is eating now, but they also have baby food if you request it. if you do not confirm, they will assume you are bringing your own meals for your kids. and I had a lot of fun with the changing table!!! Kenya was 8 hours ahead at that time, and we arrived at night, so she slept, and then the next day, we did not allow her to sleep until her usual nap time which she slept a little longer than usual. just try and keep to the new time zone.
Posted by: gracie at December 27, 2006 04:08 PM
Thanks for the advice everyone! It was all very helpful. We will be sure to bring plenty of snacks, books, and DVDs. I wonder if it is ok to fill up Jaron's sippy cup, since they have the new liquid restrictions?? I am sure I will have plenty of stories to share once this trip is over!
By the way, I DO remember you Sarah - thanks for commenting!
Posted by: laini at December 27, 2006 10:55 PM
thanks for the post laini. joanna and i are flying to london for a couple weeks in feb. so the advice here was helpful as i anticipate that. i may have to do a similar post on my blog when the time gets to be closer.
Posted by: sarah at January 4, 2007 09:49 PM
Laini...
It seems I don't actually have your email address in my address book - but thanks for taking Hellen to get her SS card - sounds like you had a fun time.
bpm
Posted by: Brian at January 25, 2007 03:09 AM
much prayer and supplication is needed.
Posted by: daniel at January 25, 2007 11:32 AM
happy belated birthday Laini...have u flown yet? pray that none of your kids makes you guys be thrown out of the plane. turns out the majority of the people think it was a good move to throw out that family from the place because of their 3 year old
Posted by: gracie at January 25, 2007 06:06 PM