Have you ever sat on a plane with a crying baby and felt so bad for the parent? Or maybe you were the one complaining about the baby (as if they could help it?) well, folks, I have been there.
I remember one time I was flying to Tx from Coloado to see my brother and his family. My oldest was just 3, my middle child was 1, and I was pregnant! The trip out there was delightful. Really. I couldn't have asked for a better trip. I had passengers walk to the back of the plane to use the restroom and tell me how well behaved my kids were and one gentleman in particular, who was sitting very close to us, commented on how he hadn't even realized there children on the flight!
Fast forward one week on the return flight.....I had JUST gotten over a 24 hr bug that left me with no sleep and dehydrated, my children had not really seen me the previous day, due to being sequestered near a bathroom at all times....and as a result, were extra clingy for some mommy attention. Now, throw in a mad dash for the plane, cabin pressure so that ears won't pop, and the need for attention from an exhausted and stressed mom and you have a recipe for a miserable trip.
So what are we to do? Never leave home?
Now that would be torture!
The obvious:
1. Rest.
You, as the parent, need to be rested! Stay calm, children feel
your stress and react accordingly. If you fly early in the day,
children are rested from night and not yet tired.
2. Food.
Make sure the kids and you are fed, BEFORE boarding the plane.
Have easy snacks that aren't too messy such as fruit roll-ups or
granola bars. If the kids are old enough, gum works well for ear
pressure.
3. Bathroom.
Teeny-tiny airplane bathrooms. Enough said.
4. Distractions.
One or two well thought out toys or books go a long way. An iTouch
for an older child will keep them plenty busy with all the apps. A
favorite QUIET baby toy goes a long way. Your plane mates do not
want to hear "Old MacDonald" 53 times from L.A. To Dallas.
The not-so-obvious:
1. Touch.
Cranky baby? Try massage. Rub baby's tummy in clockwise motion.
Try rubbing temples lightly or light compression (gentle squeezing)
on limbs.
2. Luggage.
As tempting as it is to bring everything AND the kitchen sink,
you WILL survive without every toy baby owns. YOU can survive
without 3 changes of clothes per day. If you are not juggling as
much luggage, you have more hands and attention to your children.
BUY diapers when you get to your destination. Check everything that
you can do without. Diapers, blankie, snack should be carry on.
That's what I call a BARGAIN!
3. Enlisting Help.
If you are the lone adult, like I was, then consider enlisting the
help of friend. Besides dropping off or picking up at the airport,
what about asking them to accompany you INSIDE to help corral
toddlers or luggage? Did you know airlines can give you a gate
pass so they are allowed to accompany you to the gate even though
they won't have a boarding pass? You will have better luck on a
non-busy day, but if you don't ask, you don't receive! Also, don't
forget a friend can accompany you all the way TO (but not through)
security if they don't have a gate pass.
And don't forget help on the other end! The same rules apply for help
when you arrive at your destination!
Have fun, travel safe AND smart!
