|
You are using an insecure version of your web browser. Please update your browser!
Using an outdated browser makes your computer unsafe. For a safer, faster, more enjoyable user experience, please update your browser today or try a newer browser.
|
|
Flight Attendant Mom Gives Tips for Flying With Kids |
Sometimes children want to bring everything with them on a trip. When we were moving, Ella asked, “But how will they get the bathroom and toilet and sink on the moving truck?” If you give your child the option to choose a few toys to bring on the airplane, be sure to give some guidelines. (Preferably give them a choice of some pre-selected toys that are appropriate for the aircraft.)
What do you think of Ella’s packing choices here in this video?
It’s great to start traditions when you fly. What are some of your travel traditions? Ella started this one on her own when she was just a toddler:
A huge fear of parents is that their toddler will throw a tantrum in public. On the plane, when there is no place to take the toddler to prevent bothering others, this fear is magnified. Some worry that they will be kicked off the flight if their child throws a tantrum. While this is not likely, it has happened, at least twice just in this past year, and on two separate airlines. So the fears are not completely unfounded.
The best solution of course is to prevent the tantrums from happening at all. When a toddler is well rested, fed on time, and able to express himself, the tantrums happen less. Anyone who has a toddler knows these things are not always controllable. And toddlers are unpredictable. So….what can you do when you’re stuck on an airplane and your toddler isn’t cooperating?
PREPARE
As I talked about in my post Traveling with Toddlers…, the more you prepare your child for what to expect on the plane, the better the experience will be. In the weeks/days leading up to your trip, have some play time with your child pretending you are getting on an airplane. Set up chairs; emphasize buckling their seatbelt; talk about paying attention to the flight attendants. Act out anything you can think of so your child will know what to expect.
Another part of preparation is having the supplies you’ll need to keep your child content and entertained. My post Packing for Toddlers gives some ideas of how I packed for Ella at that age.
OFFER INCENTIVES
The most useful thing for this age was having a variety of snacks. I found it helpful to have a couple of snacks that were something she had never seen before: a new type of gummy candy or a new flavor of cereal…something to get excited about. This doesn’t have to be a sugary treat. I was able to keep Ella from having any type of candy until a few weeks before she turned two. And then the lollipop was a favorite. (You could always do a sugar-free lolly if you desire.)
Make sure you don’t give the “reward” until they comply with what you need them to do. For instance, when the seatbelt sign came on for landing, (if Ella was not already in her seat at the time), I would tell her, “Look! The seatbelt sign is on! Time to sit down and buckle your seatbelt. Then you can have a lollipop!” I quickly put her seatbelt on then immediately gave her the lolly. Right after that, I donned her bib (we love Bumkins Bibs, which are machine washable and waterproof yet soft). Having baby wipes nearby is a good idea, because the lolly is bound to get sticky!
SHOW SYMPATHY
While you shouldn’t give in to your child’s demands or let him be in charge, it often helps to offer sympathetic words to an upset toddler. I think one of the biggest triggers for a tantrum is the child not being able to fully express himself. Sometimes, even in the midst of the fit, just to say calmly, “I understand…you don’t want to…” lets the child know you are listening. It doesn’t mean giving in to their desires. Even now, with Ella (nearly 4), I sometimes say—even as I’m carrying her to her room through her protests—“I know you don’t want to go to bed. You’d rather stay up and play. But it’s time for bed now.” Just by me saying what she’s feeling, she (sometimes) calms down.
While none of these things guarantee a tantrum-free child, they will hopefully help at some point. As anyone who has ever had a toddler knows, there is no single solution to any toddler issue. Often the thing that works one day will not work the next. But it might work again the next week. Just remember that while this day (or flight) might be terrible, the next might be wonderful. Hang in there! Children do, at some point, grow out of the tantrum stage. You will survive!
A lollipop can sometimes be the solution to a cranky toddler…at least temporarily.
Yesterday we made the move from San Diego to New York. Ella’s dad has earned upgrades with his frequent travel and upgraded us all to Business Class. We had the seats that go fully flat, and boy, was that nice! Ella very rarely sleeps on the plane, but she did this time. In fact there was a point when all three of us were asleep! We don’t usually get to travel in such luxury, but after the tiring move, that was a great treat!
Ella still says the iPod Touch was the most fun thing on the plane. I thought she would have chosen the lay-flat-seats as her favorite. I should have known better.
It was nice to get a meal. Cheerios is nothing fancy, but it was perfect for Ella.
Surprisingly the time seemed to go by fast. Ella, at nearly 4 years old, spent the 6 hours reading books and playing with toy reindeer, stuffed animals, iPod touch, a magnifying glass, and Color Wonder markers. The rest of the activities I brought weren’t necessary this time. (As I type this that list seems like a lot, but you never know with small children. I had twice that much for her to play with. If she hadn’t napped she would probably have gone through it all.)
We got to New York safely. It was raining, so Ella’s car seat got wet when they brought it up from under the aircraft. Luckily we had a Sham Wow in our bag that was perfect to line the seat and keep Ella from getting wet. 
When you’re moving, it’s impossible to pack light. Here’s Ella on all our bags:
Well, we are now call New York airports home! We’re excited for our new adventures from here. I’m especially looking forward to more possibilities for traveling to Europe now that it won’t take a day and a half to get there. We’ll share more Cloud Surfing Adventures as they happen! Tell us about your last flight!
To all of our Cloud Surfing fans, Happy Valentine’s Day! We’ll be adding more content to the site soon. Also we’re looking forward to announcing our first Giveaway in the near future. Stay tuned!
I will tell you more about the Go-Go Babyz TravelMate Deluxe Cruizer, but all you really need to know is this: You can easily steer it with TWO FINGERS!!! Go-Go Babyz advertises that the Deluxe Cruizer can be steered with just one hand, but they are being modest.
Walking to the plane I stopped for a smoothie and was able to push the Cruizer WITH THE SAME HAND THAT WAS HOLDING THE SMOOTHIE! Not just pushing in a straight line, but around people and turning corners! My other hand was free to hold Ella’s hand as we walked to our gate. (She wanted to walk so I used the Cruizer to hold the lunchbox and backpack.) I have an injured shoulder and I normally cannot push with that arm without experiencing pain. But I was able to push the Cruizer with no pain at all, using my “bad” arm!
Parents, do you know what this means? It means that you really do have a third hand, just like you’ve always dreamed! Have you ever tried to push your stroller with the same hand that was holding your coffee? This is what that looks like:
(Coffee spilling. Elbow steering required. Wheels turning when you want to go straight!)
The Go-Go Babyz TravelMate Deluxe Cruizer glides smoothly with just a push of your little finger. It’s so amazing!
It’s so easy…a child can push it!
If that isn’t enough to convince you that you NEED this product, here is the rest of my review:
Set up out of the box is simple. It took me about 15 minutes and the instructions were clear. I added the Toddler Adapter for our Convertible Car Seat. I strongly encourage you to read the simple operating instructions! I did NOT, and when I got to the airport I was unsure where to put the straps through the car seat. It is VERY simple, you just have to glance at it ahead of time. I unnecessarily made myself look foolish as I struggled to figure it out .
We gate checked the car seat while attached to the Cruizer. (We use the CARES Child Aviation Restraint System on the plane.) The telescoping handle is just like on your rolling suitcase. It lowers with the push of a button and locks in it’s lowest position. I felt safe with them tossing the Car Seat/Cruizer bundle down the slide to be loaded under the plane. The Cruizer was returned to us in perfect condition with the straps still secure.
The handle folds completely flat against the platform for compact storage. The wheels can be removed with a simple push of a button. (This feature came in handy when we loaded the car with people and luggage. Having run out of room in the trunk, we were able fit the Cruizer easily at Ella’s feet inside the car.)
When I compare this to our TravelMate for use with the Convertible Car Seat, I still prefer the TravelMate for it’s compact and the lightweight features; however the ease of steering is where the Cruizer is superior. And when compared to a framed stroller for an infant carrier car seat, the Cruizer is lighter, more durable, easier to steer, and smaller when folded. The disadvantage is there is no storage basket, but as a flight attendant I see this as a good thing for air travel. Many passengers load up the storage basket and forget to remove items when gate checking their strollers. The forgotten items often fall out and are lost. It’s better to put everything in a bag, preferably one that can attach to the handle of the Cruizer so you don’t have to carry the weight. (The Handle Pouch is a great option here.)
If you’re looking for a travel system for your infant carrier and you’re still not sure the Cruizer is the right travel system for you, check out this chart comparing the three options for infant carriers and you can see which one is best for your needs: Compare Travel Systems
My overall impression of the Go-Go Babyz TravelMate Deluxe Cruizer is that it is an excellent travel solution. I love that it can be used after the baby outgrows the infant carrier car seat. I love how easy it is to maneuver. I love that it can be used on gravel or dirt roads as well as smooth surfaces. I love that it is relatively lightweight and relatively inexpensive. I would like to see a large bag designed to fit on the handle to eliminate the need for a backpack. (That would counter the downside of not having a storage basket.)
(Disclaimer: I received the TravelMate Deluxe Cruizer Toddler Adapter Bundle as a prize for winning a photo contest on the Go-Go Babyz Facebook Page, My opinions are my own. I am not being paid for this review and I do not have affiliate links in this blog post.)
It’s always an good idea to pack plenty of food when flying, whether or not your kids are with you. The more self-sufficient you are, the easier it will be to handle interruptions in your travel day. Have you ever been on a flight that didn’t get catered as planned? What if you’re counting on purchasing something on the plane but they run out of food before they get to you? Or you don’t realize until it’s too late that the flight you’re on has no snack service? If an hour long flight becomes a 3 hour delay on the ground followed by a 3 hour flight, will you be prepared?
Here are some of the foods we find easy to pack:
1. NUT BUTTER AND JELLY SANDWICH
This old standby is always good for travel. I always pack a sandwich for every person traveling with me. It’s a perfect meal or snack any time of day. When I’m working as a flight attendant, PB&J’s are my daily breakfast since they last days pre-made and don’t require refrigeration. You can use any type of nut butter. SunButter, made from sunflower seeds, is great for those with nut allergies. I love the sandwich thins or Pepperidge Farm Goldfish Sandwich bread because they are flat already so it doesn’t matter if something in your bag smashes them. Plus the fish bread is cute and fun.
2. QUESADILLAS
My favorite thing to do is make an entire batch of quesadillas then cut in fourths, wrap in foil, and freeze. Then when it’s time to leave, grab a few and by the time you’re ready to eat them they’ve thawed. You can make quesadillas with any type of filling. Our favorites are plain cheese; cheese and bean; canned salmon mixed with canned green chili peppers and cheese; tuna melt. Get creative with your favorite ingredients. Ella calls a cheese quesadilla a pizza and loves it. I make plain cheese for her and mix it with salsa for me. Pictured above is a delicious Mexican Egg & Cheese Quesadilla from Weelicious.
Another thing that’s nice to have ready-made in the freezer is pancakes. Make them in small 2” circles and freeze. Then you can make little sandwiches with any favorite filling. Weelicious recommends cream cheese filling. You can use Nut Butters, Nutella, or even Marshmallow Fluff for a sweet treat.
Have you ever thought to make macaroni and cheese in muffin tins? I hadn’t until I saw this recipe. We tried it and they’re quite good. Make a huge batch and freeze in bags. (As you see, I’m a fan of doubling and tripling recipes so I can freeze some and cook less often.) If you’re cooking these for flights, you might consider whether or not you’ll be able to keep them cool enough to include chicken.
5. CHEESE AND FRUIT PLATE
If you try to buy a small container for fruit and cheese in the airport it costs around $8-$10. Think of how much you’ll save if you bring your own! I like to keep Starbucks’ Bistro Boxes when I occasionally buy them and reuse them for travel. Fill it with fruit, cheese, veggies…the possibilities are endless! (Just remember, nothing that could be considered “liquid or gel” is permitted by TSA. Hummus, as pictured above, is out unless you pack under 3 oz. and put it in your Quart-sized bag to declare.) Wild Garden Hummus is available in 1.76 oz. pouches and would be great for travel.
These are just a few ideas to get started. What are your favorite homemade travel-friendly foods?
**Disclaimer: I am not being paid by nor do I represent any company or product mentioned within my blog. My opinions shared are my own. At times I will use affiliate links and may earn a small percentage of the sales through those links. This helps me cover the costs of running the blog.
We like to be frugal and re-use things when possible. Here a few ideas of things to assist in your travels. We’ve found them useful and hope you do too!
1. Plastic shopping bags
It is so useful to have a stash of these in your backpack. I love to use them to collect trash as I go. I put the bag in the seat pocket and fold it down around the magazines and front of the pocket to make a trash can. This doesn’t work in all seat pockets…the 737 seat pockets are larger…but it’s perfect for some planes. Otherwise you can just stow it at your feet for easy access.
2. Bubble Wrap
 |
| Found this cute critter on Teen Scene @ Fredricksen Library |
A flight attendant friend of mine says she always packs fruit in bubble wrap and it remains bruise free. Apples, bananas, and peaches are all fruits she has successfully transported. I have yet to try it but will on my next flight.
3. Restaurant Crayons
One of our helpful readers said he always saves the crayons they get at restaurants to keep permanently in his travel bag. If you run out of things to color on, just color on the air sickness bag and make a hand puppet!
4. Play-Doh (it’s not free, but you probably have some in the house)
Another reader favorite, Play-Doh is great for entertaining when traveling. You can bring a few small cookie cutters. We like to use Littlest Pet Shop Animals to make footprints. A few things to remember: Play Doh is considered “liquid or gel” by the TSA and can only be brought on in containers sized 3 ounces or less. You need to pack these in your quart-sized bag along with your other liquids to declare at the checkpoints. One last thing, be responsible and don’t let the Play-Doh get smashed into the seats and carpet. This is where that plastic bag comes in handy. As pieces fall and get dirty, just pick them up and toss them in the trash bag.
 |
| I have been lucky on occasion and found small Play-Doh Kits such as this one. With a play mat and fun tools it’s a great travel item. Found this one at Amazon. |
5. Kleenex
 |
| Directions for this and many other great preschool crafts at http://easypreschoolcraft.blogspot.com |
This ghost craft is just one of the many things you can do with a Kleenex. What else can you and your child think of? It doesn’t have to be a permanent creation. Your hands can be puppets with the Kleenex on top for hair; you can twist it into a bow/mustache for a silly game of Villian (mustache), Hero (bow tie), Heroine (hair bow)…Use your imagination and you can have lots of fun! Remember to keep and “indoor voice” while locked in a tube with 180 others. 🙂
 |
| An over-tired child is a crabby child. |
Getting proper sleep when traveling is hard for all of us. Children are especially sensitive to the change in sleep environments. A sleep-deprived child usually equals a grouchy, fussy, or uncooperative child. So what do you do? Irene Gouge, Sleep Consultant & Faciliator, from Loving Lessons was kind enough to speak with me over the phone to give her advice. Here are the things she shared with me:
 |
KNOW YOUR CHILD
Understand your child’s individual needs and personality. Is he tempermental, sensitive, or flexible? Each child in your family may be different. It is important to identify his needs so you can, when possible, arrange how and when you travel to have the best outcome for your child.
If you have a child who is particularly sensitive to his environment, it might work best to host the holiday celebrations at your house so that he can continue to get the best rest possible. This is not always an option, so here is what you can do when you DO have to leave home:
KEEP THE CHILD’S ROUTINE BUT MODIFY THE SCHEDULE
You will probably have to shift the actual times that your child is used to doing things, but keep the same routine. If your routine is dress after waking, breakfast next, mid-morning snack, nap after lunch, then stick to that pattern. Children are more agreeable when they know what to expect in the day. Keeping the basic routine will help them be flexible in the other activities throughout the day.
Plan ahead when heading out for the day. If your child is used to a mid-morning snack then bring one with you in case it’s not part of the plan for the rest of the group. If he needs a particular stuffed animal or blanket to nap, bring it with you.
Keep the bedtime ritual the same. If your child is used to the routine of bath/brush teeth/story/bed, then do that when away from home too. Repeating the pattern he is used to will help him feel comfortable.
RE-CREATE THE SLEEPING ENVIRONMENT
Do what you can to create the sleep environment your child is used to. A favorite book, pillow, or blanket will bring familiarity to an unfamiliar setting. Black sheets can be hung to darken the room for a more comfortable sleep. I bring black out curtains and clothespins to hang them.
 |
| A cozy blanket from home made this hotel stay more comfortable. |
Let older children pick out a special travel pillow or blanket that is used only when you’re away from home. It helps them adapt when they feel involved in the decision making.
When you’re doing something unique to your stay away from home, (like having milk and cookies with Grandma before bed, or all the kids/family sleeping in one room together), explain that this is something special for this one trip. Remind them that when you return home the sleep arrangements and patterns will return to normal. Returning home to your regular rules will go more smoothly when kids understand the change in rules was temporary.
ADVOCATE FOR YOUR CHILD
Sometimes family members with the best intentions stand in the way of your child getting the rest he needs. You need to advocate for your child. Everyone benefits when your child is well rested. A well rested child is always less fussy. (Or maybe I should say an over-tired child is almost always fussy.) Your family will have more quality time with the child if he is not tired. If your child normally takes naps but skips it when traveling, be sure to plan for an earlier bedtime. This is not always easy with many adult activities planned, but do what you can to allow your child to get the sleep he needs. Everyone will be happier for it.
 |
| More sleep=Happy Child! |
