We're heading to Washington DC on Thursday. Coach has an AMA meeting, and we had a flight voucher that was about to expire, so Sam and I decided to go along. I'm really looking forward to it. There's lots to do in DC, the metro makes it easy to get around, and it's a rare chance to stay at a really nice hotel on somebody else's dime!
I do have a few reservations, however. We haven't flown with Sam before. We opted not to buy him a ticket, so he'll be traveling on our laps. He's never been good at napping away from home, and I'm afraid we're in for exhausting travel days there and back. So I want to hear from you veteran mommies and daddies. What do I need to know about flying with a toddler?
10 comments:
I have flown with Eliza lots of times. Take lots of snacks. I think that's what kept Eliza quiet most of the time - plenty of her favorites. The first time I flew with her, she was not quite one. She got so used to flying all over this great country, it didn't faze her after awhile. But seriously, the snack thing is a winner. I'm sorry I don't have much more helpful advice! Oh, one time I think she got pretty upset and I bought her some toy in one of the airport shops, and she thought that was cool. So, fun airport prizes might work, too. You are blessed to be traveling together - I always had to fly with her alone!
Oh, ps - remember when I visited you in Provo and my flight was so early and Eliza was screaming and screaming when we woke up???? Ooooooo, I have never gotten over the embarrassment!
Diana-
We had that horrible three leg flight to Utah when Dean was almost 18 months old. Same story- not a chance of napping since he was in this new place.
We had to resort to children's benadryl for the flights there and back. We picked the longest leg of the flight and dosed him up. If you want- I can have Rob get the dosage info for ya'll. I just need Sam's weight.
Lins
Benadryl can be risky. Sometimes it wires the kid instead of putting him to sleep. If you have given him Benadryl before and it put him to sleep, them it might be your lifesaver. Plenty of toys, books and snacks is the safer way to go if you've never used Benadryl before. Also make sure the day before the trip is as normal as possible.
Try having Sam drink juice or milk during takeoff and landing, to help his ears adjust. (Do you do gum with him yet? That is also good for the up and down part.) We bring the boys' special blankets on board, for comfort and to encourage napping. You might also try the iPod or DVD/Laptop approach for entertaining him. Just think of it like church, but with a few more options.
Church is a good analogy but there's no foyer or nursing mother's room in which to make your escape. Think of all the things or tricks that sooth him or distract him when he is upset. Be positive and creative and be prepared to spoil him a little. It's his vacation, too!
Maybe you could smuggle Malcom on board and let him do the entertaining--since Sammy is so fond of him. And you could always take a trip to the lavatories and check out the garbage cans (since he's fascinated by those too) and show him how the toilets flush and the sinks work. Mini field trips--that's what I used to do with the boys. Walk up and down the isles, all the grandmas will ooh and aahhh, visit the flight attendants for some juice, check out a lavatory, walk down the next isle, visit another lavatory, return to seat, read a book, pop in a video on the laptop, look out the window, go for another mini field trip and you're there. It's never as bad as you imagine and good luck! You are gonna be so close to us. . . makes me want to go to DC too!
Wow! Thanks for all the great advice! Here's hoping that the fruitsnacks, coloring books, juice boxes, Wiggles dvds, mini-field trips, sliced grapes, games of peek-a-boo, benedryl, stickers, blankets, and rousing renditions of baby bumble bee, we'll keep him (and all the other passengers) pacified.
Shana, if you're serious about coming to DC, we'd love the company! Coach will be in meetings a lot, so Sam and I will just be taking in the sights. And that kind of thing is always more fun with cousins around! You can even share our hotel room, if you want.
Hmmm. DC is only 270ish miles from Raleigh...
PARTY AT BOSS'S HOTEL!!!!!!!
BYOB
Bring you own bedding.
Michael
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