Partners In Learning Blog Team

Partners In Learning Blog Team
Blog Team

Tuesday, August 23, 2011

TRAVELING ACROSS COUNTRY WITH THREE SMALL CHILDREN IN TOW: LADY, ARE YOU KIDDING?

Pack several small, easy to stash activities that can entertain your child on the airplane and at the airports.
Here are some suggestions for airline travel with young children:


• Allow plenty of time at the airport for check-in, and connecting flights. Remember how much longer it takes to achieve anything with kids in tow and apply the same formula to your travel plans.

• Ask if your flight is full when checking in. Some assistants will block out the seat next to you in a less full flight or offer you the option of seating next to a vacant seat. (Recent experience has taught me that airline flights are completely full, though it is still worthwhile to ask.)

• Get on the plane first and off the plane last to get a better chance of assistance from cabin crew.

• Take a set of reins or a harness for a toddler so that you can let him walk around the terminal - but still keep him close at hand.

• Pack a small bag with just one diaper, a few wipes, a perfumed nappy sack and some rash cream if needed and place it in the seat pocket in front of you.

• Some planes have a larger bathroom at the very rear of the plane with a correspondingly larger change table. Wait for this to become free if you have a larger baby to change, as airplane change tables are small.

• Always test the temperature of food heated in the aircraft galley before you give it to your child. If is often way too hot!

• Disposable bibs are a great idea for infant mealtimes on board an airplane.

• Ask for bottles and meals to be warmed well in advance of when you need them. Airline personnel do not have a microwave and have to heat using hot water in the galley. This takes time.

• Wrap toys to add to their entertainment value. Leave one end of the package open so that you can show the 'gift' to security staff if they ask you to.

• Bring toys out one by one - get maximum use from them, pack them away, then move on to the next toy.

• Get older children to carry their own special tote with basic entertainment contents - stickers, coloring book, reading books, cassette tapes, dolls or cars etc. KidsTravelHappy.com sell a great travel toy tote that's good for this and also fits neatly under the seat in front for take-off and landing!

• Take an extra-large purse as a carry on. That way you can fit in extra things like toys, snacks, wipes and a fresh diaper. (Since your purse is not counted as a carry-on, this is a really good idea.)

http://www.flyingwithkids.com/travel_tips.htm


Cecii’s drawing of her parents riding on the airplane.  (According to the rendering, both parents are still smiling!)
Katherine Generaux, Community Inclusion Director

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