flying with kids?

[andee]

Hi Everyone,
I will be going to Florida next week with my husband and kids, and this is the first time we are taking the kids with us. I am a little nervous about flying with them and both my hubby and I don't like to fly (the flight is about 3 hours). I am thinking they will be so excited ( they are 8 and 3) but I am still worried. Also worried about the rest of the trip and everyone's health, know what I mean? Can anyone offer some insight or experience or advice??? Thanks</font>

[purpleteacher]

Kids are easy to travel with, usually. If they have trouble with motion sickness, give them their usual medication and make sure you bring things for them to quietly play with. A headset, small games, coloring books, stuffed animals, etc... Let the kids pack their own small carry on and pack some snacks for them too. If they get to help pack for the trip, they will be more excited about the plane.


Something else you can do to make the experience "educational" is in the days before the trip, take the kids to the library and check out books on airplanes and teach them about how planes move through the air. I am all about making a learning experience out of everything, including the small things.


Another idea is to contact your airline ahead of time and see if they have any special things they can do to help make your flight easier - such as preferencial seating (if you seats have not been previously assigned) or maybe a little "kit" for the kids (some airlines give kids *wings* that they pin on their clothes). If you would feel more comfortable sitting at the front part of the plane, then call ahead and request that type of seating or if you think your kids would feel safer by the bathroom - then consider that too. Calling the airline is the best way to find out what types of accomodations can be made for a family traveling together by plane for the first time.


You will have a great trip! Flying can be stressful and nerve-wracking, but I have always found the end result of the "shortened travel time" well worth all of my panic attacks getting me to the airport and back [img]smileys/smilies_02.gif[/img]

[andee]

Thank you, purple teacher! Anyone else?

[crimgoddess]

Ditto what purpleteacher said- your flight is pretty short, so chances are there will be so much to do, and since your kids are new to flying they will probably be too excited to get bored. Hopefully they can get a tour of the cockpit.....it's actually quite cool


Another hint-Pack a little emergency kit, just in case. Small non-messy snack, hand sanitizer, kleenex, wet naps (not only for sticky hands, but they are usefull if you spill something on the tray table and it gets sticky), and gum (the ears popping can be weird to a kid- itreally helps).I find that I know if I am prepared for everything, I feel a lot more confident and won'thave toworry about"oh no, what if _______ happens"- because I'll have what I need to deal with it if it does.


Have a great trip


*amber*

[samara's on tv]

I remember the first time I flew. We were going to Disney land. My dad asked if there was anything special they could do for us cause it was our first flight and they bumped us up to first class. LoL, now I doubt that's going to happen for you but if you tell them that it's your first time flying with kids I'm sure they'll do everything possible to make it a good flight. I agree with what everyone else said. Have a fun flight!


~Monica

[kate1966]

I am in a similar situation...i am actually going to Aruba in May!!!!!!!!!! I have never been to an island before so I am very excited...I am going with my sister and I have flown before but not in a few years...I am very nervous....but will have plenty of xanax on hand...so i hope that will be all that I will need...any advice or suggestions? I think the flight will be around 3 hours.......that's not too bad I guess.........i have flown with my son before but he was only 18 months so I was ok with it......more nervous about being on a plane that might crash as opposed to my emet....it wasn't so bad at the time.........but now it's the opposite........and I am scared about myself more than anything else.......................

[suze]

To be honest, plane travel is not too difficult with kids. With regards the possibility of them getting sick, if they're fine in a car, they will almost certainly be fine on a plane - air sickness is quite uncommon these days. If they are prone to getting sick in a car then it would be worth giving them standard otc travel sickness tablets, but otherwise they'll be fine.


On a 3 hours flight, the 8 year old will be fine and will be happy to take in the experience of the flight, the food, the entertainment, the toilets!!lol With the three year old, you might want to think of buying a few small things that he/she might like and wrapping them up. If the little one starts to get bored and you sense trouble, then give one of the presents. This will be a certain distraction - something to open, something new to look at /play with. Works everytime with mine!


Enjoy yourselves, that's the main thing!

[andee]

THanks everyone,
I am going to use a lot of those suggestions. We have some little "gifts" to open and I will tell the flight crew that this is their first time. We are also going on Delta song, which has TVs now. That will be cool. I will be sure to let you all know.