It's not easy traveling with small children. There, I said it. My children are not of age to use Benadryl or Dramamine, so we must resort to the old fashioned methods: tranquilizer darts. (Just kidding about that last part).
In all honesty, I do not want to deter anybody from traveling with their children. My goal is to simply share the knowledge I have gained over the past few months of moving about the world. If we were caravaning across the country, the person in the lead would probably let you know if there was something you needed to be aware of ahead of you. For example, a herd of deer, a police officer at the top of the hill, a cow with 3 legs, etc. Consider this blog entry as the caravan of travel.
My family has been blessed to be able to visit many different places over the past few months. In fact, during that time we've been on planes (2 international, 6 domestic), trains (subways, passenger and bullet - oh my!) and automobiles (bus rides and long distance road trips). I must apologize for having absolutely no information regarding helicopter or boat excursions. For that you must look elsewhere. For the majority of these trips I was operating as a pregnant, single parent for a 2 and 4 year old.
At the risk of sounding cheesy, I have to tell you that the first and most important thing to bring with you is a GOOD ATTITUDE. Typically, your children will follow your example. If you are stressed, short and snappy, than your children will pick up on those cues and respond in kind. The opposite remains just as true. Along with a POSITIVE MENTAL ATTITUDE (PMA) make sure you check your expectations. EXPECT for your children to have meltdowns. There will be at least one meltdown per child. It's best to prepare yourself before you go someplace, so when it does happen, you won't stress out so much. Personally, on the international flights, I allowed 5 meltdowns total. I figured with 24 hours of travel I would be content with each child having two and generously allowing myself one hair pulling moment. (For the curious... we only had one screaming, steaming toddler on the last trip. HUGE success in my book!)
WHEN TRAVELING BY PLANE:
* I HIGHLY recommend using curbside check-in, especially if somebody is dropping you off at the airport. This way, you can leave the kids in their car seats strapped in the car while you stack your luggage on the sidewalk. When everything else has been removed, take out the kids and their seats. Have the driver give your children the stare-down while you check in and check your bags and seats. This way, you don't have to carry 30 bags and keep an eye on your children all while the flight attendant behind the check-in counter smiles and pretends chaos is not reigning all around her as she casually gives you your boarding passes.
* What NOT to Wear - I read somewhere once that you should wear shoes AND socks for when you go through security so you don't have to walk around in bare feet and catch some rare fungus. It sounded good, so there you have the first tip. "They" (presumably experts)also say to wear loose, comfortable clothing when traveling. "They" obviously are not pregnant and wearing maternity clothes when they pass through air port security. I chose to don a maternity dress which, apparently is synonymous with "threat to national security." Either that or the TSA agent gets 2 for 1 credit when they frisk a preggo lady. Here is the truth of the matter: wear loose, comfy maternity clothes and you WILL be felt up. Now, the choice is yours: slightly less flattering stretchy pants and shirt that does not conceal all that it should OR getting to 2nd base with random strangers twice within 3 hours.
The Carry-On: I've tried many variations of this, but I found the most effective method is to bring the least amount possible on the plane with you. I can actually hear some people cringing at that statement. Please don't skimp on the necessities, just realize that, even though your children showed great responsibility in packing their individually monogrammed backpacks, at the end of the day YOU will be the one carrying those bags. SO, when your kids want to bring Woody and Buzz, just bring Woody (he's smaller). If they love matchbox cars, by all means bring them! But only as many that will fit in a small snack sized ziploc bag. Other than that, you know what will entertain your children best - that part is entirely up to you. Here are a few other crucial carry-on items: plastic grocery bags. They are compact and light-weight and the neighboring passengers will be grateful you brought them when you have a poop filled diaper with no place to throw it away. An extra set of clothes for each child. If you don't bring them I GUARANTEE you will wish you had. It's only when you don't that you'll have an inexplicable stomach virus causing projectile vomit or a diaper explosion that rivals Old Faithful. If you DO remember to pack a change of clothes, you won't ever need them. I can't explain it, but it's true. Headphones for your child. Because ear buds are impossible to keep in a toddler's ear and the ones they hand out on planes are made for adults. Finally, snacks. Nothing occupies children like some good, old-fashioned junk food. And you never know what kind of food they will serve on the plane. You don't want to be stuck with two hungry young'uns and a steaming bowl of seaweed soup.
One more note on flying internationally... I prefer to schedule flights at night. Though it may not seem like it at the time, the children WILL eventually fall asleep. Any part of a long trip that is occupied by sleeping will be the most peaceful time of your travel day. Also, it's just easier to keep your child occupied for 5 hours on a plane opposed to 10.
Next time on Mary's Clever Word Smithery I will continue the discussion of traveling with children by automobile and train. Don't worry, I won't be quite as verbose next time!
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