Theresnothinglikeadame
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About to fly from the US to Spain with a 17 month old and a 5 year old. Never flown with them before and super freaked out about it. So many videos of people angry at kids on planes and I don't want to be that mom with the screaming child (even though I know it might be inevitable and I can only do so much)
Any advice from parents that have flown before? I have tablets with their favorite shows, kids ear plugs (though I don't know if they will be able to stand that haha), fidget spinners, light up gadgets, work books for the 5 year old, and snaaaaaacks.
What else did you do or bring or any good mantras to help with the anxiety? :: Sigh::
Also, I know it's not the right meme, but that I seriously how I feel right now ?
purgruv
As a steward, I would recommend not going alone to take care of your kids during air travel. It seems like any simple task that is otherwise easily manageable at home is magnified immensely when flying. Just the management of the required baggage for 2 kids alone seems unsurmountable whilst still having to deal with your infants.
biggaymeow
Snacks, toys, Benadryl?
GettingPaidToPoop
Don't have kids.
jackhawkbolt
Got it, just fire up the Delorean and undo that then.
MrsUnderstoop
I used to get mine little back packs. I would put color wonder markers and coloring book, snacks that they pick (and some I picked) and a drink. They felt big carrying their own stuff. It worked out well.
Theresnothinglikeadame
I love this!!
Captain77
Phernagan is okay to give to kids. Have travelled with out it. It was horrible because I held my 10 month old the whole time. Also if people are getting angry with you f them, it's hard being on a plane as a parent, because you feel judged the whole time. I regularly say to parents " you are doing a great job, keep it up you are doing what you can, do what is best for you and the kids, if you need help there are people here who are willing to help even if you need just a 10 Min break."
SuperUse
I saw a video todayod a stressed passenger opening the emergency doors mid-flight. Don't do that.
Ja5per
Theresnothinglikeadame
joeyjojojuniorshabbadoo
NyQuil for the children, 1.5 ounces each. They’ll sleep like…well babies. Lol, don’t give Nyquil to kids.
RenaldoMooon
“EarPlanes” ear plugs will allow your little ones to hear you but keep their ears from depressurizing quickly & hurting. Insert before takeoff, remove at cruising altitude; reinsert 45 min before landing. Cheaper at drugstore than at airport.
icantmakeupacoolusername
Lollipops are great for when you are ascending and descending.
chickensaladonsaltbagel
1. If the 17 m/o is a lap child, try to arrange an empty middle. Extra space goes a long way. Change seats, call the airline, talk to the gate agent. 2. You’re a conscientious parent and respectful of other passengers—that’s the most you can do. Your kids won’t be perfect. Be kind to yourself when they’re acting like…kids. It’s okay. 3. Usually a flight attendants or two will offer to help. Take them up on the offer. Ask them to watch the kids while you go to the bathroom by yourself.
chickensaladonsaltbagel
4. You said you have plenty of toys, activities, books. Take them out one at a time. Give them time with each one. Put a toy away when you take another out, use it again later. It’s a marathon, not a sprint. 5. I’ve flown dozens of times with my kids (about the same ages as yours), NEVER given them drugs. Seems like a terrible idea. 6. Again, don’t worry about other passengers. It will only cause you stress. At least three (drunk) adults on your flight will be more annoying and poorly behaved.
Theresnothinglikeadame
This is so lovely and helpful, thank you 😌
Idontevenwanttosignupjustletmelurk
Something to suck on to help them pop their ears from the change in altitude
PandaGunit
All the snacks! And screen time. Cocomelon saved my cross country trip last month. I didn't even care that my kid spent most of the flight glued to the tablet. It was so much better than the prior trip without tablet. I even read some of a book!
euphoricopportunity
Chewing gum to help relieve pressure for the five year old - vigorous chewing to open up their eustachian tubes and relieve pressure.
TheBigMcC
Wrap (in colouring book or comic paper) a v small toy up for each of them for every hour. Spend time unwrapping them and describing the comic etc. They’ll play with the toy for a while or colour the comic. When they’re bored it’s almost time to get out the next kinder type toy. Good luck
friendswithfire
A binky for the little one (it’ll help with ear popping) and tire them out before you board. Like wake em up early, get to the airport early, and run em around a BUNCH so they’ll sleep for a good while
ButtplugHandGrenade
Isn't that what checked bags are for?
chickenoodlesoup
If you do give them something to help them sleep, like Dramamine, my suggestion is to make sure your 5 year old has a pull-up on even if they are completely potty trained (my son would sleep like a rock through long car rides, and even though he had been fully potty trained & accident-free for years, he'd wet himself every time).
ikeseff
Chloroform
endyrr
Take advantage of the pre-boarding to secure their seats and your baggage. You will need extra time whether you have a booster seat to set up or not. Try to keep their routine as much as possible (snacks, naps, etc), as well as high-value treats, toys, and objects. Also, they will act out. They're in an unusual situation, out of their comfort zone, it'll happen. Your job isn't to stop that but to help them through. The attendants will help with snacks and drinks, maybe let you take walks too.
donsterkay
St Josephs Heroin for children.
bj52398
Morphine. Get a drip and keep it flowing.
sjbrooksy7447
Valium before take off and let the person next to u deal with it? JK Just ask everyone around you to please be patient and you will try your best to keep the kids chill. Or they can be dicks and you'll make their flight hell.
LongtimeLurker7817
Tablets, headphones that plug in, work books, coloring stuff, snacks, my wife made laminated workbooks with velcro pictures for busywork 1)
LongtimeLurker7817
favorite stuffed animals, you have the right idea. It's your job to keep them busy. We've flown with a 2 and 3yo on 4 hour flights before 2)
LongtimeLurker7817
I would not want to fly longer than that but hopefully they'll sleep a bit. The plane may have movies to keep them busy for a short while?
OrkenMork
fermented apple cider......
SpaceWeatherMan
Yes. Melatonin. Snacks. Pillows and blankets.
Laylah77
No sugary snacks or caffeinated drinks.
notabotandnotnotabot
Melatonin is great, but the first time we have it to our kids in an airplane, they got confused and frustrated and cried hard for like 5-10 minutes but then we're out for hours. Do it before everyone else is sleeping.
HommeDeFeu
We used ear numbing drops, that made it a lot easier on the young ones since it's hard to explain how to pop their own ears.
an0therthr0waway
The first time I flew somewhere with my parents, they gave me a pack of Juicy Fruit...
HommeDeFeu
Ahhh, I think you had teeth then, correct. Cause that would work for older children but 1 or 2 years old won't know not to swallow it. They might choke on it.
an0therthr0waway
I was 7-8, and @op's older one is 5.
HommeDeFeu
Yeah mines older than 8 now but he just wanted to start trying gum around 9. I was ok with him not wanting to try it. Also when he was around 6-7 I finally got him to copy me as i pinched my nose closed and blew out my ears. The super surprised look on his face for the next couple years was awesome. If I'm honest, it still feels weird and neat every time I do it.
glovelyday
Be sure baby is hungry at takeoff. As the plane lifts off give them a bottle. The sucking will cause their ears to pop and keep them from crying over the pressure. Let the older one chew gum or suck a lollipop. A dose of Nyquil isn't a crime. You don't say what time, but hopefully near bed time.
OverThunkTheRadiation
I suggested the NyQuil to a guy at work when they were asking about the same thing and everyone looked at me like I was a child abuser. Like, it’s fine. Really. Not everyday, obviously!
donkeystothecastle
Kids NyQuil, just in case that wasn't assumed. We use melatonin for our kids sometimes.
IamtheAIyoushouldfear
This, but I find landing is harder on the ears than takeoff.
[deleted]
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oprahslovechild
Ja5per
WHAT?
Krossis
THEY SAID THAT LANDING IS HARDER ON THE EARS THAN TAKEOFF
Ja5per
WHY WOULD YOU LAND ON THE EARS? OR DID YOU SAY LANDING GEARS?
Krossis
THEYRE SELLING CHOCOLATE!
TLJay
Be friendly with the flight attendants when you get on and let them know this is the first time your kids are traveling. Explaining that nothing can be done to quiet a crying child is already part of their job, but the heads up likely helps and they'll intervene on your behalf with anybody who has emotional control issues about your kids.
purgruv
The is bang on, and as a steward it’s always good to know any issues a passenger might have before takeoff.
TLJay
Also, they always sound louder to you than they do to everyone else.
somebodythatyouusetoknow
First, I hope you bought a seat for your youngest. It is 100% worth the money. Second, feed the baby during take off. The act of swallowing will release the pressure in the ears. Have a sippy cup for the older one. Fly with them in their pajamas. You want them comfy and warm. Planes get cold. Look into a CARES harness for the 5yo. It makes the airplane seat like a car seat so the kid will be more likely to sit still. You won't be able to use the tablets during take off. Don't give them to ->
somebodythatyouusetoknow
The kids until AFTER the seat belt sign goes off or you'll have kids crying for their tablets. Invest in kid headphones so they can watch the in-flight entertainment. Also, I used to wrap a gift for each kid and give it to them once we were settled in our seats. Gives them something to focus on before the entertainment is turned on. Change the diaper before boarding. Get pullups for the plane. Get pullups for your 5yo. You don't want to deal with an accident in the air. But, pack a change of ->
somebodythatyouusetoknow
Clothing for you and your kids in the carry on just in case. Cloth carries can be worn through the metal detector so you can baby wear through security. Don't be ashamed to put a leash on your 5yo. Airports are big and kids are fast. Get a cute backpack looking one and let your kid pack it themselves. There is an amazing forum on baby center called traveling with children that is run by a flight attendant. I got so many good tips from there:
somebodythatyouusetoknow
https://community.babycenter.com/groups/a10635/traveling_with_children . Good luck OP. You've got this mama.
gtotherizzle
Benadryl. You won't even care what the rest of the passengers are bitching about.
livurz
See, I tried something similar with whiskey when the kids were teething... but no matter how much I drink, the crying keeps waking me up!
gtotherizzle
Also pointing out the asshole passengers is an awesome learning moment for your kids....See the way that waste of oxygen is treating the flight attendant Tommy? He deserves to be escorted off, at cruising altitude.
gtotherizzle
Seriously though, the way "adults" throw tantrums on flights....no one cares about what a kid does anymore
ElTee86
My kid had the opposite reaction to Benadryl. Boundless energy on a red eye. Oof
gtotherizzle
I meant for @op