1 mom + 3 Kids + airports=

[pattyT]

me scared!!

I am flying out of Boston on Jet Blue to Fort Myers in February!
kids are 11. 5 and 1 1/2
I have to carry the car seat too since I got the baby her own seat!

I am ok with the actual flights - its the airports that scare me!

if the oldest one wasn't so old I would NEVER even attempt it...


advice for a woman who has never even flown without another adult!??

 

[Traveliz]

Good luck - you know I would just really tell the 11 year old you are counting on them for this trip...at that age they can be really a HUGE help when they want to be or feel needed and you are going to need that extra pair of helpful hands. I think you are just going to have to divide and conquer...the 11 year old takes the 5 year old and you take the two year old...figure out ahead how everything is getting where its going and maybe even practice at home with the luggage. Good luck - I love adventures like this!

Liz

 

[PlaneJoy1]

Pack light, use curbside check in for baggage, only carry on the essentuals and use a stroller. The stroller basket can hold the diaper bag and provides something for the 5 y.o. to hold onto to keep him/her close by. The oldest will be of great help either pushing the stoller or holding the car seat.

Check all that you can and only carry to the gate:

-car seat (FAA approved)
-diaper bag
-stoller (diaper bags fits underneath)
-1 book bag with entertainment for the kids.
-Purse

The security check point should have a special lane for you to go through with the stoller, usually the lane that accomodates special needs passengers.

You'll do fine! Just act like you do this all the time.

 

[michvin]

Good luck - you know I would just really tell the 11 year old you are counting on them for this trip...at that age they can be really a HUGE help when they want to be or feel needed and you are going to need that extra pair of helpful hands. I think you are just going to have to divide and conquer...the 11 year old takes the 5 year old and you take the two year old...figure out ahead how everything is getting where its going and maybe even practice at home with the luggage. Good luck - I love adventures like this!

Liz

I would get some cheap walkie talkies, have the 11 year old push the one year old, and you take the five year old. The one year old in a stoller can't run from the 11 year old as the five year old can. And the walkie talkies will keep you in contact in case you get separated.

 

[jojosmom]

The 11 should be a great help, but remember 11 is still a child and deserves to be treated like a child. I am also thinking of taking my three kids to The World alone. My kids are 8,6 and 14 months. the airport doesn't scare me. But, how we do the rides in Disney? My 8 year old can sit alone in front of me, but what rides can I sit with my two boys? PS We don't do anything scary.

 

[elan]

We use bungee cords and strap the car seat to a portable luggage carrier. Much easier rolling it around than carrying it. I would also use a stroller for the toddler and diaper bag. Gate check the stroller. For your luggage I would practice at home, making sure I could carry handle it all. (maybe you could mail some of your stuff a head of time). Good luck.

 

[isla bonita]

Gate check a carriage so the baby will be safe in there carriage at all times. Allow th oldest child to push carriage that way you can have both hands to do the rest you will need them. I check mt carseat but if you choose to bring it on the plane you will be down one hand or if it can be some how strapped onto the stroller. Good luck

 

[JulieEck]

Good luck with doing this! If you are taking the car seat onto the plane, maybe you can find something that I've seen before - just can't remember where! Sorry that I'm not more of a help. It was some sort of straps/contraption that allows you to strap the car seat onto your back like a backpack. It's definitely something I would consider. DH and I carried a car seat (convertible) on a plane once (also had dd in a gate checked stroller) and it sure was difficult carrying that thing around. It did have a built in handle at the top of the seat, but it's heavy and big!

 

[grlpwrd]

I have travelled with my 5 kids in tow and it is a challenge, but the biggest piece of advice I have for you is be prepared. Be prepared for those slow times waiting for the airport, be prepared for those times they are hungry for a snack during the flight, be prepared for bathroom breaks, for their ears popping (take lollipops, candy, or train them to yawn, etc.), keep them busy, and so on.

Also, be sure to get a map of the airport so you'll know where to go. I usually do this online and print it out so I can stake out the bathrooms/baggage claim/parking/car rental/etc. and be sure to tell them what place to meet if they get lost.

Don't hesitate to tell the airline agent at check-in or the one's at the gate that you will need extra assistance.

Here's a website to check out for more tips: http://www.flyingwithkids.com/travel_tips.htm

GL!

 

[My2Cinderellas]

the biggest piece of advice I have for you is be prepared. Be prepared for those slow times waiting for the airport, be prepared for those times they are hungry for a snack during the flight, be prepared for bathroom breaks, for their ears popping (take lollipops, candy, or train them to yawn, etc.), keep them busy, and so on.

Yep! in this case, be over prepared with snacks, drinks, quiet toys etc. I have flown with 2 kids by myself several times, the first was when they were 2 and 6 mo. Having an 11yo will be a huge help in the airport, and on the trip in general.

I am so glad to hear you are buying the 1yo a seat, it will make things much much easier on the plane. The downside is hauling the carseat on, but it can be done. I checked everything I could, the diaper bag was also my purse for the plane ride, I had ID, credit card and cash in my jeans pocket where I could get at it easily. I stowed the diaper bag under the double stroller (gate checked), hooked my thumbs under the car seat and held it in place as I pushed the stroller. You have the advantage of an extra set of hands, and I love the idea of using a rolling luggage cart for the seat. Each of the older kids can have a backpack with their entertainment in it.

Take advantage of the family bathrooms if available, they are a godsend with a stroller and little ones.

Good luck!

 

[chris7]

We just got back from our trip with a 6 and 3 year old. We brought our double jogging stroller and it made the airport so much easier. The girls were in the stroller with their snacks or whatever else was needed to keep them content. One parent pushed the stroller, the other dealt with the luggage. Your oldest is old enought to push a stroller and you could deal with the luggage, boarding passes, check-in.... In big crowds, like at airports, it saves my sanity to have them contained (in the stroller) so I'm not constantly working to keep an eye on them.

 

[Stacerita]

My main bit of advice would be to stay calm and keep focus no matter what. Its easy to get flustered in situations like that. But you have your 11 year old there to help you. You will be fine. My sister in law had to take a 23 month old and a 6month old solo to Japan. She also needed to change planes before her final destination. She needed to manage a double stroller, car seat, diaper bag for 2 plus carryons and all. Her and the two kids were moving to Japan for a year to accompany my brother and had to do the move solo. It was a lot for her to do especially with that being her first time on a plane at all. (plus she was very young and naive) But she handled it. Because she remained calm and didn't let anything get to her. It was somehting she had to do so she did it. I will say Good luck to you though.

 

[all4fun]

Lots of great advice from the pp's. I just thought I would share this link to another site I found: http://flyingwithchildren.blogspot.com/

It's written by a former flight attendant who travels frequently with her children. hth!