Any tips for flying with kids?

[RysMomma]

Leave them with grammy, take a picture of yourselves in front of the castle, text it to them and then turn your phones off for the rest of your stay

Love this! Only thing is-Grammy (both of them) are coming with us!

 

[Delilah1310]

in lieu of gum, you could also try chewy soft candy, like skittles or starbust - they get the chewing motion that helps with the ear pressure.

 

[mmbrad02]

Do laptops still have to be taken out of their bags at security? What about other electronics like leap pads?

 

[wendybeth75]

My kids are older now, but I used to make up an airplane bag and they were not allowed to look in it until we got on the plane and it took off. I would put various toys jewelry, gum, coloring books etc. Mostly from the Dollar tree or somewhere. When DS16 was about 3 I took Thomas the Tank books with the audio tape and he would listen to his books on tape. Times have changed now

 

[linzjane88]

Am I the only one who brings a little benadryl for, uh-ehm, allergies? After my most recent trip with our kids (DD6 & DD 1.5) I will *never* again be without it.

The trip there was an early flight with no layover-I was panicked about the 5+ hours straight but the kids were excited enough they did fabulously. Coming home??? I cried. It was bad enough to bring me to tears. Layover got delayed and we got delayed again on the runway. By that time it was bedtime and both girls were homesick and exhausted. They wouldn't give in and fall asleep so they just kept whimpering and flopping around like fish trying to get comfortable. I promise you I almost stood up and asked the entire plane if anyone had any benadryl or dramamine.

[ we also gatechecked our bags without realizing it and ended up with no extra diapers or a change a clothes for DD1.5 who peed thru--I fashioned a dress for her out of my oversized nursing wrap and while it looked adorable it was not ideal for the degree weather we came home to. Flight from hades.].

 

[BuzzinDownToDisney]

Am I the only one who brings a little benadryl for, uh-ehm, allergies? After my most recent trip with our kids (DD6 & DD 1.5) I will *never* again be without it.

Tried to "cure" allergies on our last flight and my almost 3 year old didnt even get sleepy eyed


One tip I read here that I liked was an hourly prize. Grab some dollar store stuff, wrap it in a colorful napkin and write the hour it will be presented on the outside barring good behavior. (10am, 11am...etc.) They'll hopefully get excited for the new present and do a little clock watching while playing with each hours toy.

 

[Crl1817]

Benadryl wires my youngest so that's counterproductive for us. (No effect on ds that I can tell and it never made me sleepy either.). I'd check before using on little ones, I think there was some deal about not using it under age two or something?

 

[mousefan73]

I have not heard of the rule requiring headphones. I just spent about fifteen minutes looking for it on southwest's website and can't find it. Does someone have a link?

Dd would not use headphones at the time of our last flight. So my choices were to keep her entertained with her iPad set low enough that the people around me said they could not hear it, or subject everyone to a few hours of screaming.

No offense PP, but some things in my mind do not need to be "an offcial" rule. I tend to base my decisions on common courtesy. Sad when common sense and courtesy are no longer used in making basic decisions.

BTW- I work for an airline. First comes safety then pax comfort. If some kid's loud ipad is causing discomfort, which can lead to some crazy pax flipping out, you then have a safety issue. So even if it's not "official" a flight attendent will interfere if they felt needed. It's all about crowd control in a space no one can leave. And there is no way one can set volume low so no one can hear. Jet engine noise is to loud, you have to turn it up loud to override it. As advice for parents. Buy cheap on ear headphones. do not use ear buds on kids!!!!

 

[mummabear]

And a change of clothes. Last trip, my very experienced 3 year old flyer (she rolls her own carry on, loves the plane, keeps herself entertained) ate a bad yogurt before the flight and projectile vomited all over the place. Thank goodness I had a change of clothes for her. What a mess! Southwest flight attendants were great!

And on that note a change of at least top for you. I too have been puked on and there is nothing like 11 hours left on a plane smelling of puke....

 

[mummabear]

I think 8mo (whenever they start crawling a ton) to 2.5 is the hardest stretch for flights with kids. After that they have such a longer attention span and get why they can't leave their seats.

Agree 100%

 

[mummabear]

Im taking my 17month old who has ants in his pants. We also got extra leg room seats. But I have no freakin clue on how to entertain him. Our flight is about 2 1/2 hours and its at 7am. Im hoping maybe he will go back to sleep but i doubt that will happen.
He won't wear headphones and he won't sit still. Any suggestions ?

We were suppose to drive to disney but thank god my DH came to his senses

Ah yes the dreaded strolling up and down the isle phase

 

[mummabear]

That is really nice of you to share your spare clothes when needed. Yup, we always pack ziplocs as well. The people around us really appreciated that we cleaned up as best as possible. Aside from one complete jerk who was sitting like 4-5 rows behind us, people were really understanding and sympathetic.

There can often be one, sometimes though you are lucky and get the opposite, one trip DD had such a projectile puke that it got the person sitting next to us, poor guy and he was so chilled not phased at all (we obviously apologised profusely)

 

[BlueFairy]

Can I suggest remembering to take drink coupons or a credit card on the flight, for yourself? I get anxious worrying about how my kids are going to behave. If I can order an adult beverage and maybe relax a little I would probably react a little better to a kid freaking out.

Oh, and ask the flight attendant for lids and straws for everyone, including yourself. Or buy a pack of those kiddie solo cups with lids just in case there aren't any on board. If a wiggly kid bumps your drink loaded tray, then it won't go in everyone's lap and all over that precious ipad.

Double and triple check your device batteries before you pack your carryon and again during layovers. Nothing is much worse than a screaming, overtired 2 year old on her way home from WDW when her favorite movie just starts to play and the laptop battery dies.

And finally, bring extra walmart baggies. It seems no matter how often the attendant goes by, I am constantly juggling empty cups, food wrappers, and new-toy packaging.

 

[jtowntoflorida]

I have not heard of the rule requiring headphones. I just spent about fifteen minutes looking for it on southwest's website and can't find it. Does someone have a link?

It's on the same page where they say not to let your child kick the seat back in front of you, to cover your mouth when you cough/sneeze, and to not put your feet (especially bare feet!) on the seat in front of you.

Not all matters of courtesy have to be official written rules. I fly primarily on Delta and Southwest. Delta does have a note about the use of headphones on their website; Southwest does not seem to. It was on a Southwest flight where all the kids were playing their devices without headphones, and it's on Delta flights where I've heard the announcements that headphones are required before.

We were recently on a beach vacation to the Caribbean. Small, quiet resort. Not a big party atmosphere. Generally, people seemed to just lay on the beach enjoying the sound of the ocean, but we'd see people listening to music (or whatever) with earbuds. We did it ourselves. Then on our last day, some clueless 20-somethings came down to the beach with a radio and played their music loudly for the whole beach to hear. I was really taken aback. What made those fools so special that they thought the whole beach should be subjected to their taste in music? Was there an official written rule about it? No...it was an issue of common courtesy.

I've been on flights with my kids when they initially refused headphones. I told them the choices were to watch with no sound or to wear the headphones. Thank goodness we're past that now...they're experienced travelers at 4 and 7 and know they need to wear headphones on airplanes, but you should really get your kids used to the idea. Even if it's not Southwest's official policy right now, it will be if they get enough complaints.

 

[Cap'nJack'sMum]

My kids were 4 and 6 the first time we went to WDW. My tip is to buy small backpacks for the kids. Let them pack what they want in them. They can pack small toys, markers, notebooks, stuffed animals. Then give them 2-3 snacks to pack. We also gave them the packets of Crystal Light or Hawaiian Punch to add to water.

This gives the kids something to plan for the trip. They're bringing things that they want to bring and you don't have to be responsible for them. You can practice with the 4yo before the trip on taking one or two things out at a time and putting them back in the bag before taking other things out.

My kids have Asperger's and they were able to handle the responsibility and they enjoyed the freedom of not being treated like babies. Then you can pack the iPad, etc that need careful handling. I would also have extra snacks and surprises for them in your bag. Visiting the Dollar Spot at Target or the Dollar Store to get cheapie surprises works great.

 

[Crl1817]

No offense PP, but some things in my mind do not need to be "an offcial" rule. I tend to base my decisions on common courtesy. Sad when common sense and courtesy are no longer used in making basic decisions.

BTW- I work for an airline. First comes safety then pax comfort. If some kid's loud ipad is causing discomfort, which can lead to some crazy pax flipping out, you then have a safety issue. So even if it's not "official" a flight attendent will interfere if they felt needed. It's all about crowd control in a space no one can leave. And there is no way one can set volume low so no one can hear. Jet engine noise is to loud, you have to turn it up loud to override it. As advice for parents. Buy cheap on ear headphones. do not use ear buds on kids!!!!

No offense but there really are much nicer ways to say things and I sure hope I'm never on a flight where you are in charge! When you have to start with "no offense" it's a clue that you are about to say something in a way that you know will offend someone but you don't care and are just going to do it anyway.

If any of my fellow passengers had said they could hear the noise I would have adjusted accordingly. And of course I would always follow a flight attendant's directions.

And, yes, of course, it is possible to set the volume so low no one can hear. That jet noise keeps the iPad noise from being heard any distance away if the volume is set low enough. Where it wouldn't work is the library with no background noise. I have been on flights where I could not hear a device on behind me or across the aisle, but the device was clearly making noise based on the noise the kid was making--good thing I don't flip out over a kid giggling--otherwise I guess the flight attendant would have had to break out the duct tape for crowd control purposes

OPer, obviously take headphones or risk being piled up on whether you have actually disturbed anyone or not.

 

[Crl1817]

It's on the same page where they say not to let your child kick the seat back in front of you, to cover your mouth when you cough/sneeze, and to not put your feet (especially bare feet!) on the seat in front of you.

Not all matters of courtesy have to be official written rules. I fly primarily on Delta and Southwest. Delta does have a note about the use of headphones on their website; Southwest does not seem to. It was on a Southwest flight where all the kids were playing their devices without headphones, and it's on Delta flights where I've heard the announcements that headphones are required before.

We were recently on a beach vacation to the Caribbean. Small, quiet resort. Not a big party atmosphere. Generally, people seemed to just lay on the beach enjoying the sound of the ocean, but we'd see people listening to music (or whatever) with earbuds. We did it ourselves. Then on our last day, some clueless 20-somethings came down to the beach with a radio and played their music loudly for the whole beach to hear. I was really taken aback. What made those fools so special that they thought the whole beach should be subjected to their taste in music? Was there an official written rule about it? No...it was an issue of common courtesy.

I've been on flights with my kids when they initially refused headphones. I told them the choices were to watch with no sound or to wear the headphones. Thank goodness we're past that now...they're experienced travelers at 4 and 7 and know they need to wear headphones on airplanes, but you should really get your kids used to the idea. Even if it's not Southwest's official policy right now, it will be if they get enough complaints.

Okay then. When people say it's a rule, I guess it's only a rule in their heads. Got it. Just like the guy on one flight who tried to insist that he had the "right" to recline his seat and also tried to loudly insist that I uninstall my dd's infant car seat so he could do that, in the process waking her up so she cried for thirty solid minutes. Love those made up rules.

And when I inquire of the passengers around me and they all say they can't hear the device they are all lying and I am an inconsiderate hooligan. Clearly analogous to blasting music on a beach.

Enough. Really. If someone has a link to an actual rule, I would like to see it. So that I can read it and be sure to follow it correctly. Otherwise, yes, I plan to have dd wear headphones on future flights because she is now old enough to cooperate. So continued flogging is pointless.

 

[StitchesGr8Fan]

Good grief. I guess common courtesy, common sense, patience, and understanding really are dying characteristics in people.

 

[Drusilla]

As my grandma always said, "Just because you can, doesn't mean you should."

As for keeping kids busy, triangle crayons are great! They don't roll off the tray as easily.

Also, I buy a headphone splitter so if my girls decide to watch the same movie they can watch it together and it saves battery life of one of the ipads.

 

[JennaDeeDooDah]

Okay then. When people say it's a rule, I guess it's only a rule in their heads. Got it. Just like the guy on one flight who tried to insist that he had the "right" to recline his seat and also tried to loudly insist that I uninstall my dd's infant car seat so he could do that, in the process waking her up so she cried for thirty solid minutes. Love those made up rules.

And when I inquire of the passengers around me and they all say they can't hear the device they are all lying and I am an inconsiderate hooligan. Clearly analogous to blasting music on a beach.

Enough. Really. If someone has a link to an actual rule, I would like to see it. So that I can read it and be sure to follow it correctly. Otherwise, yes, I plan to have dd wear headphones on future flights because she is now old enough to cooperate. So continued flogging is pointless.

For what it's worth, I would think that if you asked people if they could hear it and they said (lying) that they couldn't, then they would have no one to blame for them being uncomfortable other than themselves. Did you ask the person in front of you? The reason I ask is because I hear noises from the row behind me much clearer than those next to or in front of me. If you did and he or she said that they couldn't, there was no set rule, and no one said anything to you, I wouldn't worry too much about it, but might recommend just doing headphones next time to be safe. Personally, when we do set up a movie or something with sound of our daughter to watch, we have her wear headphones to just cut down on the chance of bothering those around us, but that's us.

That said, in case you are ever on certain airlines, there are rules for some.

Alaska air: "Headphones must be worn when using electronic devices with external speakers."
http://www.alaskaair.com/content/travel-info/on-board/onboard-guide.aspx

Delta: "Passengers using devices that make sound will be encouraged to use a headset so that others around them are not disturbed."
http://www.delta.com/content/www/en...ng-your-trip/personal-electronic-devices.html

Continental reminds passengers to remember to pack their headphones, so you can take that for what it's worth.
http://www.united.com/web/en-US/con...ertainment/personal-device-entertainment.aspx

Southwest says something similar: "Make sure you bring your powered device and headphones with you onboard so you can take full advantage of Southwest's Inflight Entertainment!"
http://www.southwest.com/html/air/products/wifi-access.html