Next ? -- Long flights and kids

[Bichon Barb]

Here is my next question. Has anyone ever done really really long flights with kids. Now we are thinking about taking the kids with us to Malaysia . They will be 10 and almost 8 when we travel. This could be quite an opportunity for them, and quite a headache for us. LOL. We really need to think this through.

 

[holycow]

My DD was 21/2 when she flew to Ha. with me during 911.(we were trying to get home) it was a VERY long flight but you know what saved me was the DVD player that you rent in the airports!
What an absolute life saver!!!!!! also Cd players (or tape player) with their favorite music...good luck! they are 10 and 8 so they know what they like and can bring stuff that is fun for themselves to do.


Oh, BTW there is always Dramamine! LOL (J/K!)

Holycow

 

[Bichon Barb]

How many hours did it take to get from Hawaii to home? DVD players in airports? Never heard of them.

About the dramamine. A family member of mine gave her DD cough medicine when they had to do a 16 hour drive. LOL.

 

[CEDmom]

We flew from Hong Kong to Chicago with DD when has was 10 months old. Our doctor advised us to give her 1/4 tsp of benedryl before takeoff to help with pressure in the ears. It worked like a charm and she slept most of the flight.

Nowadays many airlines have individual TV monitors on seat backs (especially on iternational flights). These are great to keep you entertained. A CD player and hand held games are also good. Also try to get them started on a long book at home that they can read on the plane.

You might also want to check out the ads in the back of travel magazines. I've seen some neat things for kids there.

Of course it goes w/o saying to have them wear really comfortable clothes and pack lots of snacks.

 

[deadheadbelle]

DH & I flew from Cincinnati to London with DS when he was almost 3 (I was 10 weeks pregnant). We just packed all kinds of stuff he liked that didn't make noise. My nephew is 11 & I know he could play gameboy for 24 hours straight if given the opportunity.

 

[Bichon Barb]

Thanks guys. If we do take them, there's always that homework that they'll be getting that will keep them busy.

We are talking 26 hours of travel to get there. The flight we are looking at leaves NYC at 9:20 p.m., so they could sleep on the way to Frankfurt. Then it is a long flight to Singapore.

When I was in elementary school, I went twice to Germany. That is only a six hour time difference, and it really screwed me up the first couple of days.

 

[Bichon Barb]

I took the boys on flights when they were infants and toddlers, but sheesh, they were to Florida or Atlanta! You guys have guts!

 

[tink85]

Now, my poor french teacher...true, all 20 of us were 16 to 18 years old but on a flight to Paris from NYC?? I'm surprised she didn't kill us! Eventually, she made us all do homework (if we'd bothered to bring any ) or we had to talk in French if we insisted on not sleeping (which is the traditional thing to do?? Who sleeps on their way to France for the first time??) Anyways, eventually we all calmed down to books and CDs and such. That DVD player is an awesome idea! We had a good movie showing on our plane though.

 

[tiggerlover]

My 7 year old DS is a seasoned flier. He was born in Italy and has travelled across the Atlantic 10 times (4 mo., 16 mo., 2 yrs., 2-3/4 yrs, 5 yrs. and 7 yrs.) and most recently he flew a short haul from Italy to England. I always travel with Tylenol, just in case as well as a well packed backpack. The first rule of thumb is that whatever comes with us needs to fit in DS's own backpack and he has to be able to carry it. Game Boy is a lifesaver and what I like to do is put the Game Boy away a few weeks before the trip so that it is like getting an old friend back. Another possibility is to purchase a new game and wrap it to be opened on the flight. We bring a couple of books, a deck of cards and a journal. Part of DS missing school is writing about his travels. Most recently when we went to London he was required (by his teacher) to write at least two sentences a day, so what DS decided to do was to write his sentences and then draw pictures from our travels. He also brought along some Scotch Tape and he taped in his plane tickets, theater stubs, maps etc. from where we visited and then he got to present it to the class on his return. Pack a change of clothes for everyone because you never know when a spill may happen. This past July I flew alone with DS from Italy to NY and by accident DS spilled a whole cup of milk all over me....thank goodness I had a change of clothes (all the way down to the underclothes) as I would have smelled like sour milk by the time I landed. Also, pack snacks that the children like as some times the airline food is less than desirable. Before flying check with your airlines to see if you can request a special children's meal, a lot of times they are better than the adult meals. That is all I can think of right now, if I think of more I will post again. And if you have any specific questions you think I can help with feel free to PM me.

 

[amid chaos]

I wrapped a bunch of little stuff....and gave them to the kids thru out the trip...what kid doesnt like presents?...each little gift kept them busy for awhile...but dont let on you have more and save them for extreme need.

 

[Yzma and Kronk]

Bichon Barb: I have done the long haul South Pacific trip many times.
One question: is there a specific reason you are travelling to Europe, then Singapore, then to Malaysian? I would actually suggest looking into going west to get east. It's much easier on you where jet-lag is concerned and the timing for your body clock is better.
It is also much easier to travel on long flights when it is dark.
Most Asia/Pacific flights leave in the early evening. You get dinner, then the first of two or three movies come on (by now the sun has set) and you fly throughout the night. You have been up all day, so your body clock says it's time to sleep, which is what most people do. Get your kids up early the day you leave, and by the time they get on the plane they will be tired. The game boys and DVD players work well, but as mentioned previously try to book an airline that has seatback TV's (I believe Singapore Airlines does) Some even have electronic games, so ask your travel agent or check the airlines website for amenities on board. A few hours before arrival, the flight attendants wake you up to prepare you for breakfast. You eat, they clean up and you are there!
The more direct flight the better. Each additional stop or change of planes will make it harder for you and the kids.
Make sure they drink lots of water (not soda) on board to keep them hydrated (and happy!)
Another tip, once you arrive you will be very tired, try to stay up the remainder on the day. Have an early dinner and go to bed around the same time as you normally do. This is the hardest part, and your kids will probably want to sleep before, but if you are able to stay up and get your regular nights sleep, you will be OK to start the next day on schedule.
Have a great trip!

 

[Bichon Barb]

I've been on travelocity, orbitz, expedia and singapore airlines' websites. I always plug in Syr to Pen, and the have always come up Syr to NYC to Eur to Sing to Pen!? I need to check with a travel agent.

Well, my parents came over for dinner tonight, and we discussed the trip. They are happy to come and live at our house for the week. So, it looks like we are going it alone. I've left the boys for an entire week twice before (business in Stockholm and Cancun -- Cancun, tough huh, lol), but for some reason, this time I'm having a bit of hard time with it. Probably because of the destination being so foreign to me!

Thanks again for everyone's help.

 

[Mishetta]

You just received great advice from Yzma and Kronk! Whenever I traveled to Europe, I also made sure I stayed up till it was bed time (even tho it was really hard to do) & I adjusted so much faster to the time difference when I did that!

Have a great time!

 

[shortbun]

I agree- travel west to get to Malaysia! Try through Detroit or Chicago. Great that the kids don't have to endure the long flight! What are U going to do to keep busy?! I love the book "How to Overcome Jetlag" by Argonne National Labs. It's the best! Eye shades, slippers, fresh water, comfy clothes and
a blanket are a necessity, I take ear plugs too! Have fun, sounds
like a cool trip!
mimi