When Toddlers loose it on the plane...

[bumbershoot]

Before packing bottles and drinks, check the airline's guidelines. A woman ahead of me had to have an agent check every bottle that she had for her baby (she had them filled with more than 3 oz). I thought that they were going to have a stroke. (it was their own fault for not reading the guidelines)

That's weird. Baby bottles are supposed to have different requirements. In what way were they checking the bottles?????

We have a Britax Marathon in our car, but it's too big to travel with, so we bought a Cosco Scenera for travel. It was only $50 and it's smaller and lighter than the Marathon

Oh yes! We had a Roundabout, nice plush soft, for the car. We got a Scenera for travel, and he LOVED it. I don't know why, it wasn't as soft, wasn't as plush...but he loved it.




We can't do the truly naughty snacks, as they contain ingredients (anything related to corn syrup) that would cause DS to be worse than you can imagine, but we work within that limitation.

DS hasn't needed a lollipop yet, but I have organic, non-corn-syrup, lollipops from Trader Joes (in the freezer aisle up with all the candies and cookies), and they are DELICIOUS. They aren't the boring old dum dums (the lollipop that led us to understand that DS cannot have anything related to corn syrup lest he become a madman), they have wonderful flavors (DS loves the pomegranate).

Normal simple chocolate works well.

I doubt they'll help a 20 month old (who, in child development terms, is NOT yet old enough to really understand what you need/want from him), but later on, the junior sized EarPlanes are brilliant for ear problems! DS didn't start out with painful ears, but on the second half of his 3rd roundtrip flight he had a problem. So now we buy him EarPlanes before a trip...drugstore.com has them, we've had to search the local pharmacies (not all have the Junior size), but last month we actually found them right at the airport giftshop.



We also use a sort-of-homeopathic concoction called Rescue Remedy for when we're tense/overly nervous/angry etc. It's a "flower essence", it's sold all over now (used to just be in natural food stores), and it's lovely lovely. Make sure the container is under 3oz, throw it in your quart sized carryon baggie, you're good to go.


Last thought! I saw a FABULOUS post by the wife of a pilot, on another board. Discussing how much safer a carseat-restrained child is, that her husband requires their son be in it and he's a pilot so she's going to follow his flight suggestions, and she also *brings earplugs* for those around her!!!!! Just go to the drugstore, buy a big container of earplugs, and pass 'em out with smiles as a "just in case". She said that people respond SO well to that and it makes them laugh.

 

[TDC Nala]

That's weird. Baby bottles are supposed to have different requirements. In what way were they checking the bottles?????

I believe a certain amount of baby formula is allowed. Regular drinks in baby bottles aren't.

Had parents with a three year old across the aisle on the last flight I took. The child refused to wear the seat belt and screamed bloody murder every time it was buckled. Mom asked the flight attendant if she could hold the child during takeoff as the child was refusing to sit in the seat and shrieked whenever he saw the seat belt. Flight attendants found out the kid was three and said no, he's got to be buckled in. The minute the attendants strapped themselves into their seats, Mom unbuckled the kid and let him stand on the floor leaning on the seat (he wasn't even sitting, and if she tried to move him out of that position he would scream) during takeoff. For landing he was also buckled long enough for the flight attendants to check and then unbuckled during landing. The kid didn't wear a belt for the whole flight. I wouldn't recommend this course of action. Let them scream, or bring a car seat, especially remembering the hole in the airplane incident not long ago.

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

You will - if they sign is off - otherwise you'll have to be seated.

I suggest you begin working on his attitude now - he's old enough to understand what you are asking of him. This is not a behavior you want to have continue anyway.

Are you serious? He's not even 2 yet???!!!
Are you a mom?

 

[Macduffy]

5. Don't stress it is three hours of your life in a large flying tin can, everyone is uncomfortable and while I don't endorse doing nothing to stop your child from crying, if you are doing everything you can and can't stop it, stressing out and or getting angry doesn't help (been there done that)

Kirsten

Thanks

 

[Macduffy]

I doubt they'll help a 20 month old (who, in child development terms, is NOT yet old enough to really understand what you need/want from him)

THANK YOU! I don't think a 20 month old is old enough to understand this either but was beginning to doubt myself
I'm going to look for those ear things ASAP (for my other DS too!)

Don't get me wrong.... DS is a very loving child who loves to be held and snuggle but is a BIG explorer and is VERY curious (which I love about him and often encourage). When we try to *ahem* limit this exploration he gets upset as he doesn't understand why. His fits have lasted about 10 minutes max which on an airplane FULL of people would seem like a lifetime.

I'm going to look at our budget and see if we can afford a seat for him and probably use the car seat in Car #2 as he does seem to like that one better.

Thanks also for the reminder on how messy chocolate can be LOL!

 

[Moomduck1]

That's weird. Baby bottles are supposed to have different requirements. In what way were they checking the bottles?

I'm sorry, I don't know. It was right after the area where you put your shoes and carryons through the detector. I was getting my shoes and carryon and I heard the attendant tell the woman that every bottle had to be checked. I think that she had about 5. They were larger bottles, and appeared to have juice in them. I didn't stick around because the husband was getting nasty about it. I think they were unscrewing them to see what was inside them.

 

[Tozzie]

I'm sorry, I don't know. It was right after the area where you put your shoes and carryons through the detector. I was getting my shoes and carryon and I heard the attendant tell the woman that every bottle had to be checked. I think that she had about 5. They were larger bottles, and appeared to have juice in them. I didn't stick around because the husband was getting nasty about it. I think they were unscrewing them to see what was inside them.

It is a paper test, where they open the bottle and hold a paper above it, if the paper changes color or something like that they don't allow the item on the plane, They did it with non prescription medicine I had that was over the 3 oz, the TSA agents put new gloves on for it and everything it is harmless.

 

[Inkmahm]

I have no children so I've never had to deal with a screaming child on a plane personally. When I hear a screaming child on take off or landing, I just assume it is their ears that hurt. I feel sorry for the kids because most of the time they are too young to understand why their ears hurt and that the pain will stop, they just know it hurts NOW. I also feel bad for the parents who can't get their kids comforted. In other words, don't worry about it. Most of your fellow pasengers will understand that kids are kids and won't be perfect angels on a plane, especially if they are in pain.

I try to have the same attitude at WDW where there are often screaming kids and parents at the end of their ropes. It isn't necessarily that the kids are badly behaved, they are just in an unfamiliar place and not on their regular schedules. Plus, if their feet hurt like mine do by the end of the day, I understand a bit of screaming.

 

[Zeebs]

I have no children so I've never had to deal with a screaming child on a plane personally. When I hear a screaming child on take off or landing, I just assume it is their ears that hurt. I feel sorry for the kids because most of the time they are too young to understand why their ears hurt and that the pain will stop, they just know it hurts NOW. I also feel bad for the parents who can't get their kids comforted. In other words, don't worry about it. Most of your fellow pasengers will understand that kids are kids and won't be perfect angels on a plane, especially if they are in pain.

I try to have the same attitude at WDW where there are often screaming kids and parents at the end of their ropes. It isn't necessarily that the kids are badly behaved, they are just in an unfamiliar place and not on their regular schedules. Plus, if their feet hurt like mine do by the end of the day, I understand a bit of screaming.

Can I just say I love you.

 

[Inkmahm]

Can I just say I love you.

Sure!

I have people ask me all the time why we go to WDW so often when we don't even have kids. Just because we have none of our own doesn't mean we don't like kids. We take nieces and nephews with us (not when they are so young to have the squirmies though) and enjoy seeing the kids of other people at the parks having fun. WDW wouldn't be Disney without kids.

Most of our flights to Orlando and back have LOTS of kids on them, all excited to be going to Disney (or excited from having been there.) They are fun to watch, even if they can be a bit TOO excited sometimes.

 

[Mouseaholic!!!]

Are you serious? He's not even 2 yet???!!!
Are you a mom?

I know I was never allowed to act this way in public. I can remember plenty of travel as a little person and I discussed this with my mother last night.

Bottom line....I was taught early to respect others in public. I don't think it's impossible - has worked for everyone in MY family.

I do remember once having trouble with my ears on take off. No screaming, I just wimpered until it was gone. That situation I remember myself - I remember my mother holding me and speaking softly to me. Other reminders were from my mother last night.


Sorry, I do expect children to behave as much as possible. Screaming because they have a seat belt looped on them or because they are in their car seat or because they don't have enough attention.....never worked with me or my cousins. It IS possible - two is old enough to understand the basics.

It worked for me and my cousins and we aren't ax murderes or bank robbers.....we turned out alright...as did OUR children.

Flame away !

 

[Macduffy]

Well I think that all kids are different! My friend has a little girl the same age as my son (18 months) and when we attend soccer practice for their siblings her little girls sits quietly in her chair eating cookies and sipping juice. My little guy runs in and joins the game LOL! Different personalities.
Kids don't scream simply because they are buckled in to a seat - they scream because they want to do something else and lack the communication skills to express it. Some kids can express better themselves at an earlier age and others, like my son, are physically stronger. Neither one is better then the other - just different.

Embrace our kids uniqueness and don't be negative towards some toddlers simply because they have different strengths I know I wouldn't say anything mean about kids who don't score goals or walked a little later in life.

Also, while I hope that DS will remember this trip I don't think he'll have any memories at the age of 20 months

 

[2binak]

I know I was never allowed to act this way in public. I can remember plenty of travel as a little person and I discussed this with my mother last night.

Bottom line....I was taught early to respect others in public. I don't think it's impossible - has worked for everyone in MY family.

I do remember once having trouble with my ears on take off. No screaming, I just wimpered until it was gone. That situation I remember myself - I remember my mother holding me and speaking softly to me. Other reminders were from my mother last night.

Sorry, I do expect children to behave as much as possible. Screaming because they have a seat belt looped on them or because they are in their car seat or because they don't have enough attention.....never worked with me or my cousins. It IS possible - two is old enough to understand the basics.

It worked for me and my cousins and we aren't ax murderes or bank robbers.....we turned out alright...as did OUR children.

Flame away !

If you can remember these instances, I HIGHLY doubt you were as young as the OP's child.

 

[Manda]

I know I was never allowed to act this way in public. I can remember plenty of travel as a little person and I discussed this with my mother last night.

Bottom line....I was taught early to respect others in public. I don't think it's impossible - has worked for everyone in MY family.

I do remember once having trouble with my ears on take off. No screaming, I just wimpered until it was gone. That situation I remember myself - I remember my mother holding me and speaking softly to me. Other reminders were from my mother last night.


Sorry, I do expect children to behave as much as possible. Screaming because they have a seat belt looped on them or because they are in their car seat or because they don't have enough attention.....never worked with me or my cousins. It IS possible - two is old enough to understand the basics.

It worked for me and my cousins and we aren't ax murderes or bank robbers.....we turned out alright...as did OUR children.

Flame away !

Heh. Not going to flame, but that whole thing just made me snort a little.

 

[Moomduck1]

Everyone has their own parenting ideas. Doesn't make them right or wrong. Obviously, the goal is to get children to behave as early as possible in life and be respectful of others.

Let's try to stick on topic and help the OP think of ways to help her child.

There are some pretty good sales around. You might be able to pick up a portable DVD cheap. That's something that will help for quite a few years. Your child won't outgrow it for a while. What about some sort of cd player (not talking ipod here but something cheaper and more child-like) that with headphones, would play stories or music? If you try it for the first time on the plane, it might be unique enough to work.

 

[Moomduck1]

Everyone has their own parenting ideas. Doesn't make them right or wrong. Obviously, the goal is to get children to behave as early as possible in life and be respectful of others.

Let's try to stick on topic and help the OP think of ways to help her child.

There are some pretty good sales around. You might be able to pick up a portable DVD cheap. That's something that will help for quite a few years. Your child won't outgrow it for a while. What about some sort of cd player (not talking ipod here but something cheaper and more child-like) that with headphones, would play stories or music? If you try it for the first time on the plane, it might be unique enough to work.

 

[Avonlady1001]

I have 2 kids, DD4 & DS9mths...DD4 has been on a plane each year since she was 1. She is an angel...toys, snacks, etc work for her & she has no prob sitting in her seat. (I'm very lucky!!) We'll see how DS is when we fly the 1st time when he's almost 1...he's mellow now, hopefully he'll stay that way a while longer.

My niece is almost 3...totally different personality. She's a screamer...screamed the whole flight down to Disney. Glad I was on a different flight. She screams every time she's in the car...nothing you can do or say to her...

Now, I think that as long as you are making every effort to calm your child & find out what he/she needs, you'll find that most people (parent's and people w/out kids, too) will be sympathetic. Sometimes kids cry & there's nothing you can do about it...I'd say 99% of parents have been there at least once.

It's the parents who simply let the kids scream and try to ignore them that will annoy people the most.

OP, you sound like you're going to be doing everything you can to keep your child occupied & calm, so don't worry so much. Everything will be fine.

 

[Alexander]

Oh--let it go! Everything will be fine--when DS was about 16 months old he screamed for 30 minutes as we started our decent. He finally threw up all of over me and the business man next to me and fell asleep. I carried a puke covered baby off the plane and made a quick dash into the bathroom. I apologized profusely to the man next to me--he said it was okay, but I know he was POed big time.

I still think at 20 months a seat for him would be best--you have to decide about the carseat, I know it doesn't work for my little guy though. He's better off in the big seat. We showed him the seatbelt sign and told him that the pilot said he has to have it on. He's not always happy about having it on, but as he complains, he looks up to see if the light is on and then just sighs (he's now 3 y/o).

 

[winterman]

Macduffy, as I recall from an earlier thread, we are on the same flight back to Bangor. (Sept. 24, arriving at 6:44 pm?) Thanks for the warning. I'll bring my earplugs.

But seriously, it doesn't bother me when I hear an infant or toddler crying or even screaming on a plane. As long as the parents appear to be making some effort to calm the kid. I know they are miserable and can't help it. Its the older kids who act up that bug me.

 

[melancholywings]

You may not be allowed to hang out in front of the bathrooms. All the flights I have taken they tell you to go back to your seat as it's a safety issue. You have gotten some great advice on this thread. I'd also recommend buying him his own seat, so many flights leave you with very little leg room, and if the person in front of you reclines you might discover you have very little room to hold him or give him distractions.

Also be proactive, friendly and appologitic to your neighbors. The people around you are less likely to get upset if they know the parent is trying and is a nice person.