Traveling is a hassle no matter how you look at it.
But when you throw kids into the mix, it can turn into a truly harrowing experience that may have you confining yourself to 30-mile radius around your home for the next 18 years. Of course, traveling by air is the worst with kids. Between long lines at the airport, dragging them through security, losing track of them in a crowd, bustling them onto the plane, and realizing that they’re too small to chew gum to pop their ears (leading to ear-splitting wails at every takeoff and landing), you’ll be ready to tear your hair out by the time you reach your destination (and you don’t even want to think about the incumbent trip home). But by following a few simple tips, you can significantly increase your odds of making your way through the airport without any hassles or heartache.
1. Pack light, send stuff ahead. These days you will pay just as much to check a bag as you would to send a box ahead with the bulky items you’ll need for your trip. So give each person (including kids) a carry-on with a change of clothes and a toothbrush (just in case you get delayed and stuck overnight), a few food items to tide you over between meals (no liquids), and some entertainment materials. You should be ready for any setbacks and you’ll avoid a long wait at both the check-in counter (print boarding passes online before you leave home) and the baggage claim. Plus, you’ll always have a hand free to hang onto your wayward tot.
2. Bring Bonine. If you don’t know if your child gets motion sickness, you’re not going to be able to do much about it once the flight starts (since you need to take medication one hour before travel). But at least you’ll have it on hand for the trip home.
3. Buy some juice. The best way to keep kids from the pressure of the ascent and descent is to have them swallow repeatedly throughout. If they’re old enough to be off the bottle, get them some juice in the airport and ration out a sip about every 30 seconds to a minute until you reach cruising altitude (offer more if their ears begin to hurt).
4. Pack their favorite toy. Long flights and layovers can be disorienting and even frightening for children who aren’t used to travel. In this respect, a beloved friend (like their favorite teddy bear or a blanket) can give them the comfort and security they need to be brave and tough it out.
5. Prepare for emergency. Your child could potentially get lost in the airport. It happens all the time. You redirect your attention for a second to grab your ID and suddenly your curious kid is nowhere to be found. In case of such an emergency, prepare by getting your child a lanyard that has their name, any relevant medical instructions, and your contact information in it. And if they’re old enough to take directions, tell them how to find a trustworthy adult (one in uniform or a clerk in a shop) to call you. Also, keep a current (and clear) photo handy in your purse or wallet to help in the event of a search.“Better safe than sorry” should be every parent’s travel creed.
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