Our big trip is in one week. Emery, Chani, and I are flying to Utah two weeks ahead of Clint who needs to finish teaching his summer term. I need help! Those of you who have flown with toddlers, please tell me your best tricks. Emery will watch movies, and we are taking the laptop for that. In addition, he'll be enamored with the plane and I think that he'll be really good. Chani, on the other hand has me worried. She will not sit still for anything, and she doesn't watch tv. She is always on the go and I have a hard time keeping her still through church (1 hour of sitting). What can I do to occupy her for 3 hours on a plane?
What snacks?
What toys?
What else?
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Flying solo
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7 comments:
What keeps her the most occupied? Does she like to color? I'd definitely invest in a couple of new toys from the dollar store and only introduce them once you're on the plane and she's starting to get antsy. If they're something of a novelty, maybe they'll keep her entertained for longer. I'm not sure about snacks, though. As long as it's not messy... fruit snacks, small boxes of raisins and crackers worked for Caroline. Good thing you brought this up. I'm now wondering how Clayton will do in 2 weeks when we fly to Washington D.C.
I'm doing this with Brigham (whom I hope will be more on the Emery end of things than the Chani end, due to age).
I'm going to buy a few new toys and wrap them up in wrapping paper. I'm also going to do this with a few of his favorite old toys. I heard the idea from someone else (I can't remember who) and they said the wrapping paper made it seem less like "Mom's trying to occupy me" and more like "Wow! This is so cool!" Oh, and I'd do the same thing with some less messy snacks like raisins, grapes, bite size graham crackers, etc. Wrap 'em up and they'll probably seem cooler.
Of course, you may have to do the same thing for Emery, just so he doesn't get jealous (or is that just my kids?!). Anyway, just a thought.
And I'd probably try to have her ready for a nap, too. That is, if she's one who falls asleep in the car. If she's not that type of kid, that may not be the best idea.
I'll be checking back to see everyone else's ideas!
Does she have her own seat? If not and you think Emery would be okay watching movies on your lap, you might consider giving her Emery's seat. Maybe she'll be better if she has her own space?
I always lucked out and our flights always seemed to be around nap time so Jared would fall asleep. Granted the last time I flew with him he was a lot younger and not so active but I took a lot of books, toys, snacks, and every so often I would let Jared take Matt's spot and hold Matt. At least your flight is shorter than mine were. Are you staying in SLC or is someone coming to get you to go home? If you are in SLC I would love to see you! Let me know and good luck!!
Good ideas, girls. Julie, we don't have a seat for her, but I was thinking the same thing, that I could strap her into Emery's seat and then he could sit with me to watch his movies. I am headed to the dollar store later today to see what I can find. I think I may get a notebook that she can rip pages out of one at a time. She's also a fan of stickers, so lots of those. And yes, I will have presents for Emery too, or he will be sad. I also bought some suckers as a last ditch effort if things get totally out of control. She naps when the flight is, but I am worried that she will try to sleep in the car on the way to the airport.
When I've flown with V. I've bought new coloring books with stickers. Special candy that she only gets to eat on the plane. The last time we flew I also bought some of those lace-card things. The ones that are a shape or something and you can lace a string thru it. I'm not sure how old your kids are, but I also let V. chew gum during take off and landing to help pop her ears.
(She tells people she's only allowed to eat gum when on a plane)
We flew last Nov. and she wanted to get down and walk for a little bit. At first I said no, then realized,'It's a plane, Where can she go?' So I told her she could walk up and down, but couldn't bother anyone. Walking a bit seemed to help.
And of course snacks and movies like everyone else has said.
P.S.
I know some people don't like these, but if they keep your kids from running off...
Use those little wrist or backpack leash things. I can't think what they are called. You can get them almost anywhere.
We fly a ton with our 4 little kiddos - with and without Dad. Our oldest son had been on over 100 flights by the time he turned 2. I'll be honest, The worst part of flying with kids is all of the "stuff"! You have to bring the carseat, diapers, change of clothes, etc. but you really DON'T need lots of toys, snacks, etc. Seriously. You think you do, but then you just end up lugging them around for hours and picking them up from under the seats or trying to stop the 2-year-old from chucking crayons over the seat onto someone's head.
The kids are usually pretty fascinated with the plane, etc. and if you time it right and have a storybook or two or a video you can usually get them to sleep.
I do TOTALLY agree with having them switch seats after take-off. Litlle ones always ride best in a carseat (it cushions them better for sleep and they KNOW they can't get out of it). Then Emery can just sit on your lap and enjoy a movie or a book with you. It will go fast! You'll be fine! Have fun!!
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