I
love traveling. Always have - I love the adventure, the excitement, the
planning, and experiencing new things! As a parent I still enjoy traveling, it
just requires a little more planning than it used to. Oh the thrill of keeping kids
occupied on an airplane!
Here are a few
things we have learned over the years, traveling with our children (by far not
an exhaustive list). The internet is an excellent resource for more ideas.
1.
Always buy an extra seat for your kid. Even though airlines will allow children
under the age of 2 to sit on the parents lap (saving money on airfare), it is not
worth it. Unless you have a very small infant, don't do it. For years I wondered about those parents who dragged their car seats into the flight cabin
and buckled their kids into them. Now I get it. The kids are buckled
in (and can't get out). It gives kids the feeling of security - they know their
car seat, they sleep in their car seat! Wonderful.
2. Bring something
for the kids to drink during take-off and landing. As adults we know to swallow
to relieve the pressure in our ears. Help your child by giving them a drink (or
gum for the older kids). Remember you can't bring liquids through security.
Bring an empty bottle and refill it once past security, or buy something
in the boarding area. Ideally have a cup that you can replenish (so they don't
drink it all at once).
3. As a parent wear
comfortable easy-to-wash clothes. For years my optimistic husband always
dressed up to fly. You will get spilled on, and it's less stressful knowing your clothes are easy to clean.
4. Let the kids burn their energy in the airport (preferably away from the crowds). Within reason, of course. Remind those with disapproving looks that it's better they burn their energy in the terminal than on the airplane! Vancouver International Airport (YVR) has a nice kids play area in the US terminal. Investigate what options your airport has.
5. Gate-check your stroller. The stroller is a wonderful tool at airports.
Not only can you buckle up your grumpy over-tired hyper-active child (please tell me it's not just our kids who are this way when traveling?), you can also store
hand luggage underneath.
6. And as for hand luggage - I remember when the kids finally became
old enough to carry their own backpack with their stuff. It was downright
liberating! Not only did my hand luggage shrink to the size of my laptop case
again, it also had a book for ME to read. Pack a variety of things to keep
your kids busy during the flight. I've found the availability of in-flight
movies a real hit and miss. Do an internet search on
age-appropriate ideas of what to bring, activity books, ipods, books,
games, snacks, extra pacifiers... and bring out only one activity at a time,
keeping surprises for when they get really bored. Remember - it's a long
flight, you don't want to run out of things to do after the first hour.
7. Insist on naps or rest time. They don't have to be entertained the entire time in flight. If it's their regular nap or bed time, insist on it. Especially on overnight flights (which can be awesome for kids sleeping, but awful for sleep-deprived parents the next morning).
8. Don't forget to
pack child medications. Yes, you can buy them once you're on Maui, but what about in-flight? Our kids have several times
developed a fever while on the plane. Some parents pre-medicate the kids to get
them to sleep in flight. It works for some kids, not on others.
9. Remember your
kids will need car seats in Hawaii also. The restrictions may be a little
different than back home, but in Hawaii all kids under age 4 need to be in a child safety
seat, between age 4-7 in a booster seat (exemption if child over 4'9" or
weighs more than 80 lbs).
It's not meant as an inconvenience, but to protect your kids in case of a car
accident. Check with your
airline, the ones we've flown with allow you to check three child
items for free (per child) - a stroller, car seat and playpen come to mind. Car rental agencies do often rent out car seats (check before you leave), and there are also a few baby gear rental agencies here on Maui.
10. Once you're here, breathe, take it easy, relax. Have a routine and stick with it
- you will have happier kids. When we used to come to Maui on holiday, we always had
a routine. We'd get up, have breakfast, go for a walk (burn energy), do an
activity (be it sightseeing, beach, pool etc). Have lunch, do naps, do an
activity (usually pool at this point), have dinner, go for another walk, get
ready for bed, kids in bed and 'mom and dad time out' to read or watch a movie,
sit on the lanai and relax. You know what will work best for your family, and your kids will be a lot happier knowing what to expect. Labels: flights, kids