Oh, Dearest Mother, Sweetest Virgin of Altagracia, our Patroness. You are our Advocate and to you we recommend our needs. You are our Teacher and like disciples we come to learn from the example of your holy life. You are our Mother, and like children, we come to offer you all of the love of our hearts. Receive, dearest Mother, our offerings and listen attentively to our supplications. Amen.



Active Topics || Favorites || Member List || Search || About Us || Help || Register || Login
Mothering and Family Life
 4Real Forums : Mothering and Family Life
Subject Topic: Flying w/ Kids Post ReplyPost New Topic
Author
Message << Prev Topic | Next Topic >>
Jenn Sal
Forum All-Star
Forum All-Star
Avatar

Joined: June 23 2005
Location: Texas
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 897
Posted: Jan 18 2008 at 9:05am | IP Logged Quote Jenn Sal

Any suggestions on flying with kids? I'v flown with a 3yo and 6mo. That was Easy. I now have 6yo, 3yo, and a busy 11mo. It's a 5hr flight. I'm hoping the 11mo will nap some, but I know it won't be the whole flight. I've got a sling and she nurses!      I know that will help. Toy suggestions, snacks, ect... I don't want to buy things that will fall all over, loose pieces ect...

Help!

__________________
Jennifer, Texas
Wife to Mark, Mom to Cora 13,Kade 10, Sarah in Heaven 12/05, Colette 7, Corin 5, & Kieran 2
Back to Top View Jenn Sal's Profile Search for other posts by Jenn Sal
 
Fuzzy
Forum Pro
Forum Pro
Avatar

Joined: March 07 2007
Location: Virginia
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 393
Posted: Jan 18 2008 at 9:37am | IP Logged Quote Fuzzy

Books (look and find, read aloud, doors to open), coloring books and crayons for the older ones (limit crayons to 4 each or something). There are fun books that have magnetic pieces, that are really helpful. I always think that if it's NEW and different, it will keep them occupied better.

This is what comes to mind first, and I know some of the ladies will have better suggestions.

__________________
Fuzzy
Mom to DS 12, DD 10, DS 7, and DS 4, and DD 1!
Fuzzy Memories
Back to Top View Fuzzy's Profile Search for other posts by Fuzzy Visit Fuzzy's Homepage
 
Fe2h2o
Forum Pro
Forum Pro
Avatar

Joined: Sept 09 2005
Location: Australia
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 150
Posted: Jan 18 2008 at 9:53am | IP Logged Quote Fe2h2o

One thing (I've read, not had opportunity to use as yet) is to start putting aside little things (even 'current' toys, certainly would still work for the 3 yo and 11 mo, especially if they had been 'rotated' out sufficiently in advance), and to wrap them individually—just in newspaper. Try to have enough to dole them out at regular intervals. The unwrapping (although possibly messy!) should help contribute to the time they help occupy:-)

__________________
Mama to Puggle (ds 05/04), Bilby (dd 10/06) and Cygnet (ds 09/08)
The Genial Hearth
Back to Top View Fe2h2o's Profile Search for other posts by Fe2h2o Visit Fe2h2o's Homepage
 
PDyer
Forum All-Star
Forum All-Star


Joined: Feb 25 2005
Location: Ohio
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 1043
Posted: Jan 18 2008 at 10:16am | IP Logged Quote PDyer

Travel-sized magnadoodles!

__________________
Patty
Mom of ds (7/96) and dd (9/01) and two angels (8/95 and 6/08)
Life at Home
Back to Top View PDyer's Profile Search for other posts by PDyer Visit PDyer's Homepage
 
Jenn Sal
Forum All-Star
Forum All-Star
Avatar

Joined: June 23 2005
Location: Texas
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 897
Posted: Jan 18 2008 at 4:58pm | IP Logged Quote Jenn Sal

Has anyone ever used magnetic tins? I'm thinking that if they make a clanging , clicking sound, it will drive me crazy!    I see them suggested a lot for traveling.



__________________
Jennifer, Texas
Wife to Mark, Mom to Cora 13,Kade 10, Sarah in Heaven 12/05, Colette 7, Corin 5, & Kieran 2
Back to Top View Jenn Sal's Profile Search for other posts by Jenn Sal
 
CAgirl4God
Forum Pro
Forum Pro
Avatar

Joined: May 04 2007
Location: Puerto Rico
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 419
Posted: Jan 18 2008 at 5:43pm | IP Logged Quote CAgirl4God

PDyer wrote:
Travel-sized magnadoodles!


we love these! not the teeny tiny ones but the next size up.

a small note pad with a few crayons...
mini coloring books,

a couple of new books for the kids. and for the little ones I love those books with the little doors that open! mine love those.

when we flew here to PR Judy was almost 3. we have the above items.
snacks, sippy cups. her favorite little dolly (very small) and her blanket (also very small).

and the thing that saved us???
we got a dvd player with splitters so all four could watch a movie together. they each had a set of head phones. and I had one cd player. this also distracted them from the movie on the plane! yikes lol!

we flew from CA to Chicago to San Juan.. it was a LLLOONNNGGG day lol. but they made it.

the snack really help Judy (and all of them). I brought gogurts, crackers, dry cereal, bananas (for early morning) granola bars, apples, sandwiches, trail mix, dried fruit, etc.. we bought several water bottles after going through security.
next time though, I am bringing my empty bottle adn filling at the drinking fountain! lol too much $$ to buy new water lol.

good luck and have a fun trip!
Back to Top View CAgirl4God's Profile Search for other posts by CAgirl4God
 
guitarnan
Forum Moderator
Forum Moderator
Avatar

Joined: Feb 07 2005
Location: Maryland
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 10883
Posted: Jan 18 2008 at 7:53pm | IP Logged Quote guitarnan

Keep a surprise toy in reserve for that meltdown moment.

Also, explain several times to your children (even the youngest) how things will go. Add a few details each time...we'll wait in a line to go through security, we'll get on the plane, taking off will feel weird, there will be food, we'll go potty on the plane...it sounds weird but even young children can understand some of this.

Be sure to get to the airport early so you can check in and remind the airline people that you all really really have to sit together.

Extra undies and pants for everyone. Just in case. Board early, then take the children to the restroom on board before everyone else gets on the plane. Make sure you visit the restroom again about 40 minutes before your landing time.

I Spy or similar books can keep your 6yo occupied for a long time. I definitely agree, magnadoodles are the absolute best.

__________________
Nancy in MD. Mom of ds (24) & dd (18); 31-year Navy wife, move coordinator and keeper of home fires. Writer and dance mom.
Back to Top View guitarnan's Profile Search for other posts by guitarnan Visit guitarnan's Homepage
 
ann@home
Forum Pro
Forum Pro
Avatar

Joined: April 26 2007
Location: Iowa
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 169
Posted: Jan 21 2008 at 12:48pm | IP Logged Quote ann@home

Ditto all the above-esp the magnadoodle!

We splurged on the travel DVD player a few yrs ago when we knew we'd be flying 2x per yr with similar ages as yours. It's been a lifesaver on those 4 hr flights!!

I tried the toys, books, drawing, etc but that only cut it for about an hour total for the 2 yr old. The other times they were fidgeting and saying they were hungry, etc....
The DVD player cured that. I know some don't want to rely on TV but when you're trapped in a 2x2space for 4-5 hrs it's worth it

And I always bring more snacks than I think I need since they are always hungry! The plastic banana holders are great too so you don't get squished bananas! We had 1 mess too many and learned the hard way

And thank goodness you're still nursing, that may save you all!
Good luck

__________________
Ann, Full-time Mama of a 10yr old Lego master, 7yr old DIVA, 4yr old King of the Mountain and one more in June '09!
Back to Top View ann@home's Profile Search for other posts by ann@home
 
Jenn Sal
Forum All-Star
Forum All-Star
Avatar

Joined: June 23 2005
Location: Texas
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 897
Posted: Jan 21 2008 at 4:19pm | IP Logged Quote Jenn Sal

Thank you for all the ideas. My husband remeinded me that we have a portable DVD player. I have NO problem using it for long trips.      And I'm sure the passengers around us will be really pleased!

I'll have to look up plastic banna holder....not sure what that is!

__________________
Jennifer, Texas
Wife to Mark, Mom to Cora 13,Kade 10, Sarah in Heaven 12/05, Colette 7, Corin 5, & Kieran 2
Back to Top View Jenn Sal's Profile Search for other posts by Jenn Sal
 
ann@home
Forum Pro
Forum Pro
Avatar

Joined: April 26 2007
Location: Iowa
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 169
Posted: Jan 21 2008 at 4:31pm | IP Logged Quote ann@home

Jenn Sal wrote:


I'll have to look up plastic banna holder....not sure what that is!


It's just a plastic container shaped like a banana. Check your wal-mart or Target.

__________________
Ann, Full-time Mama of a 10yr old Lego master, 7yr old DIVA, 4yr old King of the Mountain and one more in June '09!
Back to Top View ann@home's Profile Search for other posts by ann@home
 
crusermom
Forum All-Star
Forum All-Star


Joined: Aug 09 2007
Location: New Jersey
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 878
Posted: Jan 21 2008 at 7:14pm | IP Logged Quote crusermom

Hi - I used the portable DVD player with a headset. I usually put one plug in my ear and kind of hold the other near the toddler's ear. That is enough to keep the little one happy and not disturb our fellow passengers. I flew recently and my 17 month old danced along to "Signing Times" the whole trip. Good Luck!!

Mary
Back to Top View crusermom's Profile Search for other posts by crusermom
 
SallyT
Forum All-Star
Forum All-Star
Avatar

Joined: Aug 08 2007
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 2489
Posted: Jan 21 2008 at 9:16pm | IP Logged Quote SallyT

I third the Magna-Doodle! Nothing to drop or roll under the seat. That was consistently our best "plane toy" for many, many long hauls back and forth over the Atlantic with littles who didn't sleep. Ever.

Some kind of magnetic travel game (checkers, battleship, etc) might be fun for the 6yo, if you can manage to look away from the baby to play.

Regular snacks are a great help, too, especially since they don't feel you on the plane any more.

I ALWAYS packed an entire change of clothes for each child under 5.

HTH.

Sally

__________________
Castle in the Sea
Abandon Hopefully
Back to Top View SallyT's Profile Search for other posts by SallyT Visit SallyT's Homepage
 

If you wish to post a reply to this topic you must first login
If you are not already registered you must first register

  [Add this topic to My Favorites] Post ReplyPost New Topic
Printable version Printable version

Forum Jump
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot create polls in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum

Hosting and Support provided by theNetSmith.com