The Art of Flying with Children
When it comes to fast and convenient travel, nothing is quicker than hiring a private jet. Private jet rental cost needn’t be expensive – in fact, if you know what to look for, there isn’t much difference between flying private and the cost of a first-class ticket. By shopping around, you can find the best deal to suit you.
However, a private jet isn’t going to be appropriate, or possible, for everyone. If you have kids and are flying alone as a solo parent, or this is your first flight as a family, you might be concerned about arriving all together, let alone in one piece. When it comes to what could go wrong when flying, the realm of possibilities is endless: what if they misbehave, or scream for the entire flight? Or what if you land more ready for a nap than for fun? If only saying, “Don’t worry about it” were simple. Below are some tips to help keep the stress out of flying with children.
Inspect the Fees
As an adult or adult couple, the cost of a flight is straightforward: you select your ticket and trip cycle, pay for it and associated fees, and that’s it. As parents, charges such as infant fare, luggage allowance for baby equipment, extra seats, and priority boarding must be considered and not all airlines handle each element equally. Look carefully at each fee when flying with children to save money and headaches down the line.
Plan for Everything
Ensure that everything from entertainment supplies to extra underwear to medications are packed. Children are notoriously unpredictable at times and by packing one of everything, there will never be a moment where you’re at a loss for a solution. A good idea is to buy some toys to keep your child occupied.
Warn Your Fellow Passengers
This warning is especially important for those with young kids. A simple note with a pair of earplugs attached will help you and the other passengers feel less tense if young children are wailing for the entirety of the flight.
Emergency Preparedness
Even with children who are potty trained, pack some extra clothes, Pull-Ups when applicable, and plenty of wet wipes. Extra clothes sure are appreciated when they’re needed and are sorely missed when they’re absent. Wet wipes are useful for adults and children of all ages as an emergency clean-up solution.
Simplicity is the Key
There’s a fine balance between carrying enough activities to keep the kids entertained and carrying so many things that you’ve become a walking toy store. When it comes to flying, it’s best to keep children limited to one or two easy games like I spy and tic-tac-toe. Before grabbing a new game for the upcoming trip, Toys R Us may have a coupon available.
Use Backpacks as Carryons
There is no question that parents need at least one hand, if not three, at all times. Don’t waste one of those valuable hands by carrying a bag. Use a backpack instead. The backpack leaves both of those hands free to carry and escort children, show identification, and all the other things adults need their hands for in the airport.
Arrive Early
It’s better to wait around than to miss the flight. Who knows what interruptions could be met when children are along for the adventure.
Be Creative
Flying is supposed to be the convenient method of travel but it seems to be growing into an increasingly difficult method of travel for many parents. Regain some of that ease and convenience by adhering to some of the recommendations listed above as well as employing your own creative strategies. The most inventive solution for out-of-line children I have read today is telling them that the “airplane police” are on patrol to catch naughty kids. Creativity doesn’t have to be intimidation: it can be a special airport edition of follow the leader or any other activity the traveling children (and parents) enjoy.
With planning and creativity, flying with children can become less of a nightmare and return to the convenience it always should be.
