Unfortunately, storks cannot carry your children to your holiday destinations. These half-grown humans, with their short attention spans and their struggle to sit still have to ride in the plane with all the big people. If long flights are tiring for adults, then you can be guaranteed that your children will not be having the time of their lives. To make the struggle lighter, here are nine tips to help you through long flights.
Don’t Be Afraid To Make Friends With Other Parents
The first thing that you should know when you travel with kids is that you need a support system. The truth of the matter is that kids are problematic. They are noisy and energetic and it basically takes a whole village to raise them. That’s why you shouldn’t shy away from reaching out and making friends with fellow parents. A simple conversation struck at the airport or the boarding gate could get you a new traveling buddy. This building of connections will create a support system and between the two of you, (or several if you have the social skills to match) you can safely manage the children and even get time to sleep. No promises on that last part though.
Board Early
If you have ever been to the airport with children, then you know that sinking feeling amidst the commotion where you just wished and wished that you had arrived there earlier. Perhaps this is why most airlines offer families and children the chance to board the aircraft before the crowd, just to ease the commotion and the strain on the parents and their attendants as well. I know that the idea of boarding the plane last with your kids might look attractive from certain angles, but believe me when I say it’s not all that it’s cut out to be. Where you really want to be is right at the front of the line so that you can have a head start to settle your little ones in before the plane is flooded with faces.
Make It An Adventure
Your kid's imagination could be what saves you from disaster. A game of I Spy with My Little Eyes and Simon Says will keep them busy for long enough to pass the time. Keeping the kids busy with different games and stimulating them with activities takes their minds off the tiredness of the trip and stops them from being a nuisance. The next tip requires a little strategy, continue reading to find out more!
Choose Your Seats Wisely
Being strategic about where you and your team sit on a long flight will help you stay out of people’s hair. On some flights, seats are booked pre-flight, but in the event that you get to pick your victims, sit next to people who are more tolerant of children. Grandparents will dote on your children and keep them busy, while other parents will be better understanding of your situation. Sitting in the front row is helpful as well because that means that your children will not have a seat in front of them to kick.
Bribe Them With Gadgets
This is definitely a cop-out, but nobody will blame you if you do. Charging your kids' iPads and making sure all their favorite movies are on it is a quick way to ensure you have silence for a large part of the flight. Having a few games on them won’t hurt as well, as this can be used to talk them out of a tantrum or keep them from pulling some stranger's hair. If you are traveling with energy bunnies, the next tip is for you.
Keep Moving Around
As soon as the flight is underway, you are free to walk up and down the aisles of the planes to let off some energy. Walking around allows your kids to dispense some of that pent-up energy built from sitting for long periods of time. As long as you can keep it quiet, make it fun by making the kids race a little to let off steam a lot faster and knock them out on the flight.
Bring Snacks
If their jaws are chomping, they are too busy eating to make noise. Food and drinks are a time-proven method of keeping your rascals in check. Some flights have food that they provide, but just to be safe, carry your own. Children can also be picky eaters, so it is smart to choose things that they know and love to coerce them into good behavior.
Protect Their Ears
Your children are more likely to fuss around if they are experiencing that uncomfortable sensation in the ears. Babies, in particular, suffer the worst, and this could leave you with a screaming baby for most of the flight. Breastfeeding or using a summy during ascent and descent can be helpful. For the older kiddies, make them cover their ears to better deal with the sensation.
Keep Your Nerve
The best way to keep things calm is to stay calm yourself. Children are monkey see monkey do kind of creatures so your mood will affect their energy. Even when they throw up a fuss, trying to talk them down by raising your voice will only make it worse. When they start crying, ignoring them and waiting for them to regulate their emotions is a better solution.