Q. we are going on a 3 hour plane ride and I'm nervous about my daughter. She's a good girl but she's still a toddler!
Answer
I've been flying internationally with my children since they were 2 months (now 7&5), and here are some tips and advice that have always worked for me:
1.) I advise using a CRS (Child Restraint System) because it is safe for the child, makes them feel secure, is more comfortable for both parent and child, and gives you the opportunity to relax a bit.
A CRS is an airline-approved alternative to using a hard-backed seat and is approved for use on aircraft and for use in motor vehicles. Many people confuse it with a regular car seat, which it is not.
http://faa.custhelp.com/cgi-bin/faa.cfg/php/enduser/std_adp.php?p_faqid=29&p_created=1071174367&p_sid=mn66D6wi&p_lva=&p_sp=cF9zcmNoPTEmcF9zb3J0X2J5PSZwX2dyaWRzb3J0PSZwX3Jvd19jbnQ9NCZwX3Byb2RzPSZwX2NhdHM9MCZwX3B2PSZwX2N2PSZwX3BhZ2U9MSZwX3NlYXJjaF90ZXh0PWNoaWxk&p_li=&p_topview=1
This website talks about approved CRS devices and their ratings: http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/CPS/CSSRating/Index.cfm
Many airlines offer half-price tickets so parents can be guaranteed that their child can travel in a CRS device. Parents should call their airline to ask for a discount and/or ask what the airline's policy is for using empty seats.
Ask your airline if they can provide a CRS for your child. If so, you may not be permitted to bring your own CRS on board, and may need to check it as baggage.
http://www.faa.gov/passengers/fly_children/crs/
2.) Try to be as relaxed as possible because your daughter will be able to pick up on any anxiousness you might have.
3.) For take-offs and landings, the best thing you can do is if your daughter is still nursing, make sure to nurse her. If she is not nursing, give her a bottle to drink (milk, water, juice - it doesn't matter) or a pacifier.
Baby formula is fine to take with you, and you are not limited to the amount you can bring aboard with you, do not worry.
http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/children/formula.shtm
New regulations allow you to take beverages (including water) from home as long as they are less than 3oz, OR beverages (including water) of any size that you have purchased from inside the security area onto planes. You can also bring a limited amount of baby food onto the plane with you. http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/prohibited/permitted-prohibited-items.shtm#10
Save your money when it comes to buying water though because the stewards/stewardess' will provide you with hot or cold water (or any other drink) free at any time that you request, no matter how many times you request it.
Another trick is that if your daughter is not taking to the pacifier or wanting to drink, gently rub her neck from the chin down to the chest several times - this will cause a swallowing motion which will help with the ears popping.
4.) Make sure to pack plenty of things to entertain your daughter. A few of her favorite toys, books, and any comfort things such as a blankie. The Fa's will also provide you with a toy or coloring book for your daughter also.
5.)Take your daughter to the store and buy her a small carry-on bag (consider letting her pick it out). Pick out a few new (but inexpensive) toys that will be used only once she is on the plane.
6.) Pack a few instant hot/cold cereals, instant rice, and other just-add-water packets (age appropriate, of course). The stewards/stewardess' will provide you with hot or cold water upon request. You can also bring a limited amount of baby food and a few other non-perishable snack items. Dried fruit makes a great (and healthy) snack! Drinks will be provided free at any time that you request, no matter how many times you request.
7.) Be sure to pack 2-3 changes of clothes for your daughter. You will need this in case she gets sick, spills something on herself, or in case your luggage gets lost. Also bring any medications that you might need for her should she get sick. Do NOT give your daughter medicine with the hopes of it making her sleep. This is not only cruel, but dangerous as well.
8.) Last but not least, if help is offered to you, take it.
I also agree with what another poster said about familiarizing your daughter with procedures before you get to the airport. Here's an answer I gave about what to expect, and maybe it'll help you explain things to your daughter: http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=Aru7tbZs3aLQ1TuaPIxjWmjty6IX?qid=20070502074743AATtwaF&show=7#profile-info-amei417laa
I hope you have a great trip, and if I can be of any more assistance, please feel free to contact me
I've been flying internationally with my children since they were 2 months (now 7&5), and here are some tips and advice that have always worked for me:
1.) I advise using a CRS (Child Restraint System) because it is safe for the child, makes them feel secure, is more comfortable for both parent and child, and gives you the opportunity to relax a bit.
A CRS is an airline-approved alternative to using a hard-backed seat and is approved for use on aircraft and for use in motor vehicles. Many people confuse it with a regular car seat, which it is not.
http://faa.custhelp.com/cgi-bin/faa.cfg/php/enduser/std_adp.php?p_faqid=29&p_created=1071174367&p_sid=mn66D6wi&p_lva=&p_sp=cF9zcmNoPTEmcF9zb3J0X2J5PSZwX2dyaWRzb3J0PSZwX3Jvd19jbnQ9NCZwX3Byb2RzPSZwX2NhdHM9MCZwX3B2PSZwX2N2PSZwX3BhZ2U9MSZwX3NlYXJjaF90ZXh0PWNoaWxk&p_li=&p_topview=1
This website talks about approved CRS devices and their ratings: http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/CPS/CSSRating/Index.cfm
Many airlines offer half-price tickets so parents can be guaranteed that their child can travel in a CRS device. Parents should call their airline to ask for a discount and/or ask what the airline's policy is for using empty seats.
Ask your airline if they can provide a CRS for your child. If so, you may not be permitted to bring your own CRS on board, and may need to check it as baggage.
http://www.faa.gov/passengers/fly_children/crs/
2.) Try to be as relaxed as possible because your daughter will be able to pick up on any anxiousness you might have.
3.) For take-offs and landings, the best thing you can do is if your daughter is still nursing, make sure to nurse her. If she is not nursing, give her a bottle to drink (milk, water, juice - it doesn't matter) or a pacifier.
Baby formula is fine to take with you, and you are not limited to the amount you can bring aboard with you, do not worry.
http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/children/formula.shtm
New regulations allow you to take beverages (including water) from home as long as they are less than 3oz, OR beverages (including water) of any size that you have purchased from inside the security area onto planes. You can also bring a limited amount of baby food onto the plane with you. http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/prohibited/permitted-prohibited-items.shtm#10
Save your money when it comes to buying water though because the stewards/stewardess' will provide you with hot or cold water (or any other drink) free at any time that you request, no matter how many times you request it.
Another trick is that if your daughter is not taking to the pacifier or wanting to drink, gently rub her neck from the chin down to the chest several times - this will cause a swallowing motion which will help with the ears popping.
4.) Make sure to pack plenty of things to entertain your daughter. A few of her favorite toys, books, and any comfort things such as a blankie. The Fa's will also provide you with a toy or coloring book for your daughter also.
5.)Take your daughter to the store and buy her a small carry-on bag (consider letting her pick it out). Pick out a few new (but inexpensive) toys that will be used only once she is on the plane.
6.) Pack a few instant hot/cold cereals, instant rice, and other just-add-water packets (age appropriate, of course). The stewards/stewardess' will provide you with hot or cold water upon request. You can also bring a limited amount of baby food and a few other non-perishable snack items. Dried fruit makes a great (and healthy) snack! Drinks will be provided free at any time that you request, no matter how many times you request.
7.) Be sure to pack 2-3 changes of clothes for your daughter. You will need this in case she gets sick, spills something on herself, or in case your luggage gets lost. Also bring any medications that you might need for her should she get sick. Do NOT give your daughter medicine with the hopes of it making her sleep. This is not only cruel, but dangerous as well.
8.) Last but not least, if help is offered to you, take it.
I also agree with what another poster said about familiarizing your daughter with procedures before you get to the airport. Here's an answer I gave about what to expect, and maybe it'll help you explain things to your daughter: http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=Aru7tbZs3aLQ1TuaPIxjWmjty6IX?qid=20070502074743AATtwaF&show=7#profile-info-amei417laa
I hope you have a great trip, and if I can be of any more assistance, please feel free to contact me
Food to pack for a 5 hour train trip with kids?
madame_dra
This summer we'll be taking 2 5-hour train trips with a 2-yr old and an 8-yr old. Any suggestions for lunch and/or dinner that doesn't have to be put in a cooler or heated? Also, about once or twice a year we take a family trip that is 10 hours one way. Any new suggestions for "different" car trip food would be great. Thanks!
Answer
My grandmother used to make what I ended up calling as a child a Ga bag. ( everything good that I loved to snack on when we went on trips )
I still do that today when my husband and I travel with my 9 yr old daughter. Makes having to stop all the time because you hear," I'm HUNGRY, I'm Thirsty, I'm BORED *ggaaahh*" all the time.
Anyway some good suggestions for snack type stuff that's also healthy and won't get to tiring for them.
Apples with Caramel dip in individual tubs.
Pretzles with either peanut butter or cheese to dip in. ( I would even go so far as saying do both. You can get small individual serving size containers by Glad that have a lid easy enough for even the 2 yr old to close if you trust them to close it that is. Put like 2 tubs of peanut butter and two tubs of cheese dip so their won't be a battle of the dips.
Home made Chex Mix: you and your children can make easy home made chex mix * chexmix.com I think has the recipe but any chex cereal box has the recipe too *. You can let your children pick out what they want to add to the chex cereal to make it more personal, peanuts, almond slivers, mini M&M's and mini chocolate chips and peanut butter chips. Mini colored marshmallows, dried fruit ( the type that's cut in small pieces ), stuff like that. Make it good for them but with the added "sweet treat" stuff they may not realize just HOW good it actually is for them.
Home made Trail mix: again let them pick the stuff they want in their own bag of trail mix and have them help you make it. It will be fun for them and with your 8 yr old a good way to start learning how to make their own snacks with your supervision till you can trust them to do so on their own. My 9 yr old loves to help in the kitchen and it also helps that she's in 4-H so she get's to learn new stuff at her food project meetings each month.
Make your own cracker sandwiches with what ever they want in them. Again a fun way to individualize snacks for each child to enjoy. That or purchase pre-made crackers like the peanutbutter and honey or creamcheese and chives kind.
Sandwichs as the good ol' standby though I'm betting that even you would get tired of them after a while.
Drinks:
Hi-C juice box drinks, Koolaid Cooler pouches or that new pouch out by Capri Sun that's flavored water. Better than canned drinks as less spillable. The 2 yr old should be able to hold the juice box drinks fairly well and would take a bit of pressure to squeeze it hard enough for the drink to spray out.
Another good standby is Beef Jerky, snack bars ( they have the snack bites in fruit flavors good finger food for the 2 yr old to enjoy ), mixed nuts, and snack sized packs of cookies like oreo's, nutter butter, choc.chip as well as the ones with cheese nips or other cracker type snacks.
For your 2 yr old, Gerber makes all those great finger food snacks in small servings, great for the 2 yr old and some in fun shapes to enjoy.
Top that off with Travel games for the 8 yr old and toddler type games for the 2 yr old and your set for a some what peacful trip. ( Till the 2 yr old becomes so tired and cranky and the 8 yr old becomes bored or tired of just sitting for hours at a time that is.)
Good luck and enjoy your trip.
My grandmother used to make what I ended up calling as a child a Ga bag. ( everything good that I loved to snack on when we went on trips )
I still do that today when my husband and I travel with my 9 yr old daughter. Makes having to stop all the time because you hear," I'm HUNGRY, I'm Thirsty, I'm BORED *ggaaahh*" all the time.
Anyway some good suggestions for snack type stuff that's also healthy and won't get to tiring for them.
Apples with Caramel dip in individual tubs.
Pretzles with either peanut butter or cheese to dip in. ( I would even go so far as saying do both. You can get small individual serving size containers by Glad that have a lid easy enough for even the 2 yr old to close if you trust them to close it that is. Put like 2 tubs of peanut butter and two tubs of cheese dip so their won't be a battle of the dips.
Home made Chex Mix: you and your children can make easy home made chex mix * chexmix.com I think has the recipe but any chex cereal box has the recipe too *. You can let your children pick out what they want to add to the chex cereal to make it more personal, peanuts, almond slivers, mini M&M's and mini chocolate chips and peanut butter chips. Mini colored marshmallows, dried fruit ( the type that's cut in small pieces ), stuff like that. Make it good for them but with the added "sweet treat" stuff they may not realize just HOW good it actually is for them.
Home made Trail mix: again let them pick the stuff they want in their own bag of trail mix and have them help you make it. It will be fun for them and with your 8 yr old a good way to start learning how to make their own snacks with your supervision till you can trust them to do so on their own. My 9 yr old loves to help in the kitchen and it also helps that she's in 4-H so she get's to learn new stuff at her food project meetings each month.
Make your own cracker sandwiches with what ever they want in them. Again a fun way to individualize snacks for each child to enjoy. That or purchase pre-made crackers like the peanutbutter and honey or creamcheese and chives kind.
Sandwichs as the good ol' standby though I'm betting that even you would get tired of them after a while.
Drinks:
Hi-C juice box drinks, Koolaid Cooler pouches or that new pouch out by Capri Sun that's flavored water. Better than canned drinks as less spillable. The 2 yr old should be able to hold the juice box drinks fairly well and would take a bit of pressure to squeeze it hard enough for the drink to spray out.
Another good standby is Beef Jerky, snack bars ( they have the snack bites in fruit flavors good finger food for the 2 yr old to enjoy ), mixed nuts, and snack sized packs of cookies like oreo's, nutter butter, choc.chip as well as the ones with cheese nips or other cracker type snacks.
For your 2 yr old, Gerber makes all those great finger food snacks in small servings, great for the 2 yr old and some in fun shapes to enjoy.
Top that off with Travel games for the 8 yr old and toddler type games for the 2 yr old and your set for a some what peacful trip. ( Till the 2 yr old becomes so tired and cranky and the 8 yr old becomes bored or tired of just sitting for hours at a time that is.)
Good luck and enjoy your trip.
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