There are always tricks and tips to having a successful trip, when traveling with your family. Especially when you are traveling with small children. There are many things one can do when you are traveling with your infant but here we will talk about a successful travel with your toddler.
I say successful knowing that this could vary depending on the individual. A successful flight for me is if I don't try to jump out of the plane during the flight. (just kidding...kind of)
Sometimes a successful flight just means that when you finally land the same people who smiled and made "toddler small talk" are still smiling and not avoiding your sheepish grins of sorry or glaring at you with hateful thoughts.
TIMING
(book your flights a couple hours before nap or bedtimes)
I always try to take the first morning flights or late evening flights so there is a better chance of getting your toddler to sleep. Especially with the longer flights. But be aware that the night flights are annoying because the flight attendants turn the light on ever five minutes. (This was extremely annoying with our infant more than our toddler. Usually a toddler, once asleep, will stay knockout most of the time.)
COMFY CLOTHES
(bring an extra change on the plane)
Unless you are carrying on luggage, and are able to keep it handy, have an extra change or two with you for accidents. We made that mistake only just recently. For our trip to Dominican Republic we had our carry on ready but with the mosquito situation we brought huge bottles of bug repellant and had to check a bag. I wasn't thinking and checked the toddler bag. Bad Idea!
I was pretty careful but as you Toddler Mom's know, toddlers can closely resemble teenagers and when they want their way they don't always take "no" for an answer.
I turn away for just one minute and that tall cup of half apple juice half water that I specifically said not to grab had spilled in the toddler's lap.
Luckily an hour was enough to semi dry cheap target leggings if you stick them in the plane's window shade.
Otherwise I was prepared to "jimmy-rig" a skirt out of the red Delta blanket.
Extra points= change their outfit when you land in the gate bathroom and your friends and or family will be so impressed at how neat and clean they are after a long flight.
TRAVEL GIFTS
(toddler attention span is no more than 15 mins)
Hit your local 99 cent store or take some of their smaller toys that they haven't looked at in ages and wrap them individually. And when they start getting restless give them one at a time to open and play with. Try to spread them out, time wise, as much as you can. It even helps as bribes for good behavior.
Books are good too but I don't count them in the travel gifts because they aren't as exciting (at least not for my toddler) But I still bring them on flights for extra entertainment.
SNACKS SNACKS and MORE SNACKS
(snacks and toddlers go hand and hand)
To be honest, when you ard dealing with toddlers SNACKS are the answer to a lot of quick fix problems. Luckily snacks are one of the few things you can still bring on flights. You can also bring water if its in some sort of baby bottle or sippy cup looking thing. They "test" it now.
So bring easy accessible snacks that you can grab and go and try to stay away from sugar snacks. You don't want your toddler bouncing off the airplane walls.
Raisins are great but be prepared to drop half of them on the floor. Fruit is great too but pre slice and or seperate for less mess and independent handling. Anything your toddler can do by themselves the better.
My toddler's favorite phrase is, "I do it myself."
ELECTRONICAL BABYSITTER
(fortunately or unfortunately we live in an electronical world where babies are born with a mental chip to understand and be obsessed with electronics)
What ever device you use, bring it. If your toddler is "unplugged", YOU obviously aren't so bring what ever portable devices you have, especially on long trips.
Most airlines now have built-in video screens where you can select your own programing. I suggest you purchase your own child safe headset, they have safeguarded volume controls so your toddler doesn't blow out their eardrums.
THE FAVORITE "LOVEY"
(nothing is more comforting than having your trusty partner that's been with you through thick and thin by your side)
And last but ,by far, NOT least... please don't forget your toddlers favorite "Lovey", toy, stuffed animal, blankie, pillow or whatever it is that keeps them feeling safe and reminds them of home. Other than YOU this is their "I'm gonna be alright" item.
And whatever that item is I hope you have a standby or duplicate at home. Nothing is more upsetting to your toddler than to lose their "Lovey".
This happened to us recently (same Dominican Republic trip) we accidentally left our Toddler's Zebra on the plane. She has slept with this snuggler from day 1. We were dreading having to tell her that we left it on the plane. Luckily we also brought her stuffed puppy. My husband came up with a brilliant story. He told her that "Debra" flew back home on the plane to keep an eye on the house and would be waiting for her in her room when we returned.
We both froze waiting for the screams and water works but she bought it and said, "ok". She asked for it only a couple more times but she bought it hook line and sinker.
And when we strategically let her find "back up-Debra" she, not once, mentioned how clean this Debra was or made any suggestion that this was a fraud Debra and we all went back to business as usual.
So Parents. THAT is a successful travel experience.
Hope that helps. Safe Travels.
And please feel free to add on, share or agree to disagree in the comments section.
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