My little sister is getting married in a few weeks. I'm so excited for her. Keith is really sweet for letting me take Ezra away for a couple weeks so I can go (though he did make me promise to not let Ezra take his first steps while we are away). Poor guy I don't know what he's going to do while we're gone.I'm starting to get a little anxiety over flying "across the pond" with an eleven-month-old. If you have any advice of things that I can do/take with me to possibly make the trip more successful, please share. In the mean time I'm going to align my chakras, channel my inner yogi, and pray for a zen-filled trip. Ezra will need low-stress mom:)
9 comments:
here's a post i wrote after taking levi on a long plane flight at 16mos. Good luck!
http://thejervian.blogspot.com/2008/12/theory-of-travel-toy-relativity.html
I have a friend that swears by a tooth brush and kiddy toothpaste. She just lets her little girl chew on that for a while and she said it takes up a huge chunk of the flight every time.
I've never done that long of a flight with kids but I did do a long, cross country train trip with an 18 month old. I made friends with people on the train who helped with Brooke and I still keep in touch with one of them over 20 years later. Bring plenty of snacks, books, a new toy (or two) as well as old favorites. And something to suck on during take off and landing so his ears pop easily!
I've had flight attendants that were very helpful and some that were so lousy. Be prepared with everything you need to be self sufficient so you don't need anything from them (water, clean up supplies etc). and Ezra is so cute, we'll probably woo everyone with his charm so everyone will want to assist you. Good luck.
You can take one of those cheap little 4 x 6 photo albums (like they give you for free when you develop film) and fill the pages with the words to fingerplays and rhymes, also favorite photos, a list of favorite memorized stories, etc. Also bring a sheet or two of stickers. Now, the pages of the book remind you of all the different little games and stories you have prepared for Ezra, then let him put stickers one at a time on the pages of the album. Also finger puppets are great, a magna-doodle toy, a matchbox/hot wheels car, things he can manipulate. Amen to the other suggestions above. I always dosed my toddler with tylenol when we checked in for the flight, and that combined with the stuff to suck on or chew helped a lot with ear pressure issues. Make sure you have a full change of clothes ( maybe even two) and a large plastic ziplock bag in the diaper bag for him. If you hit turbulence, he may get airsick, and you can clean him up and change his clothes and avoid stinkiness if you are prepared. I "wore" a flannel receiving blanket like an apron during the flight, and it kept me clean through the whole flight. It's also snuggly for them when they get tired. Best Wishes! You guys will do great!!!
Try putting some pictures on your phone that he can look at. There might be an app that you can download, or find some young girls on the plane that want to play with him. He can probably charm them for quite a while.
oooh! good luck! i'm taking my first flight ever with Joshua in a couple of weeks, but it's nothing like a flight over the big blue. ("so, the big blue, what's it like?...um...big...and blue...i knew it!" - name that movie?) good luck (again)!
I'm loving the suggestions above!
Someone suggested to me a little benadryl or something that will make him sleepy. Sounds bad to drug your child but I have been known to give my kids Triaminic (is that still on the market?) at just the slightest sniffle when traveling. It helped to get through the night or naptime. Do they have a Tylenol PM for kids? that might help with ears and sleep both.
You are a very brave woman! I think you need a theme song for the trip. How about "I Will Survive". You will make it and you will be so happy to be with your fam for a little while, even if the flying experience is not so fun. I wish I had some advice, but I think I need it myself.
I do know that some airlines have a cradle thing that can go in the front row just above your lap (it hooks into the wall), but I don't know if Ezra is too big or old for it. That might be more dangerous since he's very mobile. Good luck!
:) I think the chakra channel of your inner yogi will really boost your zen-filled trip. A girl after my own heart! :) Looks like you got lots of good advice. I will reiterate the needs for the sucking on take off and landing. Benadryl or the such is not only good for sleeping but will help keep the ear canal and sinuses clear for less pressure. Gool luck Sweetie! Kisses to the boys too.
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