Getting ready for a family vacation is a lot of work. As I cross things off of my to-do list it seems like more things are being added. I am definitely not a pro at traveling with a child but here are a few tricks that work for us on plane rides.
1. Pack snacks, snacks and a few more snacks. You never know what a toddler is in the mood for, especially if you have a picky eater like me. I try to pack all of his favorite foods so we can have options. I also pack extras in case he drops something or he just has a big appetite.
2. Pack disinfectant wipes and USE THEM! Before I even put my seat belt on I wipe down every surface in my reach. We all know that kids touch everything and then put their hands in their mouths (super gross if you think about how many people sat on that plane). Instead of me freaking out about my son touching everything for the next few hours I just clean it thoroughly. I know I can’t get all of the germs (I wish) but it definitely helps.
3. Have a few fun toys or activities handy. When Myan was younger I would pack some of his favorite teethers and a few small soft toys for plane rides. Now that he is a toddler it takes a little bit more effort to keep him busy. I love the Crayola Color Wonder markers because they only write on special paper. If he ends up drawing on his hands or the seats you won’t be able to tell because it comes out clear. I also like to take two new books (preferably the touch and feel or lift-the-flap).
4. Have a plan C. I try to save Myan’s Kindle Fire tablet for traveling so that it is new and exciting. This is perfect to take out after we’ve gone through all of our other activities and have eaten a snack. I have educational games, short videos and books downloaded so that he can have a variety of things to choose from. Nobody knows your child better than you do. Make sure your plan C is something that can defuse one of the biggest toddler tantrums of the universe. Myan loves music and electronics so this works perfectly for us.
5. Ignore the staring and side eyes. Walking on a plane with a baby or toddler is like walking on with a sign saying I have the plague and you will too before we land. I guess people forget that they were once kids too. It is unrealistic to expect a very young child to be able to sit quietly for hours. Half of the adults in this world can’t do it either! It can be nerve-racking to travel with a little one but try to relax and go with the flow.
We are going on our first family cruise to the Bahamas next week. I plan to go with the flow and let my son play his way into a nap everyday. I haven’t made any permanent plans for activities yet because toddlers are unpredictable when put into new environments (and time zones). He loves music so I’m about 99% sure he will be singing and dancing majority of the time. Once we get back and settled I will write an update on how our first family cruise went.
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Amazing Post!
Thank you!!