Wendi D
My family is flying from Maine to Orlando at the end of March. I am looking for advice, We are traveling with 4 children ages 2 1/2, 8, 9 and 11. Is there a cheap car seat that is FAA approved, do I have to check my stroller with baggage,I am going to need it in the airport, Do most toddlers cry during take off, how do I keep the kids happy I don't want the entire plane to be miserable because she cries. I have never flown, I have no idea what to expect. I have no idea how to check in, how do go through security. HELP. PS the planes have TVS to occupy the older kids
We are flying nonstop Jetblue and what is gate checking?
Answer
I'm a former Flight Attendant and I fly a lot with my three children.
First of all, relax. Ear problems are actually rare in children. It's a myth that they should suck on something during take-off and landing. Please don't wake anyone up unnecessarily!
If you are concerned about their ears, take them to the doctor's before leaving. I even do this now that they're older (mine are now 10, 8 and 6) because the oldest had a history of ear infections. He hasn't had one in ages but that's definitely not something you want to fly with! No amount of sucking helps that pain and it can damage the ears. Don't risk it. We did catch one once before flying. It's so easy for the doctor to check and so easy to clear up. Otherwise, if they're ears are healthy, they wont have any problems with the pressurization changes.
I used to fly with the cheapest seat out there; the Cosco Scenera. They're usually $40-50 and very light and easy to travel with. Most car seats sold in the U.S. are FAA approved.
You can use your stroller to transport your car seat in the airport or do what I did. I used to check or borrow a stroller at my destination. I would strap my car seat to a small foldable metal luggage cart and my toddler could ride in it when she was too tired to walk. It was a lot less to cart around that a stroller and served both purposes.
Make sure to bring the car seat on board and use it. Never check a car seat as luggage. They get lost and/or broken by the airlines all the time. Your child will be much more comfortable, settled and safer on board in his car seat.
The older kids should be fine. Make sure any electronical gadgets they bring are fully charged before leaving. Bring the rechargers just in case of a delay, etc. I'd also recommend something they like to read, like a comic book because electronic items can't be used on take-off and landing.
For the youngest, I found that simple worked best. Coloring things, pipe cleaners, play dough, pinwheels, chunky books with openable flaps, toys that hook into each other, etc. Mine would not have sat through a video so I didn't get a portable DVD player till later on (then it was great, even with the inflight movies). Bring at least one new toy and give it to him right as the plane pushes back from the gate and everyone has to be seated. Toddlers don't understand or like this so be prepared with the new present to give him at that moment...
No toys that make ANY noise. Toddlers play them over and over again and it will drive your fellow passengers nutty. Even a quiet noise is annoying and it's strange how well sound carries on airplanes. Passengers were bugged by noises 4 and 5 rows away...
Try to do online check-in if possible. Love on line check-in with kids! Be careful that you don't have any bags too heavy. Make sure they're all the same weight or check in one more if you have to (even if you have to pay, it will be cheaper than overweight charges).
Try to bring someone to help you if you are not flying with another adult. Have them park and come in with you to check-in.
Don't worry about security if you have another adult with you. I would recommend skipping a purse and just having a small one around your neck with the valuables. Then get yourself a large backpack to use as a diaper bag. That will be helpful in the parks too. I chuck the big stuff on first, then the bags and then I send the kids through first before I pass under the metal detector. Look for a "family lane" when you get in line.
Give yourself enough time and you'll be fine!
For more information, I wrote an article on this subject. It's based on both my personal and professional experience of flying with kids. It's totally non-commercial and other parents have contributed;
http://flyingwithchildren.blogspot.com
Have a great time in Florida!
I'm a former Flight Attendant and I fly a lot with my three children.
First of all, relax. Ear problems are actually rare in children. It's a myth that they should suck on something during take-off and landing. Please don't wake anyone up unnecessarily!
If you are concerned about their ears, take them to the doctor's before leaving. I even do this now that they're older (mine are now 10, 8 and 6) because the oldest had a history of ear infections. He hasn't had one in ages but that's definitely not something you want to fly with! No amount of sucking helps that pain and it can damage the ears. Don't risk it. We did catch one once before flying. It's so easy for the doctor to check and so easy to clear up. Otherwise, if they're ears are healthy, they wont have any problems with the pressurization changes.
I used to fly with the cheapest seat out there; the Cosco Scenera. They're usually $40-50 and very light and easy to travel with. Most car seats sold in the U.S. are FAA approved.
You can use your stroller to transport your car seat in the airport or do what I did. I used to check or borrow a stroller at my destination. I would strap my car seat to a small foldable metal luggage cart and my toddler could ride in it when she was too tired to walk. It was a lot less to cart around that a stroller and served both purposes.
Make sure to bring the car seat on board and use it. Never check a car seat as luggage. They get lost and/or broken by the airlines all the time. Your child will be much more comfortable, settled and safer on board in his car seat.
The older kids should be fine. Make sure any electronical gadgets they bring are fully charged before leaving. Bring the rechargers just in case of a delay, etc. I'd also recommend something they like to read, like a comic book because electronic items can't be used on take-off and landing.
For the youngest, I found that simple worked best. Coloring things, pipe cleaners, play dough, pinwheels, chunky books with openable flaps, toys that hook into each other, etc. Mine would not have sat through a video so I didn't get a portable DVD player till later on (then it was great, even with the inflight movies). Bring at least one new toy and give it to him right as the plane pushes back from the gate and everyone has to be seated. Toddlers don't understand or like this so be prepared with the new present to give him at that moment...
No toys that make ANY noise. Toddlers play them over and over again and it will drive your fellow passengers nutty. Even a quiet noise is annoying and it's strange how well sound carries on airplanes. Passengers were bugged by noises 4 and 5 rows away...
Try to do online check-in if possible. Love on line check-in with kids! Be careful that you don't have any bags too heavy. Make sure they're all the same weight or check in one more if you have to (even if you have to pay, it will be cheaper than overweight charges).
Try to bring someone to help you if you are not flying with another adult. Have them park and come in with you to check-in.
Don't worry about security if you have another adult with you. I would recommend skipping a purse and just having a small one around your neck with the valuables. Then get yourself a large backpack to use as a diaper bag. That will be helpful in the parks too. I chuck the big stuff on first, then the bags and then I send the kids through first before I pass under the metal detector. Look for a "family lane" when you get in line.
Give yourself enough time and you'll be fine!
For more information, I wrote an article on this subject. It's based on both my personal and professional experience of flying with kids. It's totally non-commercial and other parents have contributed;
http://flyingwithchildren.blogspot.com
Have a great time in Florida!
Child sunburned at school?
Q. My daughter walked in a few minutes ago and I noticed what I thought was a rash on her face . Then I noticed it on her neck and quickly determined after peeling her shirt off it was a sunburn. This happened while she was at school. She is 5 years old and in Kindergarten. Here it is November and we are still dealing with sunburns. I thought they limit sun expose at school. She donât know how long she was outside she is only 5. Should I call the school and ask them to bring in the kids sooner . Would I be overstepping my bounds telling them what to do? They didnât even send home a note. Usually when you have a problem a note is sent home. I would think sunburn is a problem. I have put aloe vera on it. She isnât complaining of pain though.
Answer
She would have had to have been outside for a very long period of time to get a serious sunburn. Its not really a problem, especially if its only a first degree burn. It was not really necessary for them to send a note home. In fact, your daughter probably didn't even notice.I think that you would be overstepping your boundaries by asking them to shorten recess, on the other hand, including some sunscreen in your daughter's backpack in the morning would be a completely resonable solution.
Also, you dont need to put aloe on if there isn't any pain. All it does is relieve the burn, and if she can't feel it there is no use. All sunburns take 1-3 weeks to disappear.
She would have had to have been outside for a very long period of time to get a serious sunburn. Its not really a problem, especially if its only a first degree burn. It was not really necessary for them to send a note home. In fact, your daughter probably didn't even notice.I think that you would be overstepping your boundaries by asking them to shorten recess, on the other hand, including some sunscreen in your daughter's backpack in the morning would be a completely resonable solution.
Also, you dont need to put aloe on if there isn't any pain. All it does is relieve the burn, and if she can't feel it there is no use. All sunburns take 1-3 weeks to disappear.
Powered by Yahoo! Answers
Title Post: Looking for points and advice for flying with children?
Rating: 95% based on 981 ratings. 4,6 user reviews.
Author: Unknown
Thanks For Coming To My Blog
Rating: 95% based on 981 ratings. 4,6 user reviews.
Author: Unknown
Thanks For Coming To My Blog
No comments:
Post a Comment