Travel Help Needed with Kiddos

I’ve posted at my wornoutwoman site requesting some advice on what to do when traveling with little ones via plane. I am leaving Friday for a long flight, and am slightly apprehensive. Not only because my son is crying already b/c he doesn’t want to leave Nana, but because the last flight we took, when he was 2, was really hard on the guy.

Granted….at 2, you can’t clear your ears properly to relieve the pressure. I tried having him suck from his sippy cup. I used lolipops. Nothing worked. Even at 2, he could really enunciate and talk like a 5 year old. He would scream, when his ears were at his worst, “Get me off of this p-laaaane!” Every word was punched and deliberate as he cried his heart out. It wasn’t one of those bratty kids you hear screaming on planes, but the desperate cry of a baby that is in pain.

As a mom, I couldn’t fix him without literally taking him out of that darned plane. Other passengers were so gracious. One lady even offered to hold him for me, with the most kind eyes I’d ever seen. Mostly it was men that reached out to comfort him. As they departed, at least 5 to 6 grown men reached down and rubbed his head, saying, “You okay buddy? Don’t worry…I wanted off this plane too. You weren’t alone.” Then they’d see how young he was and ask me, “HOW OLD is he?”

“Two.”

“Man, I’ve never heard a two year old speak so clearly and so well. Mine never did at that age.”

That’s my son. Older and wiser beyond his years. At two he was writing his name. I can prove it. I have it on tape. At two he as making up lyrics to songs…not music…just lyrics. At two he was smarter than most 5 years olds, and could count to 15. Now he counts and does math in the thousands at 5.

My point being…..he’s not easily entertained. AND I have a long flight to Hawaii that will leave me with plenty of time to do so with not many resources.

So I’m packing a carry on that will have:

Leapster
Books
Coloring Books/Crayons
Blank paper for writing or drawing
UNO cards
Mini DVD player with a couple movies
Snacks
Travel Pillow
and Wfbdoglover mentioned word puzzles…and I think it’s a genius idea.

Any of you have any more ideas? I could use all the helpful info I could get my hands on!

Thank you from the bottom of my heart!

July 16, 2008 |

Comments

7 Comments so far

trysh, Crafting July 16, 2008 8:56 am
Been so long since I had a 5 year old around that I have no good ideas - and I’m sure the resources I had then have been eclipsed by those available now - so I’ll offer the one thing I can do - my prayers for a safe trip and one that is fun for the little guy - that he be engaged and interested the whole way!
By the way - I’m thinkin’ I could come along to help entertain….?
wornoutwoman, Moms July 16, 2008 9:16 am
For sure!!! You could!!!
Thank you Trysh…I could use your prayers for traveling mercies and a peaceful flight. Please pray that no one gets sick too. 10 days away from our doctor is nothing, but when you’re thousands of miles away…it would be a major inconvenience. Thanks!
tenakim, Moms July 16, 2008 11:10 am
Good luck! We’re not much of a travelin’ bunch, but we have done car trips and they are dreadful- we use the same tools! Planes are much easier, i think. Have a great time and this flight is better than the last for the little guy.
wornoutwoman, Moms July 16, 2008 3:58 pm
Thanks TenaKim. I’m only hours away….Friday am we’re off!
stewartallyn, Dads July 16, 2008 7:17 pm
I know I might catch some flack on this but…

Benadryl. Not only will it help with his sinuses, keeping him from getting a pain in the nasal area between the eyes, it will also make him tired.

I also used the “chicklet” approach with my son. Planes usually start their decent 45 minutes prior to landing. That is when the first cabin change will start to get noticed. About 15 minutes from landing their will be a larger power reduction and a faster decent. That is usually when you start feeling the pressure difference.

At that time I started a game with him. I let him open his gum pack and take one piece every minute. I gave him my watch so he could time it. BY the time he got 10 pieces in his mouth, he was really chewing hard and his ears were popping. When the gear came down, about 4-5 minutes before landing, I let him chew as much as he wanted until we landed.

Just a few thoughts.
wornoutwoman, Moms July 17, 2008 7:15 am
stewartallyn, I will give you no flack. Although I’ve never been a parent that would medicate to get my child to sleep….never ever!!! I would consider it for a flight just for the air pressure situation. It pained him so bad last time.
Half-Past Kissin' Time July 17, 2008 9:28 pm
I bought an “ERnie” puppet just for traveling. My son, too, was very bright. He fell in love with that puppet; I kid you not. I can’t tell you how many hours I spent sitting backwards, “talking” to Kyle in the backseat. I did bring him out at home once in a great while, but mainly he traveled with us. Best investment I ever made. Good luck, and have a GREAT trip!