| Recently, a very distressed parent emailed me stating | | | | spend more time and attention on your kids, and less |
| she was going to be flying in the next couple of days | | | | time worrying whether you forgot something or not. |
| unexpectedly with her toddler. She was so worried | | | | One very useful trick is to ship your luggage to your |
| about the flight and asked a long string of valid | | | | destination. We pack up all our clothing and other items |
| questions. It was my pleasure to reply back since I | | | | for our trip in sturdy boxes, then ship them to our |
| remember how I felt on my first flight with my | | | | destination so that the items arrive on the day we |
| rambunctious, energetic toddler. The trick is attitude. | | | | arrive. We use UPS which hasn't failed us yet, and I |
| Parents need to plan ahead, setup various activities, | | | | also bring my prepaid return shipping label along with a |
| snack schedules, projects, and games just as if you | | | | roll of tape so all I have to do is reseal the boxes, slap |
| were running a daycare, or preschool. The adventure | | | | on the pre-printed return label, call UPS and they come |
| (and parental planned schedule) begins upon arrival at | | | | pick up the boxes and deliver them right back to our |
| the airport. | | | | house. For us, boarding an airplane to us is like hopping |
| Standing in line will be part of the adventure. Some kids | | | | on the light rail to take a short day trip down town. |
| don't have the attention span to just stand in line and | | | | Effortless and actually fun. |
| wait, so parents can be creative and have activities | | | | A big problem with some parents is the constant |
| that toddlers can do while they are in line. Anything | | | | nagging worry about forgetting to bring something. |
| from people watching while playing imaginary detective | | | | These parents tend to want to bring everything, just in |
| games like "let's see how many red suit cases there | | | | case. Bringing too much gear on your trip is a great |
| are", to playing with finger puppets while you wait. | | | | way to make yourself stressed out, and miserable. Not |
| Consider the line your quality time with your child, not a | | | | only do you have to account for all your pieces of |
| stressful time consuming event that will most likely fall | | | | luggage, but you have to pay more in fees, exhaust |
| apart at any moment. Schedule 15 minute to half an | | | | your body from lugging everything around, and keep |
| hour activities and be prepared with projects, games, | | | | track of your little ones. |
| other distractions that will entertain and occupy them | | | | My advise is to look at how many days you will be |
| during the long wait in lines at the airport, as well as | | | | traveling, what the weather predictions in that area are |
| during the flight. | | | | expected to be, and pack the minimum that you can |
| The security check can be fun. Let your little one | | | | get away with. There are some definite necessities |
| know that the person in the uniform is someone we all | | | | such as some diapers and wipes for the little ones, |
| want to meet, and say hi too, but everyone wants to | | | | along with 4 shirts, 3 pants, a travel dress for mom, |
| meet him so we all have to wait our turn. Then you | | | | comfortable shoes, sandals, under garments, toiletry |
| can play a game about having good behavior and | | | | items, etc. If you keep it very basic, you should be able |
| have your child come up with some great ideas while | | | | to purchase other items once you arrive. |
| you wait. You can also pull a few distracting yet | | | | Traveling is such a wonderful adventure, but traveling |
| entertaining items out of your pocket to pass the time | | | | with kids is the best adventure of all. So plan ahead, |
| at this point. Just be sure it is TSA approved. | | | | prepare for your trip, don't over do it, keep it simple, |
| When you are prepared, and have all your necessary | | | | ship your luggage, lighten your load, spend quality time |
| documents, identification, and tickets organized, along | | | | with your kids and enjoy your journey. |
| with minimal carry-on luggage, you will be able to | | | | |