Flying with Toddlers

December is one of the busiest months for air traffic. I wanted to share an article with you that was written about traveling with todders on airplanes:

Flying with toddlers can be a nightmare at times. This is especially true if the toddler starts screaming and shouting or crying in flight. There is no exit door and place to bring him for a time out till he cools down and composes himself.

Here are some tips on how I manage to have a hassle free flight with my kids.

Tip #1- Bring along some pen and paper and sticker activity books.

My 2yr and 4yr old love doodling and having spare pencils and papers really do help to keep them momentarily occupied for a minimum of 10-15 minutes. My younger one loves for me to draw fishes on the paper for him while his older brother would draw in train tracks and trains.
The boys go ballistic with stickers and love sticking in the various stickers on the relevant pages. It is also a fun way for them to learn.

Tip #2- Have some palm size toys around for them to play with.

Die-cast Thomas the train engines and matchbox cars are a staple in my handbag these few years. With a train or car in hand my boys will be using the plates, chopsticks or even coasters as tracks as they move their toy all around the dining table while waiting to be served.

Tip #3- Pre load cartoons into your mobile/PDA or bring along a portable VCD/PSP

If you are traveling budget like I did there isn’t any in-house movies/show to watch during the flight. By pre loading/downloading Thomas the Train, Barney and other movies onto hubby’s 3G phone it kept them occupied for nearly an hour. Do remember to pack along spare batteries for your phone though.

Tip #4- Bring along their favourite snacks.

Having their chocolate sticks, strawberry milk and other snack food available will keep your child happy and satisfied. They can quietly sit there on the seat and munch away as mine did during the flight.

Tip #5- Try not to let them nap before the flight.

Every time we travel by air I would make it a point to keep the boys fully occupied with various activities to prevent them from falling asleep and taking a nap. It seems to work as when the plane takes off the sound of the engine and the movement of the plane works as instant soothers to lull them off to sleep resulting them in “shutting off” for at least an hour or two.

With these 5 tips in hand are you better equipped in handing your toddler on a flight?

Dominique Goh, elementary school teacher, mom to two active toddlers, freelance writer and blog consultant.

Catch me on my parenting blog- From Dominique's Desk (www.dominiquegoh.com)

Article Source: http://www.wahm-articles.com

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