Last minute tips for traveling by air with young kids!

From the Community…

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  Posted by Audrey Wed Nov 25, 2009 2:51pm PST

  One word "Benadryl" for all ages.

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  Posted by Jonny Wed Nov 25, 2009 3:02pm PST

  One word: "Don't."

  Just drive.

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  Posted by chipnelvis Fri Nov 27, 2009 8:04am PST

  the best thing we ever did was get our seat assingments to the very last row of the plane!! the stuart/stuartess station is right behind you, and those ladies are pros!!!!! they know how to make kids happy! on our last trip from ny city to los angeles, they had our 5 +7 yr olds, coloring then hanging the pics on the walls of the bathrooms, walking up and down the ilse collecting garbage, they gave them the special lunch packs from first class! It was great!!!

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  Posted by SS Fri Nov 27, 2009 3:03pm PST

  I personally think that they shouldn't fly with young children because it's always a pain in the a** for those who do not have kids to have to put up with the whole drama. I might sound unfair but on the other hand YOU decided to have the kids, right? so YOU deal with them and refrain from bothering other people, so PLEASE travel by car or have people come see you instead.

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  Posted by Robyn Fri Nov 27, 2009 4:06pm PST

  ss relize not all parents can take the car ride or even afford to, and sometimes it is eayer to do the 3 hour flight. me and guy are trying to find a a flight to chicago from nevada, we cannot take tree weeks off just to drive. but we do try make it eayer for everyone else. no you did not have the child and no you should not have "deal" with them bothering you. that is why we try to get the nonstop flight, get the time where the child will sleep hopefully through it, and of course coloring, books and toys.

  just dont forget the adults act just as bad if not worse with the alcohol, and electronic devices on board

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  Posted by chipnelvis Fri Nov 27, 2009 4:24pm PST

  ss, wow! you were a child once too. when you have kids, good luck trying to be as selfish as you are now.

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  Posted by SS Fri Nov 27, 2009 7:53pm PST

  Chipnelvis, yes I was a kid once but wherever I went my mom always made me behave not like people today that let their kids run around and screaming bothering people. You are right I am selfish and that is the reason I dont want kids ever, because that its my choice and as I respect other people's choices and boundaries I expect the same from them, especially if they have kids they need to put them in their place, guide them because they are the adults. People that let their kids do whatever they want piss me off, so Im just saying that if they chose to have kids they need to understand that they have to make some adjustments too including respecting other people's space.

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  Posted by KiraC Fri Nov 27, 2009 8:24pm PST

  I have to agree with ss but, I do not think it is selfish to expect parents to control their kids. I do think it is selfish to believe you should get some sort of extra consideration because you are a parent.

  Maybe people are misinterpreting opinions against kids as a low tolerance of kids in general, when in fact it is really a low tolerance for parents who think it is better to be a kid's friend than a real parents. Guess what if you get shot a dirty look there is a reason why and excuses don't cut it.

  When I was young kids were made to mind and if they did not the input of others was welcomed not scorned as it is today.

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  Posted by chipnelvis Sat Nov 28, 2009 8:35am PST

  kids do not come with on and off switches. I myself have never had one of my two kids disrupting others on an airplane, thank you benedryl and a good plan. I think most of the time it's parents who don't anticipate there being a problem with there little angels who wind up with the screaming kid! As a parent you absolutely have to plan ahead. But, there will always be times when youngsters just freak out and there is nothing anyone can do about it! Unfortunately you can't remove a kid from a plane when these time crop up. On my last trip there were some people traveling with a 4yr old who was freaking out big time! the problem was they were trying to get the kid to sit still and shut up, this approach does not work! Let the kid play with something they never ordinarily get to touch or eat something special. Distraction is your best asset when traveling with kids. (and of course the blessed Benydrl)

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  Posted by Stacey Sun Nov 29, 2009 8:27am PST

  I think most people who travel with kids are petrified that their kid is going to disturb others, so they are conscientious and prepared. Maybe I've been lucky, but I haven't encountered the slacker parents who don't care their kids are making everyone else miserable. That said, sometimes kids get upset and as long as the parents are actually trying to diffuse the situation, remember that they are doing the best they can and are MORTIFIED at the situation. Instead of making them feel worse, maybe show some compassion. As for parents expecting special treatment, again I think that's not the majority.

  Even if you choose not to have any yourself, it's unrealistic to think you can get through life without having some contact with kids (unless you never go out in public), so you can decide how you are going to deal: choose to make the best of it, or choose to complain.

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