The off season has begun and Rory joined me for a brisk 14 kilometer hike this morning. I don't meander when I hike. That is not a walk or a stroll. I hike and even my professional athlete husband had a bit of trouble keeping up with me as we enjoyed the beautiful morning on top of Sant Miquel. The views were spectacular:
The vacation prep continues! Prepping for a vacation is one thing, but prepping for a plane ride with children is quite another. Actually, I have found that once a child is three or so they travel really well. They can tow their own carry on, color, play games with you, have a chat, etc. Traveling with a baby is also pretty simple—feed them and let them sleep. It is not very restful for the mom, but it gets you there. Traveling with a child between the ages of 10 months and 3 years is a different story. I once read a blog where the writer referred to it as her “No Fly Zone.” I wouldn’t go quite that far, but you have to be prepared.
First of all, this is the time where all of my normal parenting thoughts go out the window. My kids don’t have access to computers, iPads, my phone, and other such things on a normal basis. However, when you are in a tiny tube in close proximity to 200+ other people…do what you have to do. That is my motto when flying, really. You can prep all the games and toys you want, but if your little one wants to watch back-to-back videos for a few hours…this is the time to let them without any sort of guilt. Nobody wants to hear your child scream, so do your best and let the normal rules slide a bit.
Now, that said, I still bring games and little toys. I usually hit the Super Euro here in Girona and buy throw away type things for Aurelia. I change activities every 10 minutes, so I pack enough to keep her busy for the duration of the flight. Stickers, cheap vehicles, little animals, velcro, matching things, small puzzles…it all works. I usually wrap them up and she adores unwrapping everything (and this also takes her a few minutes). Run out the clock, people!
When it comes to longer flights (3+ hours), I don’t hesitate to have a film festival. I have a small portable DVD player with two screens. I have yet to bring the second screen for Aurelia, but we may try it on this short flight to Paris to see how she likes it. I also purchased headphones made just for children so they are comfortable and don’t fall off. Although Eston appreciates the current films for kids, I always like to find the classic movies for him as well. I introduce the movie and tell him what I liked about it as a kid and he really digs this concept. Here are a few of Eston’s favorite movies for a plane ride:
Annie (80’s version)
Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory (Gene Wilder, sorry Johnny Depp)
Pete’s Dragon (loved this movie when I was a kid)
Mary Poppins
The Sound of Music (we love Ms. Andrews)
The Parent Trap (Hayley Mills, not Lindsay Lohan, thank you very much)
Troop Beverly Hills (what can I say, I am a child of the 80’s)
Make sure you have a change of clothing for everyone. I have learned this the hard way. Pack enough diapers and maybe an extra or two in event of delay. Pack water bottles and fill them up when you get through security. Don’t stress about naps and such. Kids are excited about the process of travel, so let them enjoy it and get them back on track when you arrive at your destination. Pack healthy snacks because getting your kids hopped up on sugary sweets is not what you want, especially when on a plane.
In the USA you are allowed to fly with a child in an FDA approved car seat. I highly recommend this and always did it for Eston. It is safer and the kids are more comfortable in a seat they know well. I know lugging a car seat through the airport is a drag, but I did it solo all the time due to the amazing PAC BACK. I think you can still buy them on Amazon, but it is basically a backpack that holds the car seat so you can push the stroller. I tried everything else, but this was the best option, especially when traveling solo with kids. The rules here in Europe are different and I have to check the car seats, but I still use the PAC BACK to get it from Point A to the check-in desk.
We are going to enjoy Eston's futbol game tomorrow before we finish packing and head off to Paris for the week!
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