Life is a journey and parents of young children know that journey is more about damage control than the destination. Fortunately Jessica and I are able to make frequent trips home and are not only travel veterans but professionals. Due to our husbands work schedules we usually travel as just mom and baby, which can cause major mishaps. Together we’ve come up with our top 10 travel tips in hopes that others will fare better than we have in the past.
1. Looking cute in yoga pants or sweats is totally doable.
Ok, I don’t want to be crude but let’s be realistic, airplane bathrooms are gross and with a toddler who touches everythiiiing they’re worse. To make those bathroom breaks lightening fast, and doable with one hand (because if yours is anything like my chamaco they’re probably trying to open the door) then be sure to avoid:
- any clothing that needs finicky buttoning
- zippers
- anything that needs adjusting.
Easy on,easy off and vamanos (you need to catch that kid who is already halfway down the aisle).
Photo by: themermaidinstilettos.com
2. Cinderella is a fun fairy tale but hunting for a lost shoe in an airport is NOT
A dear friend gave me this piece of advice and I think it is one of the best I have ever heard. Rushing to make a tight connection in a big airport she looked down and realized that her daughter only had one shoe! She had to retrace her steps through a busy airport and then bolt to make her flight (both glass slippers in tow) Lesson learned: be sure shoes and all accessories, are securely fastened before continuing your journey!
Hanging out at the gate, note the velco shoes!
3. You’re going to make a mess (and that’s ok!)
Photo: dailymail.co.uk
We know that kids and mess go hand in hand. You will make extra brownie points with the stewards and your seatmate if you try to keep that mess under wraps.
- bring along an old grocery bag or two to clean up old snacks or dirty clothes.
- use disposable containers for any snack food. Note: keep in mind that that as your belongings become unravelled enroute you’ll be freeing up space in your bag
4. Sharing is caring! You’ll need two pens.
Photo: seeknewtravel.com
I learned this during the airline version of the Hunger Games last Easter while trying to fill out immigration forms next to a demanding toddler. I made Chamaco his own ink free pen (shhhh, he doesn’t know!) that looks like mine. Now he can scratch away at a piece of paper, the back of the seat, his pants for all I care! I am free to fill out those picky forms.
5. Toys with multiparts? Not unless you want to get reeeally cozy with your seat mate.
Photo: thetomatos.com
Last Christmas I made the fatal mistake of bringing a Mr Potato Head with us. Fantasies of constructing new faces and stretching my child’s creativity quickly crumbled as Mr Potato’s ear was hurled into the back of 9A’s head…. Somewhere over Ohio I was pawing through the 11B’s carry-on hunting for the hat while the Chamaco sprayed apple juice at my (saint-like) seatmate. Lesson learned: if it comes apart, forget it. If you can’t afford to loose it, leave it at home. And lastly if it hurts when thrown, don’t bring it.
6.Ooooh, shiny! New toys are a game changer
Speaking of toys, new (compact, unbreakable) toys will be a godsend when travelling. I find that the new toys Chamaco takes a liking to are ones that are closely related to what he is playing with at the moment. The golden rule: don’t show your cards too soon. Wait until an almost meltdown or at least midflight to reveal this little tactic.
Getting bored!!
7. Crafts are fun, clean up is not.
Photo: Blitsy Crafts
One thing I love to do with Chamaco is drawing. It keeps him still and helps him relax. One thing I despise is clean up. Luckily those toy geniuses have solved the problem for us. Chamaco has 2 things we always travel with.
- The first is a Mess Free Activity Pad (pictured) which is basically a layer of gel against a light up background that also plays music. You and yours can doodle to your hearts’ content without risking unsolicited redecoration of your seatback.
- The second is a Water Wow by Melissa and Doug. This is a small colouring book that comes with a paint brush (don’t recoil! I promise, it is parent friendly). All you need to do is fill the paint brush with water and hand it over. As your child dampens the page colour will appear along with unseen details! Even for me it is mesmerizing.
8.Ice, ice baby! Layer layer layer
Sometimes planes are cold, sometimes planes are hot. Best to be prepared for anything. Bonus points if your layers are easily compactable and don’t take up a lot of room in your carryon. Those layers can also become helpful between that dirty airplane seat and your baby’s face if they nap midflight.
Nap time!
Thank goodness for blankets
9.Snacks upon snacks upon snacks.
Photo: travelsort.com
Airpoint/airplane food is expensive, unhealthy, and full of fat and sugar. Set yourself up for success and bring along healthy snacks from home. Plus, when your kid upends that bowl of cheerios onto the floor you won’t be out $8-10. My favourite snacks for the Chamaco are cheerios, corn, dried fruit and homemade sandwiches. Avoid bringing sticky or bulky items and juice. If I need to deal with a spill (and chances are I will) I way rather water.
10. Don’t forget, almost everyone on the plane has gone through what you’re going through, or they wish they had.
My second flight with Chamaco was on the heels of our first one (which was 6 hours long). He was 6 months old and we were exhausted. It was late, it was dark and he had a meltdown on a packed, delayed plane. I tried hush him while near tears myself. A passenger told me, “Look, most of the people here are parents. We’ve all been there, we get it. Don’t worry and just do what you can. It’s ok.”
The best part is always the snuggle time
Lesson learned: Probably you’re the only one freaking out. It is ok if at some point you’re a mess because we have all been there. Remember, you’re doing a great job and you’ll laugh later. But hey, misery loves company so if you have a truly toe curling story and remedying tip leave it in the comments! Bon voyage!