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I need travel tips

I lost. I'm going with both kids. I need any advice or tips you have about traveling alone with 2 small children through airport security and waiting on the plane for a couple of hours. I don't really know the other families and I'm not comfortable asking them for help. Amelie will be in the Beco. Security will be outside on the Tarmac in one giant lIne. 

 

I'm almost irrationally scared about this so I decided to ask for some pointers.

Thanks for helping cool my oober frazzled nerves.  

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Re: I need travel tips

  • Do you have a portable DVD player or an iPad?  If E had the iPad with headphones with in a situation like this, it would most likely keep her entertained the entire time.  When we drove to California, we had a bag of entertainment things for her.  I filled it with books, coloring books and crayons, shape cards with shoelace string to 'sew', pipe cleaners to build with, and her magnadoodle.  

    Good luck with this, try to keep a positive outlook.  You are going, so you may as well make the best of it!  Easier said than done, but the more stressed you are, the more stressed the kids will be.  As for the other moms, let them think what they want because they aren't in your shoes.   

  • Obviously I do not have kids...

    But when I travel and see kids I most frequently see them playing with an iPad or DVD.  Pack things to keep them entertained.

     I think this is a really awesome opportunity that you and your kids have. Be happy your husband wants you there, I can think of many friends DH's who could care less if their wives/kids went if they were in the same situation. 

    As Bryn mentioned if you are stressed, your kids will pick up on it.  One thing that stuck out from your previous post was about the other people not being like you guys, personally I think you are all there to support your spouses and the team and have a good time.  Just have an open mind, mingle and have lots of FUN and dont worry about what others think.  Kids are not perfect, in fact nobody is :)

     

  • Good for you for going even though you don't really feel up to it - I think that is really generous toward your DH. :)

    I promise, you will be fine. My #1 piece of advice is to TRAVEL LIGHT. Kids generate so much stuff & it is hard enough to wrangle the two of them much less allllllll the crap you want to bring along. 

    Check in & print everyone's boarding passes online the night before. 

    Stuff a few dollar bills in your pocket for the people you need to tip (shuttle bus driver or curbside check).

    Bring a well organized diaper bag - I know you live in Lincoln but we have an awesome one that I *love* for traveling, if you would want to borrow it you are welcome to, if you're going to be in Omaha beforehand? 

    If you have a purse or bag that goes on like a backpack, I'd bring that. Something that doesn't swing around when you're trying to drag the kids around is much easier to deal with. 

    Ask the shuttle bus driver to load your bags onto & off the bus. Get the bags checked in asap - check everything you can. Bring a few diapers for the trip, check the rest. If you're bringing a stroller, strap the kid in at the baggage counter & keep them there until you're boarding, then gate check it. (stroller not kid - but wouldn't that be awesome if you could gate check your kid?!) 

    I always go up to the gate counter & politely ask if there are any open seats anywhere - let them know you are traveling alone with your kids & they will often be very helpful. If there's an open seat, sometimes they can move things around so you can be next to it. Ask them for a tag for your stroller & let them know you'll be gate checking it. I do not like to board early, I actually don't board until nearly last, b/c it's much easier.

    The Beco is genius, stick with it as much as possible. So much easier. Be prepared they may make you take her out of it for security (huge effing hassle but what can you do).

    Get some books & crap from those dollar bins at Target & bring a few new things, they like that. We always grab some of those jelly window clings, they stick to the seat in front of you or the tray, and they are a silent toy (love that). They are so cheap I usually just leave them behind. 

    Good luck, and order a drink from room service when you get there. ;) 

     

     

  • Well after I wrote that whole novel I re-read your original post & I see that it looks like you are chartering. So a lot of that is no help, sorry :) I am an idiot.
  • Headphones and the iPod with audio books. That way O can still be aware of his surroundings but be entertained enough to stay put. If we are able to sit somewhere the DVD player or leapster were good, otherwise the audio books were better for R. The Tale of Despereaux is probably his favorite and it's pretty long.

    They won't let you wear the baby through security or leave her in the stroller, so make sure that you'll be able to carry the baby and your stuff.

    Make sure you let O know he has a special job of helping you out. For me, I had R carry the diaper bag. We have a backpack style one and it can be adjusted for him to carry. Or have him carry his own backpack with some new surprise cheapy dollar tree toys in it as well as some tic tacks. Or have him push the stroller.

    Charter plane sounds much nicer than the cargo planes we traveled on!
  • imageSB&J:
    Well after I wrote that whole novel I re-read your original post & I see that it looks like you are chartering. So a lot of that is no help, sorry :) I am an idiot.

    No - there's some good stuff there. Thank you! My SIL just suggest that I buy a bunch of new crap to play with so it's new, interesting, and keeps him quiet. He's really not my problem though. He's quirky and strange but I can do really well with him. It's Amelie who will be totally wiggly. I doubt she'll get good sleep so she'll probably be fussy. I might fashion a nursing cover of some sort and just put that over me and adjust the beco to a nursing position. That's almost a surefire way to keep her happy. Oy. I'm sure it'll be good, but I'm still pretty nervous. 

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  • I 2nd traveling lite with a well packed diaper bag & new, cheap fun stuff. I've flown recently and was not asked to take C out of the Ergo at any of the security checkpoints. I usually check my purse sans wallet in my suitcase & just throw that I'm my diaper bag. If you can all share 1 big rolling suitcase, that's easiest. Buy disposable dipes when you get there if possible so you have extra suitcase space. Take travel sized toiletries for you & the kids - check these, but carry on some tylenol & a thermometer. Ask your pedi for prescription numbing eardrops. They numb the eardrum so kids don't feel the pressure changes. Use an umbrella stroller if possible. Also, I was surprised how many people offered to help when they saw I was traveling solo with the little dude....if you feel comfortable, allow them to help. Are you lugging carseats? Is A still in an infant carrier? If so, take the base....seriously the best thing after our carrier. Have a glass of wine, relax and try to stay positive. Leave earlier than you think you'll need to so you aren't rushed. sorry this is 1 big paragraph...on my phone :)
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