I fly all the time.
I am super good at it.
I know you wear stretchy pants with no metal on them. I wear shoes that easily slide on and off. I have my ID and boarding pass out at the appropriate times. I take my laptop out my bag, and I put it in a separate bin. When I get flagged by security, I smile and say nice things as they feel me up, I know it’s your job – no biggie! And you should know this is the most action I’ve seen since Saturday! Ha!
Shaun has flown with me exactly twice.
He wears the wrong clothes. He has a bunch of crap in his pockets. He gets in the wrong lines. He panics about the location of the gate and loses his boarding pass. He tries to bring liquids, and he complains about paying for things (like his giant suitcase).
I hate flying with Shaun as much as I hate the airplane bathroom.
And now? I have to take care of him and our three children.
We can't even behave in Santa's sleigh (and it's magical).
This is not going to go well.
I am freaking out.
How do I make it through the airport with three kids, two car seats, a double stroller, two large suitcases, two carry-ons, and Shaun? And then once we actually make it to the gate, how do I keep them all busy for a five hour flight? How do I keep their ears from popping when they REFUSE to not swallow gum?
I don’t want to be the annoying people that I hate on the airplane with the kids that cry the whole time and kick the backs of seats.
Help me. I am begging you.
{ 26 comments… read them below or add one }
Drug the kids with something like Benadryl and drug Shaun with Ambien.
If you chose to go this route, try it before you actually get on the plane. Benadryl makes my children hyper instead of mellow and sleepy. I tried it for the first time on my oldest when she was 18 months and we flew on a red eye. She was hyper and screaming for six hours. It was a nightmare.
I have absolutely NO advice for you but I fully intend to check the comments here considering I’ll be flying for the first time with my family (although smaller: one child and one childlike husband) in 16 days! It’s my son and my husband’s first time flying…thrilled (note sarcasm).
Bring little toys, a portable DVD player for the kids to watch movies, and drink heavily.
We’ve flown with ours before and it was surprisingly easy, the last time Tate was 2 months old and I thought it was going to ba a nightmare. My biggest tip is to check luggage, then give each of the kids a bag for a few toys, a change of clothes, and snacks. I packed a few treats for Finn so he had stuff to keep him occupied. He also watched movies on the laptop, played his Leapster, and on one plane we had cartoons on a seatback screen. Backpacks work well because they are easy to carry, but you could also do a mini rollaboard. And the family lane is great for getting throgh security without being those “annoying people with the kids.” I think the last time we flew, kids didn’t have to take shoes off anymore, but that may depend on the airport.
Oh and when I flew by myself with Finn when he was Lilah’s age, I strapped his carseat right to the rollaboard, put him in it, and wheeled him right through the airport.
You make your kids swallow gum? I would refuse too!
She said they DO swallow their gum, so if she gives it to them, it wouldn’t help with their ears. They’ll just swallow it.
Buy each of the kids back packs. They will think they are so cool and you can have them carry their own stuff (pack the bag full of dollar store stuff that they have never seen before. It will be like Christmas!). Get some suckers for their ears.
As for Shaun, Xanax.
Good luck!
I have flown twice with ONE CHILD…ONE HUSBAND…and a MOTHER – Backpacks with snacks…and EXTRA CLOTHING – Gate check all those car seats, stollers and what not before you even walk into the airport…Make sure all FOUR of them know YOU are in charge once you step into that airport…take a deep breath – and go for it…don’t ask your husband for any help – YOU keep everything with you – all gate passes and ID…
Pharmaceutical intervention! Fancy word for Benedryl or Robitussen. As a military spouse who has flown across the country multiple times with 2 kids in tow, this is my best advice.
I used to travel all the time, but I’ve only flown with one child once. It was pretty easy. I did what the others have recommended, treats, change of clothes, DVD player, books, coloring books, and small toys for them to play with.
I’ve only flown twice in my lifetime, I know, I need to get out more, so I have zero advice for you but I do want to wish you luck. You’re definitely going to need it.
Also, drink an ice cold margarita an hour before you leave for the airport. I’m sure that’ll help take the edge off of traveling with three kids
instead of gum, get them sippy cups with straws. Then tell them to drink…the sucking through a straw will do the same thing as chewing. Always pack food…it seems there’s never any around when they (or you) are hungry. As for the toys, I went and bought them each two (inexpensive) but new toys they’d never seen before…that way it was a little exciting. I have no idea how to help your husband…
Dose them with Tylenol. Have sippy cups for the ears. Make sure to bring all of their favorite things to occupy them. Also don’t show up too early, otherwise they will be bored before you even get on the plane.
For one the plane entertainment, these books saved my sanity when we did a 4 hour flight to Phoenix with my then 3 year old. http://www.barnesandnoble.com/c/chicken-socks/1697459
We also used a luggage cart that was something like this: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B002Q4V16A/ref=asc_df_B002Q4V16A1924708?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=asn&creative=395093&creativeASIN=B002Q4V16A and bungee corded her car seat to it.
So, this is what I would do:
If using the seats on the plane, I would have Shawn drop you off at the check in area with the stroller and the two large suitcases. I would have Shaun park the car, get the pre bungee corded carseats out of the car, strap the kids in them, and pull them, in the seats, into the airport. He would also be responsible for the carry ons. Then, once he meets you, you go up, get everyone checked in (and let him be responsible for managing the kids while you do that) and then go to security. Once you’re at security, he is responsible for your two youngest children. You are responsible for your oldest child, all carry ons except Shawn’s and the car seat/bungee cord set up (since you’ll have to unstrap them from the luggage cart for security). All Shawn has to do is get himself and your two youngest kids through security and then to find an out of the way-ish place where you can get the car seats put back together. Then once you’re through security, you can load the kids back into their car seats and pull them through the airport. My point is, I think you need to divide and conquer and assign specific people specific duties before you get to the airport.
If you’re not using the seats on the plane then replace “car seats” with double stroller in the above paragraph.
I honest-to-God would draw out a diagram of who was doing what when and go over it. But that’s just how my brain works. I would also get to the airport about 4 hours early.
I remember how much I DREADED the idea of flying with my kid, but it wasn’t nearly as bad as I imagined. And at least you can buy alcohol on the plane now….
Take advantage of Priority Family Boarding!
Did this with husband, in-laws (no help at all), a 7 month crawler & 4 year old on an 18 hour flight to Asia – twice.
Suckers & sippy cups for the ears, their own goody bag with crayons, books, food, etc
DVD’s for the laptop or bring a portable player.
All else fails – give them Tylenol or Benadryl and let them doze.
Ignore the adults and all their drama.
I’d say a half a Percocet ought to just about do it! For you, not the kids. Ha ha! All kidding aside, read your husband the riot act before you leave the house. Tell him he can be part of the solution or part of the problem. But if he chooses “part of the problem”, then he gets every snide remark you sling at him! Ha ha! Check absolutely everything you can including your laptop. Unless you’re going to Japan, you won’t have time for it. Check your purse, keep your wallet. Take the whole diaper bag (even if you don’t have diapers, you’ll still need the wipes, snacks, clothes, etc.) Those kids are allowed check-in bags, too, so use them! Take only the essentials with you on the plane and try to make sure they’re in bags that are backpacks. The more hands you have and the less stuff you have to carry means you can do a better job of kid-wrangling. Also, seating is going to be critical. Sit as far back on the plane as you can so you have fewer people do deal with. You’ll get first seating because of the kids, but still choose back of the plane so you have plenty of time and room to adjust and situate. Assuming you sit on the left-hand side of the plane in two rows, ideal seating is this: front row – smallest or most well-behaved child (window seat), husband (middle seat), back row – second most well-behaved child (window seat), third child (middle), you (aisle). That way, if they kick, they’re kicking the rest of your family. Keep those kids corralled and under your control. The more outside stimuli they’re exposed to, the less effective your efforts will be. For their ears, anything they can suck on should keep the air-pressure from affecting them too much. However, if they do start to hurt and your kids cry, so be it. Most adults understand how awful it is to have your ears hurt and they also know that kids don’t know how to pop them to relieve the pressure. To keep them occupied, I agree that a new, small bag or backpack (that they are in charge of) filled with a couple of familiar items and a few new, exciting things will be sufficient. But you don’t have to go overboard on this, they won’t need a lot of stuff, just the old tried-and-true items; the rest can go in the check-in bags. Extra clothes, more extra clothes, and snacks are essential. But remember that you’ll have to clean all of it up before you get off the plane. Yay, you. All that being said, if you make it through the flights (there and back) without killing anyone, losing anyone, or just plain abandoning anyone, and I’d call it a success.
If you are going to try the Benadryl, try it at home first. Some kids get wired and hyper instead of sleepy! Make Shawn carry heavy stuff and you keep track of boarding passes and IDs. Make sure each kid has a bag/backpack with at least one extra change of clothes, snacks and small toys or books to entertain them. Good luck!
I’ve never traveled with kids. But I do travel on my own. I’m guilty of giving those looks when the kids are out of control. And I understand kids are going to be kids but don’t be one of those parents that doesn’t tell them anything. More than anything I’m upset with the mother or father who doesn’t tell her child to stop kicking my seat.
I’m sure you’re going to be okay. Everyone here has given you great advice. Best of luck!
How exciting!! Are yall going to Arizona??? If so, you need to get your mom to come up with an excuse that would have you leaving before everyone else!( She did just have knee surgery, right? you may need to play that card) Thats what I would do! Pawn them off on the dad, and pray they all make it later.. If not, well its still a win-win!!
I am appalled that you let my precious little cousins swallow gum! Don’t you remember Grandma Reba telling us that your ribs will stick together???
New toys/coloring books/crayons. New makes it seem like it’s more fun. Don’t break it all out at once either, at least for the younger ones. Give them one thing at a time so that they only get bored with one thing at a time rather than all at once. Lollipops for ears, for sure. Pick out everyones clothes for the flight (including your husbands) so you can get through security quicker. If you have an iPad, iPod touch, dvd player, whatever, bring it! Bring/buy a new movie for them to watch on said device or a favorite that always keeps their attention.
I would recommend you check said chilrun, husband, and all the chilrun related stuff as luggage upgrade yourself to first class and enjoy a cocktail!
For the kids: Do not drug them. Make sure they are well rested. They’ll take their cues from you. If you are calm and organized, it will help calm them. Bring snacks, sippy cups and quiet activities. A new box of crayons and a new coloring book or a new toy can be helpful. If they are small enough to still be in car seats, bring the car seats on board. They’ll be more comfortable (and more likely to sleep) if it’s in a familiar seat. I second the recommendation to have lollipops available for takeoff and landing. As for the husband: Do not drug him. Have an adult conversation with him and tell him you need his help with the kids. For all: Treat this as a fun adventure and ignore the glares of your fellow passengers. I’ve got three kiddos and have flown with them many, many times (with and without my husband). They’ll rise to the occasion if you set the expectation. It’s good to start young so they get used to it. Good luck!
Here is my advice. I say this as someone who just traveled with my hubby and 2 kids.
First of all, the good news is that the children no longer have to remove their shoes, so you have that step not to worry about.
Secondly, if you follow my advice, sure security and the getting to the gate will still suck, but the flight will be lovely.
You=fly first class.
Shaun + children=fly coach.
Trust me, it was by happenstance that it worked out that way for us…a combination of using miles and vouchers and well, now my friend, I don’t think we could ever travel any other way again. There I was up in the closed curtain area sipping my ice cold beverage reading my 27 back issues of People, while my hubby wrangled snacks and DVDs for 2 hours. Pure bliss.