Make Travel Hassle-Free!

Alison Gore — Fri, 28 Jun 2013 19:43:25 +0000

Unfortunately for parents, the word “travel” has become synonymous for “nightmare.” This blog post is dedicated to parents traveling with children this summer and a few easy tips on how to make the experience better!

Preparing for your trip:

It is important that your children are prepared for your trip physically and mentally. Make sure children know the vacation itinerary, how they are getting there, how to behave in the airport, plane, train or bus terminal, or car and an emergency plan in case they get separated from you in transit.
Get them excited for this adventure by enthusiastically introducing them to your vacation spot and method of traveling through photos, books, bedtime stories, and maps. Physically prepare them by stopping by the pediatrician for a check-up and verification that all vaccines are current before departing. If you are anxious about traveling with your child, talk to your pediatrician about your concerns.
If your family is flying, be sure to read up on your airline and airport prior to departure. Some airlines, such as JetBlue, offer pre-boarding for families with small children, making settling in for your trip easier. Familiarize yourself with the airport and TSA guidelines while packing in order to avoid any confusion, frustration, or delays in your trip. Look into creative luggage options for kids such as the “trunki,” a carry-on sized suitcase that your child can sit on and be wheeled through the airport (great for tired or cranky children!).

Whether you’re traveling by plane, train, or automobile this summer, stay safe & have fun!

The Day of:

With your introduction to the travel itinerary, emergency plan, and exciting adventures that await, your child should be eager for your vacation.
If your flight or train or bus is early, pack breakfast—this will allow them to wake up later, and give them something to do while waiting to leave.
On that note, make sure to wake children (and adults) up early enough to get dressed and out the door. Don’t cut it close—arrive at the airport or terminal at the recommended time or earlier to ensure you have plenty of time to make it through security with your rugrats as well as leisurely make it to the gate with all of your cargo.
Dress yourself and your children in comfy clothes, and most importantly, shoes!

Bottom Line:
Travel doesn’t have to be frustrating! Prepare in advance, get excited, and just relax. Even if you have a long day of travel, just remember all of the relaxing days of vacation ahead! Bon voyage!

Henry Takes Flight

Alison Gore — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 17:39:12 +0000

I’ve heard about it. I’ve seen people do it many times. I feared it to be honest, but the time had come. It was unavoidable. We were taking our first flight with a baby. I quickly sent out an S.O.S. memo to my “Baby Mamas” asking them for any travel tips they had, what to do about food/formula/gear for Henry, and how to get through security in the quickest and most efficient way—if that’s even possible for parents with young kids. Most of them had traveled and offered me a lot of great advice. I took their advice and packed a bottle for take off and landing, got some new toys that would entertain a 7 month old, had an extra change of clothes in case he had an explosion in his diaper (please, God, no!), and had everything strategically placed so I could unload it quickly while going through security.

I was still a tad nervous about how Henry would do on the plane. He doesn’t like to be held still for long periods of time, would be traveling during his fussiest time, and doesn’t fall asleep easily while being held. The kid likes to eat, move, poop, and move some more. None of those things are easy to deal with on a plane, let me tell you!

Henry looking out of our hotel room window

Surprisingly we got through security pretty quickly and painlessly. I was in charge of all the carry-on bags, and Bob was in charge of getting Henry, the stroller, and car seat through. We only had to wait about 25 minutes before we boarded the plane. Once we were on, Henry seemed happy and ready for his first flight. I laughed inwardly when I noticed no one making eye contact with us as we walked down the aisle. I knew what they were thinking, as I had thought it before myself, “please do not let them be sitting by me!” We made it to our very cramped and small seats and got settled in on our United Airlines flight.

Needless to say, Bob spent the majority of the flight in the back rocking Henry to sleep. Every time he got him asleep, an announcement would come on and Henry would wake up! Oh well, we survived! We even survived the flight back!

Our first ride on the NYC subway!

I was so confident in Henry’s abilities that I traveled by myself only a few weeks later to see my family in Detroit. This time I flew Southwest, which meant I could fly out of Midway instead of O’Hare (always a better choice…) I don’t know if it’s just because it was Southwest or because I was traveling alone, but everyone bent over backwards for me! The flight to Detroit wasn’t full so they let me bring the carseat on! Then the flight attendant told me how to place my bags so no one would sit with me and therefore i’d have a row to myself. I’m not sure if this was for my benefit or she felt sorry for anyone who would have to sit next to a mother and child! Either way, I wasn’t going to argue. Henry did pretty well. It wasn’t as stressful as I thought, and people actually smiled and commented on my “well-behaved child!” I didn’t get a row to myself on the way back, but Henry was in a super good mood, had the people around him enamored with his giggling and smiling, and a nice gentleman helped me with all my bags. (Thanks, stranger!)

Like all things in parenthood, you learn as you go. We’ve checked off flying with a baby off our list and look forward to the next adventure Bob and I take with Henry! Let’s keep our fingers crossed that our trip to Hawaii in December goes as well!

-Maureen is the Chicago city coordinator for LLD and a new mommy!

New York Nanny Center » flight

Make Travel Hassle-Free!

Henry Takes Flight