CityMommy

Traveling overseas with kids - are you crazy!

Submitted By :

Natasha

After 6 years of traveling home to Australia with 3 children starting when they were all very young I have come across some great ways to make the long travel time easier.
CARES child aviation restraint is designed for young children between 22-44lb who are able to sit in their own airplane seat, it's much easier then dragging around car seats! It keeps kids in their seat safer and able to sleep similar to that of a car seat - http://www.kidsflysafe.com There is also a similar product for lap held babies to make it easier and allot safer it's called Baby B'Air Flight Vest -http://babybair.com/
If you need both a stroller and car seat try the sit and stroll, they are great for the flight as well as getting between destinations on arrival. Be aware that they aren't great for all outdoor areas as the wheel are very small and bumps make things very hard! http://www.babyearth.com/sit-stroll.html
If traveling at night start the flight in play clothes then when it's time to sleep change into PJ's, brush teeth and read a book similar to your normal bedtime routine.
Think carefully about what seats you ask for, the seats near the restrooms are only going to keep the kids awake with the light and people talking likewise for the seats near the food prep area. If traveling with a newborn be sure to ask for the wall bassinet, I once traveled with a 2, 3 and 3 month old and the airlines happily gave me a cardboard bassinet type thing to put on the FLOOR at my feet! They don't allow adults or children to sleep on the floor why would they allow a 3 month old!
Have your child pack their own small bag with some new activities inside, don't allow them to bring all their toys and activities out at once, spread them over the flights time.
Don't over pack! When you are tired at the other end you don't want to be dragging extra baggage around!
Be patient, the flight time will end...soon!
At your destination let your kids have a nap if they want but don't let them over sleep, you then need to keep them awake until normal bedtime in the country you have arrived in, forget the time of where you came from, you have to adjust the first day to the new time. Allow the nap if need be during that first day, not 5 hours just a 2 hours at the most, then later bed for a wonderful well needed sleep by everyone!

Happy Travels!