Stroller hating 3yo at the airport

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have travelled with those ages. Everyone walks. bc of the same issue (whiny older kid), I stopped used strollers when the younger one was around 1.5 years.

This is what I’m leaning towards but how did you manage 3yo when your hands had to be full (eg before you got your luggage checked in, when you were focused on getting it off the belt, when you were providing cards etc to a rental car person). It’s those moments in particular where I feel like I need a way way to force him to stay put. They’re all boys and the 3 and 5 yo are particularly high energy, silly, and wind each other up

DP here
You can't. I have 4 boys (adults now) that were about two years apart each and they were also very active. There is no magic solution here. Your choices are:
A) strap your 3 year old in a stroller, even if he screams the entire time
B) spend 95% of your time chasing him, begging him to stay still, and possibly losing your temper and yelling
C) Find another adult to take this trip with you
D) Don't go on this trip.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have travelled with those ages. Everyone walks. bc of the same issue (whiny older kid), I stopped used strollers when the younger one was around 1.5 years.

This is what I’m leaning towards but how did you manage 3yo when your hands had to be full (eg before you got your luggage checked in, when you were focused on getting it off the belt, when you were providing cards etc to a rental car person). It’s those moments in particular where I feel like I need a way way to force him to stay put. They’re all boys and the 3 and 5 yo are particularly high energy, silly, and wind each other up

You talk to your eldest and say you need special help from him a few times during the trip to hold the 3 yr olds hand while you deal with luggage or talk to a gate agent or rental car person. Explain it's not his job to keep track of his brother but you just need him to hold his hand for a few moments when your hands are full. You also prep the 3 and 5 year old and explain that at the airport it's extra important that you always be able to see them and that they do what you ask. Of course they will push the limits of this but you set the expectation and remind them on the day so they understand this is different than being at the playground or even just walking around your neighborhood.

It sounds like the issue is really not the 3 yr old being able to walk but just feeling nervous about keeping track of all 3 of them at the airport. I'd view this as a good learning experience for all three and prep them for it but also try to keep it fun. Ensure everyone is fed and rested.

Also I'm sure you know this but giving the 3 yr old some kind of new toy or activity on the day of the trip can help a ton with compliance as he'll be more engaged in the toy. Trips like this are when my kids have gotten special access to electronics as well. Anything that will boost their ability to sit still while waiting for a plane or on the plane itself.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have travelled with those ages. Everyone walks. bc of the same issue (whiny older kid), I stopped used strollers when the younger one was around 1.5 years.

This is what I’m leaning towards but how did you manage 3yo when your hands had to be full (eg before you got your luggage checked in, when you were focused on getting it off the belt, when you were providing cards etc to a rental car person). It’s those moments in particular where I feel like I need a way way to force him to stay put. They’re all boys and the 3 and 5 yo are particularly high energy, silly, and wind each other up

You know your kids better than us. If 2 out of your 3 kids can’t be reliably counted on to not run off if you are not physically holding their hand then you need to rethink your travel plans. If it were me, and your 3 yr old is completely feral and your 5 yr old is going to exacerbate things and also not listen, you have no business trying to fly solo with them

[Anonymous]

Check out the Lugabug

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have travelled with those ages. Everyone walks. bc of the same issue (whiny older kid), I stopped used strollers when the younger one was around 1.5 years.

This is what I’m leaning towards but how did you manage 3yo when your hands had to be full (eg before you got your luggage checked in, when you were focused on getting it off the belt, when you were providing cards etc to a rental car person). It’s those moments in particular where I feel like I need a way way to force him to stay put. They’re all boys and the 3 and 5 yo are particularly high energy, silly, and wind each other up

You know your kids better than us. If 2 out of your 3 kids can’t be reliably counted on to not run off if you are not physically holding their hand then you need to rethink your travel plans. If it were me, and your 3 yr old is completely feral and your 5 yr old is going to exacerbate things and also not listen, you have no business trying to fly solo with them

This is a fair point. There are certain periods in parenting where you just have to say "we can't do this trip right now." I do think part of this is a problem of having three kids this young but also age 3 or 4 can just be a hard time to travel for certain kids regardless of how many kids you have. You might just need to wait a year or two before you can do a solo trip with them and in the meantime work on the skills they will need in order to make this kind of trip feasible for you.

[Anonymous]

Do you need a car seat? We used to attach the carseat to our suitcase and lug the youngest around in that. You can get a strap to attach the car seat for 10 bucks on amazon.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Do you need a car seat? We used to attach the carseat to our suitcase and lug the youngest around in that. You can get a strap to attach the car seat for 10 bucks on amazon.

Sorry- I read too quickly and thought you didn't have a stroller anymore. But I agree with pps that you will want to have a place to strap someone in if needed, whether it be a stroller, leash, carseat, etc.

[Anonymous]

Cancel the trip.

[Anonymous]

A few things I'd think about.

One is establishing a rule that they either hold the stroller (on opposite sides so they can't rile each other up) or sit in the stroller strapped in. Take some neighborhood trips with with rule, so you can sort out the tantrums that will happen the first few times it happens.

Get someone to come with you to the airport, and get a gate pass and go through security with you. Explain that your kids have special needs (not saying they do, just say it) and you need the help. You can hire a neighborhood teen or someone from Care.com.

Check everything but backpacks so your hands are free in the airport.

[Anonymous]

Just traveled with my 3 and 6 year old, everyone walked and we never really considered any other options. Both of us were there though. 3 year old did grab onto my husband's rolling bag and he pulled him through that way for awhile. That was more for fun though. I plan to travel alone with both of them in one month and just plan to have them walk. Both kids clothes were in one kids rolling bag and they took turns pulling that. Packing light is probably the key. When I'm alone with them I'll have my 6 year old pull the rolling bag and 3 year old hold my hand while I pull the other rolling bag. Honeslty when the 3 year old was pulling the kid rolling bag he was fast and happy because he loved the task so maybe I'll switch it!

[Anonymous]

Do you have someone who can drive you to the airport? If so, I'd get out of the car and check in all luggage curbside with a SkyCap. Let your driver keep the kids in the car -- they can do a loop around the airport if they have to. After bags are checked, get kids out of the car and walk them to security. I'd also do the leash backpack for the 3 year old. Thoughts and prayers OP.

[Anonymous]

I have three, and my youngest is also a high energy boy who loves to push my buttons (especially when he was 3!). I’d have no qualms about a leash backpack if I had to take a flight alone with my kids. Skip the stroller— sounds you won’t be using it at your destination anyway, and security will make you fold it up to put through the scanner, or go through a pat down instead, which would be difficult with three kids. Consider one of those ride-on suitcases as a stroller alternative.

I also like the idea of a friend or babysitter tagging along to the gate on the way there!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have three, and my youngest is also a high energy boy who loves to push my buttons (especially when he was 3!). I’d have no qualms about a leash backpack if I had to take a flight alone with my kids. Skip the stroller— sounds you won’t be using it at your destination anyway, and security will make you fold it up to put through the scanner, or go through a pat down instead, which would be difficult with three kids. Consider one of those ride-on suitcases as a stroller alternative.

I also like the idea of a friend or babysitter tagging along to the gate on the way there!

Don’t you need a ticket and boarding pass to go to the gate?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have three, and my youngest is also a high energy boy who loves to push my buttons (especially when he was 3!). I’d have no qualms about a leash backpack if I had to take a flight alone with my kids. Skip the stroller— sounds you won’t be using it at your destination anyway, and security will make you fold it up to put through the scanner, or go through a pat down instead, which would be difficult with three kids. Consider one of those ride-on suitcases as a stroller alternative.

I also like the idea of a friend or babysitter tagging along to the gate on the way there!

Don’t you need a ticket and boarding pass to go to the gate?

You can go to the counter and ask for a gate pass for someone to help you. You need to give a reason to help, but 3 young kids, one of whom needs a hand to hold at all time, is a reason.

I think you might be able to pay a skycap to help you, but I am not sure.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have three, and my youngest is also a high energy boy who loves to push my buttons (especially when he was 3!). I’d have no qualms about a leash backpack if I had to take a flight alone with my kids. Skip the stroller— sounds you won’t be using it at your destination anyway, and security will make you fold it up to put through the scanner, or go through a pat down instead, which would be difficult with three kids. Consider one of those ride-on suitcases as a stroller alternative.

I also like the idea of a friend or babysitter tagging along to the gate on the way there!

Don’t you need a ticket and boarding pass to go to the gate?

You can go to the counter and ask for a gate pass for someone to help you. You need to give a reason to help, but 3 young kids, one of whom needs a hand to hold at all time, is a reason.

I think you might be able to pay a skycap to help you, but I am not sure.

DP here
But how will OP handle retrieving her bags at the luggage claim? And standing in line/talking to the employee at the rental car desk, especially if she has to fill out any forms?