Flying internationally with a 20mth old and a young 3yr old. Are we going to be miserable?
![[Post New]](/jforum/templates/default/images/icon_minipost_new.gif){kind=icon}
Anonymous
|
We are flying to the middle east with our 20mth old and young 3yr old. We dont have an ipad and they dont really watch movies (so plane movies wont do the trick). Are we going to be miserable? We have stickers and books and coloring books ready but these will be 8hr and 6 hr flights!!!!!!!!!
|
Anonymous
| Ouch. Do you have smartphones you can load apps on? Lots and lots of snacks and treats? I mean I don't want to be a Debbie Downer but yeah, those will probably not be very pleasant flights. Bring lots of cash to buy drinks for people around you in case your kids get rowdy. |
Anonymous
| Make sure not to book 1st class. People are way less tolerate. |
Anonymous
| The short answer? Yes. But there are things you can do to mitigate the miserableness. Lots of new toys, dvds, etc. Just accept that it is going to be hell and you won't be disappointed - you'll be ready! |
Anonymous
|
Get a portable DVD player and bring movies. If they don't really watch movies, the novelty will be your friend.
|
Anonymous
| Don't know about you, but the people around you will probably be miserable. |
Anonymous
| Yup! You most definitely will. Prepare for worse case scenario and may be things will not end up being too bad. The flight there (most of them night flights) were easier for us than the returns here that are usually day flights. Most probably the children will sleep through the first legof the flight, but be prepared for the layover and the second flight to be more miserable. The nice thing about Middle East is that they r much more baby friendly, so very few get annoyed by children. In addition to the stuff ur taking, I would bring different trinkets, I read that advice here earlier and it helped, new small toys that they have not seen b4. Travel puzzle, etc.... Also bring their favorite snacks. |
Anonymous
|
Maybe, maybe not.
A lot depends on the timing of the flight and your kids' personalities. Preventive measures - burn off energy before the flight. Pack snacks (especially snacks that take a while to eat, but not too sugary), books, small toys, stickers, etc. Apps on your phone if you have a smartphone, and you may as well try some movies or kids' TV shows and see if they'll sit for them. |
Anonymous
Forgot to mention you can wrap books and toys and pack new ones they haven't seen before. |
Anonymous
| Benadryl |
Anonymous
|
Choose not to be miserable and it will make all the difference.
I used to be a stressed out traveler; but after one miserable (worst case scenario, overnight with baby and toddler in airport type thing) trip, i reailzed the kids do what i do. So now i make the trip the best part of the day. Get new toys, apps and snack. Put on your happiest face and keep it on - no. matter. what. Take whatever help anyone offers (including from that old lady who wants to talk to the toddler about her crazy cats  and try to go with the flow
good luck! |
Anonymous
| Sounds miserable to me. I have flown alone internationally with my 18 month old with an ipad and it was not fun. Flew back to the States when she was 2.5 and it was better b/c DH was there, still hard but not as bad. |
Anonymous
| Yes, it will suck, but if the longest flight is 8 hours, it will be tolerable. Did a 15 hour flight (well, 2 15 hour flights) with kids roughly those ages, and it was pretty special. |
Anonymous
| Flights are chock full of sociopaths so be prepared. |
Anonymous
Right... |