Am I crazy for even considering this?

[Anonymous]

I have a son and twin daughters and I am thinking about traveling with them alone to see best friend for 40th b-day. This person is like a sister to me and as important as closest family so trip is important to me. DH cannot get away. Her father has been very sick so she has used most of her resources (time off and $$) traveling to her parents.

When I travel DC would be 2 1/2 and girls about 9 months. I can get someone to go to the gate with me and my friend could meet me on the other end. Not sure I can do it with a direct flight so may have to switch planes.

Any optimism?

[Anonymous]

Tough call without knowing the temprament of your children (and you!).

If you are comfortable taking all 3 of your kids out and about, without extra hands, when at home, I think you would find the flights manageable, though definitely more difficult...for example, getting up to pee mid-flight might be a challenge. Under the circumstance, I would buck "good manners" and do any diaper changes at your seat. One very real challenge may be the ability to get seats together. If you were planning on a seat for everybody, you probably won't get 4-across on a smaller domestic flight. But perhaps you could do 3 seats and hold on to one of your daughters through the flight(s). Even with a sling, this may present logistical challenges when confined to a small space for many hours.

Do you have a local friend or relative that would be interested in a free weekend trip to wherever you are going (if you can afford it) that could help you out?

[Anonymous]

I'm wondering how you could even enjoy time with your friend with 3 very small children to care for and traveling to boot. Either hire a mothers helper or nanny to go with you or ask your friend to come see you (and pay for it). Also out of 3 kids you can assume one will get sick while traveling. That alone would deter me - nothing worse than traveling with a sick child.

[Anonymous]

How long of a flight? And will the flight span over anybody's nap time?
Also, are you comfortable carrying two babies (9 mo.) and holding the hand of a toddler along with the diaper bag, purse, etc as you board the plane? I am not sure if the flight attendants are allowed to help you carry children.

PP brought up a good point about having to care for three youngins' while trying to enjoy a quality visit with a friend. That doesn't seem to really make sense unless most of the visiting is after hours while the children are asleep.

[Anonymous]

OP here - Thanks for all the thoughts. My friend is also my oldest child's Godmother and she has not seen our twin girls yet, so she would love to see kids also. She does not have children and so loves to spend time with all of us - my kids are her pseudo-surragates more or less. She (and her husband) really like us to come there from time to time. We often go hiking, biking, etc. She has friends/spouse that would watch DC for one night so we could have quality time without kids also so that is not an issue.

I am pretty comfortable getting around with all 3 at home. I take all 3 for walks and to do errands as DH works long hours and many weekends. I am thinking the flight would be 3 hours and then another 1 to 1 1/2 hours.

I know with our oldest it was much easier traveling before he was 1 y.o. so I was thinking it would be easier to go sooner versus later. I don't think I would want to take 2 toddlers and a 3 y.o.

Thansk again.

[Anonymous]

Mom of twins here. ITA you should go for it now before twins get older. Your friend really sounds like family, so being with the kids is a main point of the trip, right? Definitely check with the airlines about their seating policies re: oxygen masks. Some airlines get all weird about how many kids in a row. TSA screens seem more family-friendly these days.

Hope it works out

[Anonymous]

I think you are a bit crazy! I'm impressed with your energy and ability to multi-task.

I think it would be much easier for you, and cheaper, to buy your friend a ticket to come and visit you. Especially if she doesn't have kids of her own. Even if you went to a hotel for the weekend to get away from the house, you would probably still save money considering the amount you'll pay for 4 seats on a plane.

[Anonymous]

You are brave, but I am sure you can do it. A couple of ideas to get through the airport - get a backpack carrier and carry one child on your back and then a cheap double stroller. When you board, you can put one twin in the backpack, carry the other (or put in a Bjorn - yes I know it would be a lot of equipment) and toddler can walk. The backpack we had also had room for stuff, so we were able to avoid a diaper bag (although it would probably only hold the essentials for you). As dorky as they look, you may want a fanny pack so you don't have to worry about carrying a purse.

Good luck!

[Anonymous]

I worry about the logistics in getting on and off the plane since it would be shocking if someone were to help you. Also, as a PP mentioned I know there is a rule in some smaller planes that there can only be one child per row b/c of oxygen masks so if you were to plan on having both babies in your lap (which they probably would not allow) and your toddler next to you it may be tough. On the other hand if you buy a seat for one of the twins and then have your 2.5 year old sit in its own seat then you'd have to tote a carseat for the baby and you won't have the hands necessary to get everyone situated. Sorry to be a negative nelly but I've done it solo with two and have found it challenging but not impossible. The hardest part frankly was making sure the baby did not fall of the seat while I was strapping in the infant car seat with everyone in line behind huffing and puffing at the delay since now there is no pre-boarding for most airlines. Throwing another baby into the mix would definitely stop me from doing it - espec. if you have to change planes. I'd do what a PP said and buy a ticket for your friend.

[Anonymous]

I travelled alone with my a 2 year old and infant (not twins, though) several times. It was hard getting a car seat and the kids on the plane, but I found having the seat truly invaluable during the flight because the two year old slept better in it. I'm not sure how you would be able to handle a car seat(s) with that many kids, though, if you plan to transfer. I would recommend a direct flight if at all possible.

Every time I flew alone with the kids at those ages it was for a short flight (just over two hours). There are so many things that can go wrong - delays on the ground, no seats together, or a sick child.

Why don't you pay to have your friend come visit you? You could both celebrate her 40th by going out together and she could spend time with the kids as well.