Toddlers on a Plane

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:why on earth are you determined to take two small kids to a family funeral? Either drag your husand along or leave at least ONE kid at home with him. this is going to be hell and I have traveled a LOT with my two year old. at a minimum, every kids needs a seat. The kids are going to take all the new toys you have throw them on the floor over and over as a "game" (learned my lesson that one). Videos for the three year, maybe some books. TONS of snacks and benadryl. Holy cow, changing diapers? if it was just pee and you had the whole row to yourself I would overlook you doing that in the seat. But you cant change poop in the seat. How are you managing two kids in an aiprort bathroom. Call the airline to see if they even have changing tables in the bathroom, half don't. Im kind of stunned you are even entertaining this idea OP. I am guessing you feel like as long as you have to go home you might as well drag the kids for a family visit. This is such a bad idea I don't even know where to start. Can you pay to fly a nanny with you?

OP here. Since you asked: I am posted overseas in a country that's generally safe but really you don't go leaving kids with a nanny because there's a whole lot that could go very wrong very quickly. Husband flew home on very short notice last week, arriving hours before his Mom died. Not going to be with him or his family (with whom I am very close) seems inconceivable. So, no, it won't be fun, but I'll get through it. Even if they throw all the toys on the floor (which admittedly they absolutely will). Thanks for all the very helpful suggestions across the thread!

[Anonymous]

OP I have done this in very similar circumstances. DH and I were posted in Africa and came back for Thanksgiving. Whilst here, his dad got very sick and was taken into hospital. i had to fly back on my own with the kids at the same age. I found it really daunting and couldn't see how I would make it work. In the end it was ok because it had to be. I'd recommend pipe cleaners as brilliant things that take no space but kids will spend hours playing with, tying the together and making shapes. lots and lots and lots of snacks. Smile a lot at the people around you and ask for help when you need it. If you are coming through heathrow, either pay to spend the layover in a lounge or search out the kids play area which I think is in terminal three but not sure about that one.

Good luck and sorry you have to go through this. Family deaths when posted overseas are the worst.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP I have done this in very similar circumstances. DH and I were posted in Africa and came back for Thanksgiving. Whilst here, his dad got very sick and was taken into hospital. i had to fly back on my own with the kids at the same age. I found it really daunting and couldn't see how I would make it work. In the end it was ok because it had to be. I'd recommend pipe cleaners as brilliant things that take no space but kids will spend hours playing with, tying the together and making shapes. lots and lots and lots of snacks. Smile a lot at the people around you and ask for help when you need it. If you are coming through heathrow, either pay to spend the layover in a lounge or search out the kids play area which I think is in terminal three but not sure about that one.

Good luck and sorry you have to go through this. Family deaths when posted overseas are the worst.

Thanks, PP. And sorry to hear you had to do this too. You are right: in the end, it is okay because it has to be.

We made it, exhausted but in one piece, yesterday afternoon. It wasn't anyone's idea of a good time, but the kids were real troopers, and we got some help from some extraordinarily kind people along the way: the grandma who smiled at my three year old, who was crying hysterically after being woken up to board a plane at 3 am, and offered her a rice Krispy treat; the man at the coffee shop who not only didn't mind when we invaded his quiet table but proclaimed us "kind of entertaining, actually"; and, not least, the family of refugees being resettled by IOM, who kept insisting that we get in line ahead of them. That sure helped keep things in perspective.

The suggestions on this board we're fantastic too. A backpack full of not very healthy snacks and silly toys wrapped up like presents got us a long way. Thanks again to all, and best of luck to everyone traveling with little ones this Thanksgiving.

[Anonymous]

a flight attendant would be happy to sit with your toddler if you need to use the restroom or take the baby to change. (i would change them at the seat if i have the row to myself)
prepare for the worst and it will likely be far better. and eventually the flight will land.
best of luck!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP I have done this in very similar circumstances. DH and I were posted in Africa and came back for Thanksgiving. Whilst here, his dad got very sick and was taken into hospital. i had to fly back on my own with the kids at the same age. I found it really daunting and couldn't see how I would make it work. In the end it was ok because it had to be. I'd recommend pipe cleaners as brilliant things that take no space but kids will spend hours playing with, tying the together and making shapes. lots and lots and lots of snacks. Smile a lot at the people around you and ask for help when you need it. If you are coming through heathrow, either pay to spend the layover in a lounge or search out the kids play area which I think is in terminal three but not sure about that one.

Good luck and sorry you have to go through this. Family deaths when posted overseas are the worst.

Thanks, PP. And sorry to hear you had to do this too. You are right: in the end, it is okay because it has to be.

We made it, exhausted but in one piece, yesterday afternoon. It wasn't anyone's idea of a good time, but the kids were real troopers, and we got some help from some extraordinarily kind people along the way: the grandma who smiled at my three year old, who was crying hysterically after being woken up to board a plane at 3 am, and offered her a rice Krispy treat; the man at the coffee shop who not only didn't mind when we invaded his quiet table but proclaimed us "kind of entertaining, actually"; and, not least, the family of refugees being resettled by IOM, who kept insisting that we get in line ahead of them. That sure helped keep things in perspective.

The suggestions on this board we're fantastic too. A backpack full of not very healthy snacks and silly toys wrapped up like presents got us a long way. Thanks again to all, and best of luck to everyone traveling with little ones this Thanksgiving.

So pleased to here this OP. It's funny isn't it that kids sense when you really need them to be on your side. Mine too were amazing on our similar journey. Glad you made it back and best wishes for the funeral.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

I thought this thread was about a new horror movie.

I have a mental image of Samuel L. Jackson shouting about the "Motherf***ing toddlers on the motherf***ing plane!"

Can't. Stop. Laughing!!