Advice for flying with 3 year old

[chikastuff]

I'm flying alone with DS for the first time since he was eight months. Any suggestions for surviving the flight? We have a window and middle seat in the back of the plane and our flight leaves late in the afternoon. It's direct, so I'm hoping he falls asleep. Omg I don't even want to think about him being awake for the entire trip!!

Also, what are the chances of the gate agent or the person in the aisle seat of our row switching seats with my brother who's on the same flight bug in a middle seat at the front of the plane? Does an aisle outweigh sitting next to a toddler and his frazzled mom??

[y4m]

I would happily switch aisle in the back next to toddler for middle in the front, for what it's worth. The problem is I'd need to know early enough to get my bag up front or it's useless. Maybe BIL can take a spot up front and attempt a trade.

[rootbeerfloat]

How long is the flight?

[chikastuff]

6.5 hours. Boston to SFO

[rootbeerfloat]

OK, pretty long. Fingers crossed that he naps at least part of the way!

I rely on snacks, DVDs/electronic devices, coloring books, sticker books, etc.

[Deleted]

No way I'd give up an aisle for a middle, sorry. I have a kid so they don't really faze me.

Hopefully he'll sleep at least part of the way if you delay his nap. Can you bring an iPad? I also bring stickers, lollipops, coloring books and regular books. I'm sure it'll be fine. At 3, my DD loves flying.

[ECB]

6.5 hour flight? Sadly, I probaby wouldnt want to switch seats. Sorry. Less than 3 hours? Maybej.

[frlcb]

I doubt people will switch either, but you should talk to the agent and see if they can do something. They may be able to move people around.

Bring new toys/books/snacks, bring an ipad/tablet/headphones. Bring a change of clothes.

[lasagnasshole]

Whiskey on the gums?

[chikastuff]

Benadryl in an applesauce pouch?!?!!



Kidding

[Deleted]

Sorry but I wouldn't give up an aisle seat for your middle seat for that long of a flight. But I'd keep watching the flight to make sure a row of three doesn't open up closer to the flight. I've seen that happen with flights I've been on.

And my advice for anyone traveling with a kid is to make sure everyone has a change of clothes in the carry on. You never know when a kid gets sick.

[y4m]

Yeah 6.5 hours is a lot to do back aisle for close middle. 3 hours or so being close might outweigh the middleness.

[imojoebunny]

Go to the dollar store, buy $10 worth of new toys, you will be good. They have TV's in each seat on most flights. Get the headphones, or take some for him. You will be just fine. I think it is unlikely that anyone will switch seats with your brother, unless you put his nephew on his lap:-). My kids love flying, going and are excited, and are almost always so tired on the way home, they sleep. I feared it a bit at every age, but they have always been champs about it. Take some snacks too if you have a picky, I have failed on that one. DS once ate only 8 cookies for a 6 hour lunch time flight. Squeeze apple sauce, or whatever your kid likes that you can get through security or buy after.

[ellipses84]

Take lots of snacks, stickers, coloring stuff, books and a few small toys. I take DS' car seat on the plane because it is so nice to have him strapped in and he's more likely to sleep. We have a Brica rolling cart for it, but the seat won't fit rolling down the aisle of a lot of planes so I end up having to lift it above the seats. It is a huge PITA, but still worth having, for me. We get on the plane early and are always the last ones off.

[ellipses84]

Apr 15, 2014 20:43:13 GMT -5 @melissainabq said:

And my advice for anyone traveling with a kid is to make sure everyone has a change of clothes in the carry on. You never know when a kid gets sick.

This too!

[lilac05]

Choose the toys you pack wisely. Have him help you decide which ones to take & then take some stuff he hasn't seen in awhile. Buy some new stuff at the dollar store, too. The best thing I ever started doing was controlling which toys he has and when. I don't let him have the whole bag the whole time. I start with giving toys that are the least interesting and save the "big guns" (favorite toys, iPad, movies, etc) for later. If I give him all of the stuff right away, each toy lasts about 2 minutes and he's bored in no time. If I only give him one, many times we never even make it to his favorite toys!

You may or may not have luck finding someone who will switch seats, but you & your brother could switch for a bit in the middle of the flight. You can get a break, it's a change of scenery for your little guy, and it shouldn't be a big deal for your brother.

[Deleted]

I wouldn't switch to a middle seat for a flight that long--but I would ask at the gate if they have seats together (get there early).
We usually bring some small new toys so if my DS starts to get antsy, I pull out something. Pipe cleaners, colors, stickers, a new book, new cars--all small cheap things. We found some of those magnetic boards--one was a construction site--DS played with that for at least an hour.

[coffeebean]

small toys, coloring book and crayons, a leap pad or ipad and like PP said, most planes have tvs in the seats, so bring some ear buds (you can get a set at the dollar store) so he can watch something on that (I think the last few flights, cartoon network has been an option). I always pack a couple juice boxes in the kiddo's "liquids" bag, and fill a sippy cup with water after the security check before bording the plane. I make the kiddo sip juice or water during the take off and landing so her ears don't pop. Squeeze applesauce pouches, animal crackers and chex mix are great snacks too.

[audette]

For a six hour flight, it's very unlikely I'd give up a aisle seat.

(not a parent, so take this for what you will)

Most of the toddler/little kids I've seen on flights have been pretty well behaved. The biggest issue you may run into (that I have noticed) is that a lot of kids that age kick the seat in front of them, so you may need to watch for that. But, otherwise, be armed with some toys and snacks, and you'll probably be fine.

As a traveler, I realize that kids that act out on flights usually aren't doing it on purpose. So long as the parent is trying to keep a handle on things, I'll generally be perfectly OK with whatever the outcome is. I'm flying in coach, it's not like I can expect there to not be some discomfort on the flight. Heck, I've seen much worse and much more disruptive behavior from adults than I have ever seen from a child... (I am _never_ going to forget the long-haul flight I was on with the cast from Mama Mia that decided to booze it up and get nasty drunk and noisy and party all bloody 12+ hours of that flight...)

[bunnysmom]

I read that someone here, I don't remember who, brings playdough when flying with her kids. I thought that was a great idea to keep them entertained!

I think that the fact that you're asking for suggestions here is a good indicator that you'll be considerate towards the other passenger. My sister, for example, sits nonchalantly in her seat while her kids throw their shoes and snacks at other people!