Figured I would take a second to say hi to ya'll. I'll probably be lurking around here for a bit. It looks like dh, ds1, soon to be ds2, and I will be moving overseas in the near future for dh's job transfer - probably early next year. We will likely be in Bangkok for a few years though we are still waiting to find out his contract. I'll be working as well and am still figuring out specifics. Anyone else in Bangkok?
we've done the international move a few times and are no strangers to living overseas. That said, this will be the first time living overseas with kids, though both will be young. I'm absolutely dreading the flight with a 14 month old and 2 month old by the time we move.
anyone have any flying tips for that age group? Also while we've been to Thailand a few times before, living there will obviously be a new experience. Thus welcome any tips from others who have lived there before, specifically what worked for you and what didn't. Also anything that made your lives easier.
Thanks in advance ladies! Look forward to joining ya'll!
Post by rupertpenny on Oct 25, 2015 19:51:21 GMT -5
The flight is going to suck, but then it will be over. My only real tip is to take the most direct route possible and to fly with an Asian carrier. In my experience both the crew and even fellow passengers are much more friendly and helpful with babies/toddlers on Asian airlines vs American ones. Distracting the older kid with an iPad is also a good idea. At that age B like Fisher Price apps and the TreeBetty zoo apps. There is also a Sandra Boynton app with full books. I downloaded youtube videos to a device using the RealPlayer app.
Welcome! I have never been to Bangkok but I know people who have and they loved it.
For the flight - i hope and pray your DS1 already likes TV shows and little ipad games. Will you be in business class?
I'm hoping for business class but I'm still not sure yet. We have a ton of points so it may be possible to upgrade but who knows. I know if we are able to upgrade, we will probably be the most popular ones in business class... Lol!. I'm sure the other passengers will hate us.
Alas, I'm trying to resign myself to the fact that out well just be one, really bad day, nothing more and nothing less.
Post by rupertpenny on Oct 25, 2015 22:42:35 GMT -5
toutsuite Are both of the children flying as lap children? We were this close to upgrading to business last Christmas when B was 16 months old and decided against it because of the seat configuration. We'd already purchased her her own seat and I couldn't imagine putting her in her own business class seat since they are so separate from each other and no one would really be next to her. No way could she handle that at 16 months. I would have done it if she was a lap child though.
toutsuite Are both of the children flying as lap children? We were this close to upgrading to business last Christmas when B was 16 months old and decided against it because of the seat configuration. We'd already purchased her her own seat and I couldn't imagine putting her in her own business class seat since they are so separate from each other and no one would really be next to her. No way could she handle that at 16 months. I would have done it if she was a lap child though.
We plan to get them their own seats though really the baby could easily be a lap baby at that age I would imagine. Ds1 I think no matter what will need his own seat. He gets into everything and I think it will just be easier if we can some how he'll keep him confined to his own seat. I don't know how realistic that is though lol.
The only way I could image it working in business class is if I was in one row of window seats with the baby and dh was in the row behind with ds1. This fully depends on the seat configurations with the airline though.
There used to be a Singapore airlines flight from ny to Singapore. I wish that still existed. We can get away with one layover but the layover times with some of the airlines are ridiculous. Otherwise we will be stuck with at least two layovers and that will just suck with the babies.
Yah it depends on the plane as to what kind of business class it is. Some planes you're still right next to each other. My kids were 3 when we sat in those closed off 1-2-1 configurations where you can't see or touch the person next to you unless you get out of your seat. Frankly, I was dreading that but it ended up being fine. But that was b/c they were old enough to zone out with an iPad. If my kids were 14m old they would be in a car seat. I hate dealing with car seats on planes, but I'd want my kid strapped down at that age. ESPECIALLY if you get the 1-2-1 closed off kind of configuration. I don't know if car seats fit in those seats but I assume they do. I'm sorry the flights from the US to Thailand suck so badly.
Oh and don't let anyone give you grief about having kids in business class. There were other kids in it too when we flew and honestly, it was the older kids who were the loudest b/c they talked the whole flight. Everyone else just wanted to watch movies and sleep.
Post by rupertpenny on Oct 26, 2015 1:02:57 GMT -5
They are bringing back that NY to SG flight, but not until 2018 or something equally unhelpful. Cathay flies direct from NY to HK and there are tons of flights from HK to BKK. That Cathay flight is my preferred route between the East Coast and HK.
The 2 month old will likely be fine. Bring some sort of baby carrier as s/he will just want to be cuddled most of the time I bet. If you can afford the extra seat than more room never hurts though it depends on the configuration in economy as well (2-4-2 versus 3-3 would be really different situations with 4 of you but I'm not even sure what I'd choose!)
We always had LO as a lap baby until she was over 2 but it's definitely much easier nowadays with her having her own seat!
Good luck, it sounds like an amazing adventure. I've never been to Bangkok so can't be of much practical help but I agree with everyone - try not to stress about the flights too much, it's just one day and will likely be rather horrible no matter what you do. Once it's over it's like it never happened :-)
As for the flights, you could get a vest with lots of little pockets, and fill them with little toys your older kid could open throughout the flight. Who doesn't like presents? Maybe like crayons or small sweets? We did this when we flew with a 2.5 year old, but not with a vest.
You also might want to see if a CARES harness will help.
With the little one, I've heard breastfeeding during take-off and landing helps with ear pressurization issues.
Post by UnderProtest on Oct 30, 2015 18:55:49 GMT -5
Definitely bring the little one's bucket seat. I flew when mine where 7 months old and they just passed out in the bucket car seats. For the older one, just bring snacks, toys, and TV. We get to fly business class when we fly for our home leave and our kids don't touch anything in their bags because they are so distracted with the tv on the plane and all the snacks. I have found the business class passengers to be really nice, much more than expected. We had a crazy flight attendant that tried to not give our 2.5 year old kids food because she thought they were still on formula. But all in all, people are good if they see you are trying.
toutsuite Are both of the children flying as lap children? We were this close to upgrading to business last Christmas when B was 16 months old and decided against it because of the seat configuration. We'd already purchased her her own seat and I couldn't imagine putting her in her own business class seat since they are so separate from each other and no one would really be next to her. No way could she handle that at 16 months. I would have done it if she was a lap child though.
We plan to get them their own seats though really the baby could easily be a lap baby at that age I would imagine. Ds1 I think no matter what will need his own seat. He gets into everything and I think it will just be easier if we can some how he'll keep him confined to his own seat. I don't know how realistic that is though lol.
The only way I could image it working in business class is if I was in one row of window seats with the baby and dh was in the row behind with ds1. This fully depends on the seat configurations with the airline though.
There used to be a Singapore airlines flight from ny to Singapore. I wish that still existed. We can get away with one layover but the layover times with some of the airlines are ridiculous. Otherwise we will be stuck with at least two layovers and that will just suck with the babies.
our first longhaul with two kids they were 3mo old and 18 mo so somewhat similar and we bought the older one a seat but we also brought her carseat which was the only way to get her to sleep or to keep her confined. For the baby when we fly in coach we request the bulkhead so that we could get the bassinet, although usually they say it is first come first serve at check in at the airport so no guarantee you will get it. I guess if you are all in bclass them bring both car seats and ask if your company will buy a seat both kids(ours did for first flight over). I dont know if bclass always has bassinets so thats why we brought both carseats, in coach we just bring one for the older kid and hope we get the bassinet for the baby until he is too big for their height/weight restrictions.
Hi! I flew to a neighboring Asian country in August with DH, DD (3.5y), and DS (2m). Like you, DH and I had moved internationally before but never with children. This was our first flight with two and longest flight for DD (she had done 10 hours before). Door to door, it was 31 hours but the kids did great. Loooooots of TV for DD and DS really snoozed quite a bit. We took Cathay via JFK and Hong Kong. Cathay was wonderful but if you have your heart set on the bucket seat, you will be disappointed. Kids over 3 can't take a car seat (on board, it was free to check for both kids) either but if I had had a slighter younger kid, I would brought her seat, let the baby sleep in it, and use the CARES harness for the older kid. We basically wore DS the bulk of the time but it did get tiring. We had a bassinet but he wast really into it. . Cathay was awesome about seat assignments though - really great.
I was just in BKK for work and sans kids earlier this week. My colleagues there with kids are pretty happy but I guess if you get unhappy, you can go for a $6 massage and make the world a bit brighter. Happy moving!
Oh also - the flights were much less horrible than I'd feared. I mean, it wasn't pleasant but the kids did pretty well, basically until our 30 minute final descent when DD's ears bugged. The flight attendants were the sweetest but my poor little girl was just beyond comfort, she was so tired. But seriously, that was only 30 minutes out of 30 hours that was actually agonizing.
Oh, and toddlejoy.com is a former BKK-based mom. I sometimes review her travel posts for regional ideas but there might be good local stuff there for you.
I'm starting to lurk on this board more as well since I am also looking into a work assignment overseas. We will be in Sri Lanka which is near Bangkok and our layovers are always in BKK. I've traveled there many times and love it. I think you will enjoy living there. Everyone has given good suggestions for flights already. Good luck!