Flying with kids is probably in the top 10 hardest things you do as parents, somewhere below labor but above having having The Talk about the birds and the bees.
Flying with two kids—and no partner—is worse.
But, as I write in this month’s Metro Parent, taking flight with a toddler and a baby can also be an opportunity to open yourself up to the kindness of strangers.
Take a read here, or pick up a copy of Metro Parent in Portland!
I agree: it’s a tough thing. We started when our kids were babies to get them acclimated to travel by car and plane early on. I have some stories from those early days… but now I’m off to read your Metro Parent article! Congrats on the article!
I bet you have a few stories, Marlynn! Peeper was terrible in the car, but she’s *thankfully* gotten much better – as long as we have an endless supply of books to pass back to her. Thanks for clicking to the Metro Parent column!
Great article on how traveling with lil kids can never be 100% under control – despite any and all preparation beforehand – and as a childfree passenger believe me, I understand and sympathize. It’s the parents that don’t try to exert effort and let their kids run wild without any attempt at rules that are the problem – not 95% of the rest of traveling families. I still recall fondly on one shuttle flight where a dad and his lil daughter sang the whole 40 minute flight from Seattle together :O
Haha, I’m shocked Peeper didn’t pull that trick, too! The nonstop singing might have gotten a little old on a flight from San Diego, though. Eep!
Great article, Catherine! I had a good little laugh over, “apparently that little illuminated seatbelt sign means nothing to toddlers.” Honestly, I don’t know how parents do it. I don’t know how MY parents did it. I’d probably have a nuclear meltdown as soon as my kid started screaming. I’m glad the people on the flight were kind because I’ve seen some awful things on planes.
I thought I’d throw a tantrum, too, at a few choice moments, but we all made it!
Oh, I feel your pain! I haven’t had to fly solo with my kids, but even with my husband there it can be unbearable! It doesn’t help that airlines seem to go out of their way to make flying MORE uncomfortable (how do they survive as a business if they treat their customers like that????)