Do’s and don’ts: Air traveling with kids

Toddlers and young ones are known to be fussy. If you have traveled by air, you must have encountered at least a few kids who were busy throwing their food or worse, throwing tantrums. But what if you are traveling on the plane with your kids? How do you deal with the desperation of taking care of your kids?

Well, traveling with the kids can be torturous, but here are some do’s and don’ts you can try to make sure that the travel is an adventure and not a misadventure.

Do’s

1. Pack toys: Yes, the best way to distract toddlers is to pack toys. And if you can’t pack toys then opt for gadgets. Phones, iPods and walkman are remarkable distractions. Or else, you can try Etch a Sketch. This will entertain the kids and keep them mess free.
2. Pay attention: Sometimes parents avoid paying attention to their toddlers so that they don’t have to deal with them anymore. But most of the times, this becomes a nuisance for other travelers. So, pay attention to what your kid is doing and intervene if necessary.
3. Pack unseen ‘surprises’: Yes, there are times when kids act remarkably well behaved. So, tell your kids that if they behave properly, then you would surprise them with a gift. This shall motivate them to be quiet and show good behavior. Try things like a set of cars or a doll for the same.
4. Utilize the washroom: If the tantrum doesn’t go away then utilize the washroom. The environment in a washroom would be quieter, for you, for the child and for the fellow passengers too. Here you can calm and soothe your child.
5. Prepare kids: It is best to tell your kids beforehand that they need to travel through airplane. Tell them stories about flights and how the world looks from the sky.

Don’ts

1. Over pack: If you are traveling with your kid, avoid over packing stuff in the bag you carry on the flight. C’mon, there is no need to carry four diapers. Too much baggage will only lead to chaos.
2. Stroller: Check if the stroller can be stowed during your flight. Opt for smaller and lighter model.
3. Freak: Don’t create a freak show in front of fellow passengers. Even if your child is screaming, don’t yell! Rather take him to the washroom or follow a list of pointers from dos sections.
4. Worry about people: Kids might force you to be concerned about what others are thinking, but there is no point in being worried about other people. Yes, there are a few who would glare and roll their eyes, but you should rather focus your attention to the child. Plus, be nice to the flight attendants, they just might be your savior on a bad day.