Flying With Children Part One: Flying Forethought

Getting ready to catch a flight is never easy especially with children, but the effort is rewarded by a smooth and effortless flight. Follow these tips:

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Carry On:

Pack each child their own small backpack to carry on their back through the airport. It needs to fit easily under the seat in front of them, be easy to access and not more than half full. Fill each one with a sticker book, pipe cleaners, a klutz activity book, a book and magazine to read, a bag of snacks, etc. Pack a separate bag with other important stuff- extra clothes, diapers, medication as well as a DVD player. This separate bag can go in the overhead bin. Pack a mother's carry-on bag with a few diaper changing essentials, a couple of magazines, a book and snacks for yourself and the baby. Less is best. I recommend a carry-on bag for yourself that has a long strap to sling over your head and across your body. This prevents the bag from constantly falling off your shoulder, frees up your hands, and is easier to get off than a back pack.

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Checked baggage:

When traveling alone with children rolling suitcases or duffle bags are essential. Use lots of the extra large Ziplock bags. Each child gets four- one for their pants, one for their shirts, one for their underclothing and socks, and one for their pajamas. Label the bags. Squeeze the air out of the bags and throw them in a rolling duffle bag all together. Put all the shoes in a separate suitcase.

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