Diane Cordell is the mother of two adult, married children. In her position as a K-12 teacher/librarian, she interacts with students of all ages on a daily basis - good practice for future grandchildren! You can read more about Diane here. Diane also blogs at Journeys and can be found on Twitter as dmcordell. Click here to read more of Diane’s posts.
I’ve been away at a conference, which meant some air time for myself and my husband. Both of our children are grown and married. Hubby suffers from selective memory when it comes to “normal” behavior of little ones.
FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) regulations permit youngsters under the age of two to ride as “lap children” to save their parents the expense of purchasing an extra ticket. The agency recommends the use of an FAA-approved safety harness as a better choice, however, when the option of a separate seat is feasible.
Long airplane rides in cramped quarters can result in restless, cranky children so come prepared. Have some snacks and juice available in your carry-on luggage. Pack a variety of small books, toys, and other distractions. One tiny tot on our flight home had a pint-sized monkey backpack, which not only held a few playthings but also doubled as a stuffed toy. Eddie Bauer offers one model that doubles as a harness, to help prevent children from wandering away from their parents.
Changing air pressure can cause ear problems. Flight attendants suggest giving a baby their bottle at take-off and landing to minimize pain and provide relaxation. Older children, who don’t know how to pop their ears, might benefit from earplugs.
Dress kids in comfortable clothing and bring a sweater for cold cabin temperatures. Veteran parent-flyers recommend packing an extra outfit for both yourself and your child, in case of minor accidents en route. Always carry a travel pack of baby wipes, to help with emergency cleanups.
Try to be sensitive to other passengers’ comfort. If your child becomes upset or noisy, do what you can to soothe them and offer a word of apology to your neighbors.
Even curmudgeons respond well to a sincere “sorry”. Your courtesy might lead to an impromptu game of hide and seek between a would-be grump and a distracted toddler.
If any of you have additional tips or anecdotes, please share. Young parents need all the help they can get to make traveling an adventure rather than an ordeal!




