Yesterday my husband booked our tickets for Flights #53, 54, 55, 56 and 57 with children in tow. We’re excited about traveling around to visit everyone. We’ll get to introduce Judson to our friends and family, blue skies, Texas, and taxes.
Last night I was thinking about ways to best prepare for our summer whirlwind of traveling, speaking and training. I thought of three options:
A) Denial. Don’t do anything. Just meditate on all the white cheese dip from Senor Tequila’s you are about to eat and hope for the best.
B) Panic. Get the hiccups every time someone asks, “Are you ready to leave home and be on the road for a couple months?”
C) Strategize. If your palms start to feel sweaty just thinking about packing and jetlag with three kids and long hours in the car– just breathe. Then go get some tepid coffee from the kitchen. Then procrastinate for 15 minutes on RSS feeds. Then fasten your seatbelt and put your tray table in its upright position and get to work.
I’m giving myself freedom to vacillate among all three options, so long as I end up at “C” in about a month. Thankfully I’ve kept computer files of all the lists and documents I’ve created for trips past. Now all I have to do is take the time to update my files, create a few new files, follow through on the packing strategy, and meditate on waffle fries.
This is a picture of what my children look like on an airplane. Just look at those little angels! Reading books and sitting quietly not whining while thinking about obedience and long-division and long-suffering.
Check out the leg room and food in First Class! That’s what I’ve heard, anyway.
And here’s a more realistic picture. One kid wants off the plane yesterday. One kid is actually having fun. And one kid is going bananas. They will alternate these roles every hour for the first 15 hours, then every 10 minutes for the last 3 hours. Layovers are wild cards.
In honor of pushing the Purchase button for Flights #53-57, I’ve put together a list of everything I’ve written on here about flying with babies:
- Part 1: General info (start here)
- Part 2: Packing for the plane
- Part 3: Managing the airport
- Part 4: In the air
And a Couple of Related Posts I Picked Out:
- International Flight Diaper Bag
- What NOT to do on the Plane with your kids
- A look at baby jetlag
- Another look at baby jetlag
{ 8 comments… read them below or add one }
Oh Gloria! I hope it all goes well and/or you don’t lose your mind! Our flights aren’t that long but I feel your pain!
Instead of stressing out about this (that can wait until later), think about this: if you were going to be on a flight with a wiggly almost-but-not-quite-2-year-old for 3.5 hours (which, granted, is not the 20 hours you’ll probably be in the air, but humor me), would you purchase that almost-but-not-quite-2-year-old a ticket, or just save yourself $400, assuming it’s a totally full flight because every other flight you’ve been on in the last six months has been totally full?
Just hypothetically, I mean.
We should just combine our blogs. I was just about to write a very similar post. (As a way to procrastinate from packing up our house- haha!)
I just found this for you! 50 ways to entertain a kid on an airplane!
http://www.parenting.com/gallery/50-ways-entertain-kids-plane
Thanks Jes! I would pay myself the 400 bucks, spare myself the awkwardness of hauling a carseat onto the plane, and let the nearly 2-year-old sit on my lap. Just my two cents.
@Jordan, you could totally just photoshop your kids faces into the pictures!!
Gloria, I love how you are able to bring perspective and humor to any situation. Love the photos of the kids-they are obviously acquainted with how closely spaced airline seats are, especially as the hours spent on the plane grow longer!
I follow a gal-Lisa Jo-who writes a blog titled The Gypsy Mama, and I think you two would hit it off famously, especially in the mommy/travelling department, as her family is heading to South Africa. She posted today on “The Lows and Lowers of International Travel”, at http://thegypsymama.com/2011/06/totally-random-post-about-the-lows-and-lowers-of-international-travel/.
Glad you are coming to the states for an extended stay, and hope you are able to put up your feet and relax for just a bit while you are here!
Ok Gloria! I’ve read all of your traveling info and feel somewhat prepared but would love some of your expert advice
In May, Mitch and I will be moving back to Texas from Pittsburgh. Mitchell will be driving but Adelaide (who will be 8 weeks at the time) will be flying. I am wondering if we should get a direct flight (5 hours, so at least 2 diaper changes in flight) or opt for two legs with a short layover to limit continuos air time. I am only freaking out a little bit, it is still 4 weeks away. What do you think?
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