This past holiday, my husband and I finally bit the bullet and decided to take our kids to Australia for Christmas and New Year’s. 27 hours of traveling with 3 children, through 3 airports for 2 connections. Why? You may ask. Let me explain.
My husband’s parents, although they both still reside (separately) in Canada, are both Australian, and all his extended family still lives back in Oz. Aunts, uncles, cousins, and even, a 94 year old grandmother. Although Grandma Joyce still seems to be going strong, despite diabetes, two knee replacements, and a heart condition, we still felt the clock was ticking for her to meet our kids. Until recently a trip that long was inconceivable, but now that the kids are a bit older (5 & 6) and can understand safety rules, and sit for longer periods of time without going completely stir crazy. So, when we got the school calendar for this year and saw a 3 week break over the holidays, we decided to go for it.
Given that we live abroad, a 17 hour trip from Toronto, we are getting pretty good at traveling, and the Australia trip put us to the test. So, I thought I would share my top tips. But first, a general principle: forget about packing light. You want to be prepared to avoid melt-downs and disaster, and that takes STUFF. After carrying many a 20 pound bag on my shoulder through airports, I have moved my carry-on goods to a very small wheelie bag that fits in all overhead compartments. My back is much less sore now!
Here’s what’s in it:
1) Food. Airplane food is terrible, and if you are flying on a foreign airline, the chances your kids won’t eat the food is even greater. I pack fruit, carrot sticks, granola bars, bagels, to name a few.
2) Change of clothes. Pee, throw-up, airline food. All these things may end up on yours and your kids clothes. I like to make sure I have a back up for the little people. I sometimes even take an extra shirt for me, and kids seem to love getting sick on their mothers.
3) Electronic devices. Even if the plane has in-seat entertainment, chances are my kids won’t like what’s on offer, will get bored on what’s on offer, or the system will be broken (which has happened on about 20% of our flights so far.) We travel with a laptop (that can play DVDs), headphones for everyone and a headphone splitter so they can all watch together, a iPad (or 2) loaded with movies, an iPod loaded with games and audio books. I don’t give my children a lot of screen time at home, but on a plane you do whatever it takes to make the trip go smoothly. Also means they like traveling!
4) Medicine. Airplanes seem to bring on the flu. It’s always good to have some tempra (or your drug of choice) on hand.
5) Cleaning materials. Kleenex, wipes, hand sanitiser, napkins, toothbrushes and toothpaste.
6) Treats. You may know from previous posts, that I am not a big fan of gratuitous sugar, however, desperate times call for desperate measures. Firstly, we always buy our kids a pack of gum before we get on the plane. I loathe gum. I think it’s a horrible thing to see a little kid chomping away like a cow on cud. (Even though I enjoy the odd piece myself.) BUT, if it helps their ears pop, makes the trip exciting, and distracts them during take-off when everything needs to be put away, then, it serves its purpose. I usually buy sugarless gum. The other little thing I do sometimes is to take a lollipop for those landings when the kids are fast asleep, and would otherwise start crying. I tried this after I last flew from Bangkok to Dubai. My daughter was fast asleep and I had to pry her out of her seat to get off the plane. She was just about to burst into tears and demand to be carried when I produce a lollipop. She took a lick and smiled. Instead of a meltdown and tears through the airport, I got a cooperative, quiet little person shuffling behind me, happily licking. It may be bribery, but if a kid has missed 10 hours of sleep, I think they deserve a little treat to help them get through.
7) Comfort items. Blankets and sometimes their own little pillows or stuffed animals.
8) Other entertainment. Books, colouring books, crayons, small toys.
These last two I make my kids carry in their own backpacks, along with the gum.
So, you see my point about the stuff…. I figure, if you can get through the trip, then holidays become much more enjoyable. I also think that I would do whatever it takes to not be that poor parent with the screaming children disturbing everyone else on the plane!!
Hope the list is helpful, and if you have other tips please add them below!
