The LA Times Daily Travel & Deal Blog posted an article yesterday entitled,“How much would you pay for a kid-free plane flight?”
I will admit that I do understand both sides of the issue here. In my pre-parent days, I was planning my next big trip, hoping for first class upgrades- not looking at preschools. I also was one of those frequent fliers who sighed that sigh of relief when the family with the baby/toddler/preschooler/teenager didn’t sit in my row (or behind me) on the plane.
Then one day (I think God has a great sense of humor), as my husband and I did last minute planning for our trip to Singapore and Japan, I found out I would soon be purchasing 3 tickets for future vacations.
From that point on, I was on the other side of things.
AND WAS FREAKED OUT.
However, time went on – I researched everything an obsessed traveler needed to know about traveling while pregnant, with a newborn, and what to do if my baby screamed in flight. I wrote a book about it only because I now had all this info and my friends/neighbors/coworkers asked me for tips nonstop.
Fast forward to present- my preschooler has flown with me almost every month and will have visited 15 countries before kindergarten next year. I could never have imagined what an incredible experience it is to travel with a child – and the many doors it has opened to my family in foreign countries interacting with the locals.
And I have learned to respect the flight – it is the first and last impression of these fabulous trips. I have researched the secrets and know what works and what doesn’t when flying with an infant/toddler/preschooler. But most of all, I have learned it is most important to interact with my child – involving him in the journey.
So… I understood today’s article and yet…it was upsetting to me.
http://travel.latimes.com/daily-deal-blog/index.php/how-much-would-you-p-2881/
My response is comment #2, reprinted here:
Congratulations Jen – I’d be happy to send you a Parent & Toddler Flight Kit- created by 2 world travelers who refused to give up travel or have unhappy traveling kids. I wrote the book Jet with Kids for parents and Scotty Kober created the DVD Toolkit Shae By Air FOR toddlers. We recently combined the products to offer families the ultimate travel tool for flying with young children.Here are some tips:
1. Ear pain can be excruciating. Try http://www.EarPopper.com – it really works! Micromedics manufactures vent tubes also and found this great product for treating recurring ear infections. Also works great for clearing Eustachian Tubes for passengers of all ages.
*Consider safety – don’t remove child from car seat or CARES harness during most dangerous times of flight. Every passenger should be buckled in – feed with bottle instead of breastfed or use Ear Popper, pacifier, etc..
2. Preparation is key – teething, colds, boredom, hunger, thirst, being tired – all these things must be addressed before they escalate. Pack wisely.
3. Involve child at developmentally appropriate level throughout process. Allow them to pre-board and become familiar with environment (explain tray table, window shade, lights, etc.). Do NOT allow children to run up and down aisle. They are familiar with car seats and being buckled in. Use the CARES harness or car seat and treat the speed of flight and runway with respect.
4. Pack smart. Healthy snacks (not sugar), water (purchase after security), extra clothes, diapers, etc.
I have carry-on list on my site to help with this.5. Don’t take early morning flights. Leave these for the business travelers. Sleep deprivation is not a good way to start a traveling day for a child or parent!
6. Mutual respect goes a long way. Just because I chose to have a child and bring him on the flight, does not mean everyone has to be affected by my decision. My child – my responsibility.
7. Use headphones and video Ipod (music, audio books, photos, videos) Not everyone on the plane should have to listen to Dora.
My preschooler and I fly monthly – he will have traveled to 15 countries before kindergarten. He is a better traveler than many adults.
And now I must ask- Where would this “no-child flight” thing end? What about when it gets annoying that many elderly take additional time boarding or urinate in their seats? How about the business traveler who talks loudly or drinks too much? Or the passenger with bad breath or body odor?
I think mutual respect is what needs to be taught- not who can we eliminate.
Sorry for the long comment (article!) I am passionate about this topic. (I actually teach seminars for parents on this exact topic).
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