12 Worst Mistakes Parents Make When Flying with Their Babies
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You are finally taking the long-awaited family vacation after months of meticulously organizing every detail, including purchasing airline tickets, reserving hotel rooms, and searching for attractions. As soon as you board the aircraft with your young children, they begin to whine and demand things like their favorite toy, the ability to watch a movie on their iPad, airline cuisine, and more.
These and other issues that many parents face when traveling overseas make them dread their holidays. This mistake will drastically alter your next experience and help you avoid these circumstances and have the most enjoyable family trip possible, from the flight to the excursions.
Not Bringing a Stroller.
So, your three or four-year-old wanders about the house? There are differences between the steps kids monitor at home and those you need to log when visiting Europe, Disney World, or even navigating a sizable resort. It may mount up; we’ve had days where we traveled 10 miles at the Grand Hyatt Kauai and over 20 miles at Disney World.
If you’re going on a journey that requires more than a very light amount of walking, you will most likely need a stroller on the road an entire year or two after you use it in your regular home life. (You might need it at a theme park until your children are old enough to pass spelling bees.)
Forgetting Headphones
You did a great job packing a gadget that your kids can use to play or watch, and it’s fully charged. However, if you’ve forgotten your headphones, the people around you might not be thrilled to hear the endless background music from video games or the third “My Little Ponies” episode.
Children’s headphones are affordable but remember to bring one for each child (and an extra one), as we all know how sharing ends.
Believing in Airplane Food
Add fussy child nutrition and certain airlines’ inability to carry special meals, and it’s a recipe for hungry passengers.
Your child will, at most, get soggy chicken fingers. If you don’t bring food for your children on an extremely lengthy flight, “hanger” will most likely occur. Naturally, airplanes have considerably less food available than usual, so you should prepare to be self-sufficient.
Under-Stocking Formula, Diapers, or Wipes
A flight’s (or cruise’s, or rail journey’s, etc.) scheduled duration differs from its actual duration.
You can find yourself unprepared for the journey’s reality if all you budget for is the amount of diapers, wipes, and formula you’ll need to get through the intended route. When it comes to necessities, bring more and a little more.
Not Considering the Location of Your Accommodation
One of the more important errors parents make while taking their children on a trip is this. Outside of the city, hotels and hostels are less expensive. You won’t save much if you include the transportation price to the locations you would like to see.
It’s also important to remember that children tire out more quickly. For instance, it might be wiser to choose a hotel in the city center that is nearer to the beach if they need to nap. Furthermore, many things can go wrong (such as becoming sick or harmed). Selecting lodging near all amenities will increase your freedom and peace of mind.
Not Including Your Kids in Activity Planning
Your kids rarely want to visit the attractions that you do. While we do not advocate avoiding the Louvre in Paris, consider adding a trip to Disneyland as a bonus. Involve your children in the planning process to prevent tantrums caused by their refusal to participate in an activity.
Let them select after demonstrating the options. They will enjoy the research and have a sense of belonging. Teach children how to travel responsibly as well.
Picking the Wrong Travel Time
What time of year is optimal to begin your road trip? There isn’t a universal solution. Some experts advise beginning your journey early in the morning or at night so your infant may sleep well while traveling. Early morning travelers also escape morning rush hour traffic, which might prolong your journey by several hours.
In other situations, parents don’t get enough sleep the night before and are too exhausted from preparing the day before to drive safely. You must choose your departure time carefully, just like you would with everything else while traveling with a kid. Choose a start time that works best for your family, considering your requirements, your baby’s needs, and other considerations.
Not Bringing a Protective Cover When Gate Checking or Baggage Checking Strollers and Car Seats.
Countless instances of parents choosing to gate-check or planeside check their car seats have left hundreds of dollars worth of infant equipment unsecured. Even a basic red car seat bag can shield the cloth that cradles your child from dust, filth, and spills.
Not to mention that the person pushing the stroller or car seat has no idea how valuable or useful it is. Taking a car seat on a flight? Invest a few additional bucks to keep your stroller and car seat safe!
Forgetting to Use the Bathroom Before Getting on the Plane
Waiting for the seat belt indicator to turn off can take up to an hour and a half for small bladders. Before you board, you must store your bags, settle in, wait for the safety announcement, line up on the runway, and take off.
The seat belt indicator is switched off once the aircraft reaches its cruising altitude. I promise you; everyone needs to go potty and change the young ones’ diapers.
Forgetting Your Patience
Breathe deeply; everything will be OK. You will make it through if you are a single parent traveling with three children under five. Allow ample time to arrive at the airport. Arrive two hours, or even sooner. Get assistance with all the equipment. You will be in excellent hands if you are nice to all personnel.
Before you head to the airport, arrange the duties for any children you are going with. Who is responsible for what? Pack as lightly as you can. Determine the best way to transport everything. Consider passing past security.
Not Sharing in the Excitement When Flying With Kids
It can be enjoyable to fly! Admittedly, it can sometimes bother you, but adapt to the situation. Watch the jets take off and land before you board in front of the large glass windows. Play eye spy with food delivery, baggage carts, and carriers. Air travel with a child may be thrilling and adventurous.
When you board, ask the flight attendant if the kids may view the cockpit. Better still, ask the children! We even purchase humorous t-shirts for our flights. Visit Etsy to see these adorable frequent flyer shirts! Allow the children to purchase snacks and beverages. If you are traveling abroad, they may even be able to select a toy from the box the flight attendant sends down the aisle.
Not Charging Electrical Devices.
While parents want to limit their children’s screen time on smartphones and tablets daily, relaxing these guidelines when traveling is advised. Packing an e-book or tablet with pre-made material would be best so your kids can pass the time on flights or vacations. They will get more at ease just by watching, which will benefit you and the other passengers.
Remember to charge these devices before you leave the house. This way, you’ll always be prepared to flip on the TV and provide your kids with calming entertainment to help them travel in a fun and comfortable manner.
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