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Many parents have a fear of flying, but not because of safety issues. The thought of a screaming child in a crowded airplane prevents many families from taking holidays.
A short domestic flight will be easier than a cross continental long haul, but a 15-minute screaming fit between Chicago and New York is as stressful as one over the Atlantic Ocean. Long flights require more planning, but should be no more demanding than short hauls. There is no reason why a family should not enjoy the pleasures of Europe or Asia just because of an eight-to-twelve hour flight. Prepare the Children Ahead of Time for the Flight ExperienceThe single most important piece of advice for parents is to never, ever allow kids to roam the plane. The sound of feet pounding up and down the aisle annoys other passengers, potentially causes safety problems, and most of all results in screaming when the child is ultimately forced to return to the seat. Once kids get up, they tend to want to stay up and the cabin is no place for a negotiation. A week before the flight play a game each night and pretend to be on the plane. Sit them on the couch and talk about how it just like the plane. Reinforce that they can't get up unless it's to use the bathroom, and in that case they will be accompanied. Get them to sit there as long as possible without getting up. Try to make it into a contest if that helps, and supply them with things to do. Hopefully this sets the stage for in-flight behavior. Each child should bring along a backpack loaded with favorite books and toys, as well as a change of clothes in a plastic bag in case of a spilled drink or toilet problem. Determine What In-flight Media Equipment Will Be AvailableThere is nothing better to make a long flight go more quickly than a ready supply of cartoons and movies. Find out If the plane is equipped with in-seat screens instead of a shared television, and if so, what the children's programming is. Ideally there are many shows available to keep each child occupied. If in-seat entertainment isn't available, consider either a portable DVD player, video iPod or laptop PC loaded with content. Bring along a good set of earphones or battery-powered headphones that digitally eliminate cabin noise. The kids may look a bit odd with an adult-sized Bose headset, but it will keep them settled by eliminating the distracting buzz. In addition to in-seat television screens, most new planes now have in-seat power for laptops and MP3 players, so batteries are not a problem. Be Prepared With Gifts and Activities As NeededBring along time-consuming toys such as coloring books, action figures and dolls, and Play-Doh. Wrap them up like gifts and when the kids are getting antsy ask who would like to open a present. Based on the flight length, bring an adequate supply and encourage sharing. Avoid gifts with small pieces like Lego and jigsaw puzzles. One very smart idea is to use a strip of Velcro tape on pens and pencils, and then lay a wide strip across the front of the container. The kids can simply stick the pen onto the outside of the container without losing it on the floor. Another good idea is to bring along an ample supply of treats like fruit snacks and chewy bars. Unfortunately the ban on liquids means that juice boxes are prohibited. Flying with kids is a very controllable situation, but only if the parents plan ahead to keep children occupied. The first ever flight is perhaps the most important as it locks in behavior for future travel.
The copyright of the article Air Travel with Small Children in Travel with Children is owned by Doug Brown. Permission to republish Air Travel with Small Children in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
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