Then there’s me.
I’m not a road warrior. To me, flying is still a fascinating adventure I didn’t discover until I was in my 20s. This means I’ve picked my friends’ brains to come up with the top five tips for flying alone with kids:
1. Snacks. Every mom I spoke to reminded me to bring snacks. As if this Italian-Irish mama would ever forget to feed all the people. Still, it was great advice. Especially when I was told to avoid salty snacks and to help fellow passengers out by keeping peanuts off the menu. As an epi-pen carrying person, I’m happy to oblige.
2. Remember batteries run out. More than one mom warned me not to rely on battery operated electronics during a six hour flight – especially since my electronics of choice are of a brand that drains power like a vampire. They suggested I bring cards and coloring books, old standbys I hadn’t even considered.
3. Toys get lost. Over and over I was told not to bring my son’s prized Lego collections or my daughter’s beloved magnetic paper dolls. Instead, it was suggested I take a little trip to the dollar store and stock up on cheap, losable toys.
4. Ask for help. This is a tough one for us independent mothers, but one woman who traveled internationally, alone with her year old, said she would never have made it without asking for help from the flight attendants, the baggage handlers, and even her fellow passengers.
5. Remember it’s part of the vacation. One of my best friends, a frequent flier, told me to relax and remember, the journey is part of the trip. She told me to spring for a glass of wine and enjoy this time away from time with my children.
Do any of you veteran travelers have any other tips?
