-Try to choose a flight time near nap or bedtime. Our little guy has time for a snack, we pop a movie into the DVD and he's out like a light until we land. For shorter flights (2 hours or less) he doesn't sleep, but from Minneapolis, just about everywhere in the US is about 3 hours away.
-They keep changing the rules about what you can and can't bring on the plane with you. The first week of a new rule is the worst. After that, it gets more realistic. If the rules allow that day, bring a snack and a beverage with you. Never try to sneak it, just show it to them and put on your best doe-eyes. You can always buy some after you pass security if all else fails. Besides, a fast food treat is more guaranteed to get eaten by some kids.
-You want them to eat or drink as soon as the engine starts up and you are taxiing down the runway. Take-off and landings are really hard on little ears. Chewing and swallowing help tremendously. If you have a sippy cup, that's ideal because it not only prevents spills, but the sucking action helps with relieving ear pressure.
-Budget minded travelers have a hard time justifying getting a child under 2 their own seat, but do this. Put your child on your lap at home for the same amount of time as your flight (2 or 3 hours), then decide. Remember to put another chair crammed up against your knees for this exercise. Check with your airline to see if they have discount seats for kids under age 12, many do.
-Keeping them in their seat is another challenge that I can't stress enough. Treat the airplane like any other moving vehicle and teach them that they must be in their seat at all times. Little kids can get very hurt if they're not restrained and the plane hits even mild turbulence. Some people advocate bringing your car seat on the plane. I, however, do not. (click here for the now-funny story why). I do recommend the CARES
restraint. It is approved by the FAA, and fits easily in your carry-on allowing you to check that bulky car seat. With the child restrained in their own seat, they actually have quite a bit of room, and hopefully cannot reach the kick-tempting seat in front of them.-Bring as many diversions as your child needs, but bring the minimum amount of diversions. For us, snacks, a new sticker book, and a movie are all we need. I'm sure the GameBoy or modern equivalent is in our near future. We also talk a lot about where we're going and what we'll do when we get there to build a bit of anticipation.
Getting there is half the fun if you let it be. Treat the flight as part of the vacation and your child will do just fine.
Copyright Stephany Wiestling 2006-2008. All rights reserved. www.kid-friendlytravel.blogspot.com
, and being there I've condensed here for you.
In this picture, you can barely make out the stadium seating and stage. The dark roof above those six little rectangles is the stage. Directly across, to the left, the dark area behind the trees is the seating area. I didn't want to zoom and lose the mountains in the background. Plus, it really gives a sense of scale. You can really see how this place can be at once endless and intimate. Truly amazing.
and some laundry soap. I've used baby shampoo with mixed results. Extra rinsing in very cold water helps to get all the suds out. You can bring a clothes line, but I just use the hotel pants hangers or hang them on the towel rod to dry.
is gentle enough to use all over AND on my sensitive-skin face... also covers odd tan lines), 
), and one lipstick can easily get me through the trip. The eyebrow pencil is because I have a picture of me that, thanks to the angle of the sun, looks like I have no eyebrows! Choose the blonde brow pencil no matter what your brow/hair color is; it'll look more natural.
, or we bring plastic sea animals that are about the size of Matchbox cars. These toys can also be used outside the tub, so do double-duty.
). I cut them into strips (so I always have a clean one) and wash sippy cups and baby spoons in the bathroom when I have no kitchen. They're handy on outings, too.
