I swore I'd never do it again...fly solo with 2 kids (even if it is only to Vegas). Here I go again getting ready to sweat, curse (in my head of course), and endure the short little flight to Vegas to visit Pa and Gigi. Carsen is beyond excited...I, on the other hand, am seriously questioning my sanity.
After our dinner outing tonight (Carsen had his first soccer game and then he wanted to go to Chili's.) We walked in, sat down, waited and waited for the waiter. Myka was climbing on the table, dumping out the salt and pepper, soaking herself with a cup of water and thoroughly enjoying herself. Chad and I looked at each other and picked everything up and walked out. Leaving behind a couple of dollars for the 10-minute mess Myka made. We walked across the parking lot to Bajios and were in and out in less than 20 minutes. That's my idea of eating out these days!
Back to my dilemma. As you can seee....a restaurant is bad news with Myka. She does not like to be confined (those of you reading this who think I have no control of my kid...you can click out right now!) Church is hard enough, and at church at least there is an outlet in the foyer! An 1.5 hour plane ride does not have an outlet!
So, I need your help. Anybody have anything up their sleeve (besides drugs!) I need toy ideas or entertainment ideas. Anything. (I'll even take some drug ideas if you promise it's safe!)
Thanks for helping, and wish me luck. I did it to myself, but it's all for good reasons!
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Advice Needed (Quickly)!
Posted by Keysha at 8:07 PM
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29 comments:
Benedryl and a portable dvd player.
make that children's benedryl. :)
When we flew with the boys to Florida, we took 2 portable DVD players, one for each of them. It worked out great. Bribe them like crazy. You can do it Keysha.
Oh Keysha, I can totally relate only I didn't have two!) I know she's a little younger than E and when he was younger the DVD didn't even work! The only thing I've found that sort of works (and this is only for a little while) is dum dum suckers! Terrible for his teeth, but they work. Just make sure you have wipes close by to keep the sticky from spreading!
Just sit her in her seat and tell her to be quiet!J/K. I wish I had some plane advice. I havn't done that with kids since Jace was like 6 months old or something like that. What a nightmare that would be with my three kids now. You are a brave woman! I would imagine that treats and sippy cups would help the wiggles (at least with my kids anyways). I see nothing wrong with bribery in this situation. And pray that you sit next to a mom who is sympathetic and patient. Good luck!
I totally agree with Amy. We have touble with an overly active little girl and little suckers got her through an entire 4 hour BYU game this week. It is messy but was worth it. Also I just read an idea to bring a little hand mirror and some dry erase markers and let your child color on the mirror on their face. I think I will be trying it next church session. Good luck, ugggg.
Okay..I never had to fly with Ali when she was that age, but we made many a trips to St. George. A portable DVD always good, but does Myka like to watch movies? Ali would for a minute, but then would get restless. I really like the idea of a mirror and letting them color on their face. Wish I would have known about that.
Suckers always a good choice, but will the sugar make it worse? Just a thought!! I feel your pain. Ali couldn't sit still for 5 seconds let a lone a plane ride. Benadryl always works too. :)
Sorry I don't have any tricks up my sleeve for you! You are a great mom though and you always seem to figure out a plan to handle any situation. Let me know if you need to borrow a DVD player and some DVD's. We have both!!!
Stickers!! Tay loved them from the time she was real little and my boys love them. But let them stick them on whatever they want (their heads, nose, shoes) it keeps them entertained longer and let them choose their own. Also-jewelry. I never wore bracelets until I had kids. Now they keep my kids busy at church. Just buy cheapo jewelry at like Walmart or let Myka play with your old jewelry (you could buy her a cheapo purse and let her put her jewelry, stickers and fruit snacks in it). Hope this helps you!! Have fun in Vegas:)
When we traveled with two little ones, we sat in the first row in coach. It actually had a little extra space that our kids could actually play in. See if you can request those seats. Good luck!
Hey you might try buying her a new toy and not reveling it until absolutely necessary. My mom has seen this work in the past. Also I don't know if this will work for Myka but for Carson- tell him you'll give a penny for every thing he can name in the sky while flying. Ive seen this one work! And you're only out a quarter or so depending on how creative he gets! Tell you're mom and dad hi!
Keysha, you have such a cute little family! Myka sounds a lot like Logan--busy, busy, busy! And I can totally empathize with sending Carsen off to preschool. Leah was just like him, so excited and not missing mom one bit, and I was just like you, having a hard time letting my baby go out on her own.
As far as travel advice, I've also used the "get a new toy and reveal it when necessary trick." It works great for Leah. Logan loved Leah's toy princess cell phone because it makes noises when he opens it. And the dum dum suckers always work for me, too! Good luck!
I feel your pain and this post reminds me of the nightmare experience I went through that same night you rescued me from the airport!
RJ was very restless on the plane and just wanted to do flips and summersaults all over the plane....mind you he is 9 months and can't even walk...but can you just imagine the energy especially when he just woke up from a nap as soon as we stepped on the plane!!!
1st advice, get a pass from the counter for Chad to walk you to the gate so that he can help you with the kiddos....that walk is very long...don't forget to bring your stroller...if you want, borrow mine, its very light!
2nd, if you are flying Southwest, which I highly suggest only because you can choose where to sit and you will board with the A group which leaves plenty of seats for you to choose from. And I suggest for you to choose the last aisle in the back of the plane. You are out of peoples way and their view, plus, the flight attendant is back there and can help when necessary.
3rd, make sure she doesn't take a nap before the plane ride.
4th, bring some lipgloss, finger nail polish (clear and very light colors), and some sort of light color eyeshadow and blush make-up. I know she is way too young for this but if its something new, she will love to put it on herself.
5th, also bring an old t-shirt that you don't really care about and have her draw on it with washable markers.
And of course, the DVD player, benedryl, lollipops, and all the other wonderful things that everyone else has suggested.
If these don't work, then just ask the flight attendant if they can give you a shot of Vodka!!! And when you fly back, make sure Chad comes to fly back with you!!! (I'm kidding about the vodka)
Oh my! You are all so wonderful and have given me some excellent advice!!! I'm going to have a bag full of tricks (that we will pray work!) I'll keep you all posted. (You'd think I was flying to France or something! Nope. Just a short 1.5 hour flight!)
Well Heidi, adult benedryl works better for my kids. ;) IS Myka going to be in carseat? If not, I might consider that. That way she is stuck. I would tqake tons of toys seh has enver seen before and candy she has never had before.
GOOD LUCK
What else can I say? I think Trisha's ideas were all perfect and I just may have to write them down for use in the future. Good luck!
Looks like you've already been given a lot of advice. I have gone back and forth between Utah and Washington solo several times and twice already with 2 kids. Crazy I know.. Thankfully it's a short flight. It seems like Myka is probably too young to sit and watch a dvd. I believe the sucker idea is a great one. Just make sure you take her toothbrush! :o)
For take off I ususally have a sippy cup and treat so the ears will pop and not hurt. Once we're in the air, I usually pull out a new toy. This should distract for a little while. A puzzle that you can help her with is good, crayons. you know, all that good stuff! And don't worry the flight attendants are great! They usually have a little packet that has crayons, a color book and some goodies. If it's not offered, don't feel bad asking. Just remember, you'll have 3 seats for her to climb back and forth between you and Carson! Have fun!!!
I agree with bringing her carseat, if you've purchased her a seat. After two flights with Ellie on my lap at that age, I swore I would ALWAYS buy her a seat so I could strap her in. Also, when we fly or drive on long trips, I go to the dollar store and buy a few new toys for them to play with. Then when they start getting restless I pull something out of my bag of tricks (one at a time, of course!) Try color wonder books/markers, silly putty, stickers and a small notebook to stick them on, snacks, some new touch and feel books. My kids love to look at pictures of themselves and people they love. You could make a small album of her family, grandparents, cousins, etc. You could also add picures of her favorite things like the park, pool, toys etc.
Good Luck and have fun! Hopefully you can get permission to have someone go to the gate with you and help you on. Let us know what you ended up doing and how it worked!
My doctor told me that children's benadryl is okay, but for some kids, like Ellie, it does the opposite and makes them hyper. You should try it before the airplane ride just to make sure!
I didn't buy Myka a seat. i am too cheap and love to take advantage of the fact that she is UNDER 2! If she had a seat...this wouldn't be a problem. That girl is wonderful when she is strapped tightly in her car seat (kind of). She usually falls asleep.
Nope. Instead I get to have her climbing all over me and Carsen!
Thanks again for all the wonderful advice. I am headed to the store tonight to pick up lots of distractions!!! You are all wonderful! Hopefully this go-round is better than last!
Hi I am lindsie's sister but we lived in Cleveland for 4 years! we used playdough and plastic animals from walmart cheep ones that they can play with My kid loved it! Good luck
Angie
Good Luck Keysha - I can't wait to hear how it goes.
I've gotten lot's of good ideas for traveling from all these comments.
Sorry, no good ideas here, but good luck! And have fun once you are there!
I am no help, but am so excited about all of these wonderful ideas! Thanks for posing the question Keysha so that we could all get the good advice :)
Your kids are so dang cute - I'm sure they will both surprise you and behave very well on the plane. Have lots and lots of fun! TJ will try to keep Chad entertained while you are away - I'm pretty sure they've already been talking golf!
Stickers have always done the trick for me! Just give her a pad of stickers and some paper and let her go crazy. Good luck! Just remember that it could be worse, it could be a 4.5 hour flight!
When I lived in Oregon I flew back here a couple times with two kids solo too. Totally get where you are coming from. For my older child I had bought some dumb small dollar store toys for him to play with but he didn't get them unlesss he was good. I had them all wrapped so every 15 minutes to half hour he would get one but only if he was helping me and being good. it was a good incentive. my Pedetrician on the other hand told me to give my young 1 year old some benedryl so she would sleep. He said it won't hurt her and will help you keep your sanity. GOOD LUCK! Kamri won't endure a restraunt either. So if we go by ourselves then we are able to go but other wise it just doesn't happen. She and Myka would get along great...lots of trouble!
Do anything you can to survive. People have suggested some really great ideas. Good luck.
Not sure, but I think I told you that I would let you know about the next Love & Logic Course. It will be held in Herriman if you are interested. Please email me and let me know.
katieloveandlogic@gmail.com
I guess I am a little too late for advice. But I guess everything went okay.
I am excited to see you and hear about it. See you in the morning!
Looks like you've gotten a lot of advise. flying with kids is simply just a nightmare. And I know that this is probably late... oh well. I agree with the portable dvd player and headphones. That has saved us in the past. (I might have been only because I don't let my kids watch tv so when they get the chance, they are glued!)
Lots of snacks and new books that she hasn't read or toys she hasn't played with might help.
I hope the flight went well. It was nice to read everyone's comments and get some good ideas. I hope you guys are doing well.
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