Traveling with children is a whole different ballgame from traveling without them. Kids have different wants and needs from adults. So besides the typical stuff you have to pack for kids simply because they’re traveling (clothes, medicine, etc.), there are other things you have to consider.
Most parents already know (or should know) how to pack activities for their kids when they’re on the plane. I mean, adults can waste their time, and even just rawdog it, if they have to (I tried rawdogging once; this is what it was like). Younger kids, though, need things to keep them occupied and quiet during the flight. But there are a couple of other things that caregivers of children may or may not consider as they’re planning their flight:
Before your fly
Double check how many kids you can have with you
One would think that the number of kids you’ve bought tickets for is the number of kids you can bring on the plane. It’s not that simple, so double-check.
Exit row seating
Those who fly on a regular basis, whether they have kids or not, already know this, of course. But kids under a certain age (it varies) aren’t allowed to sit in the exit row.
However, it’s important to keep in mind that if you’ve arranged your seating so you’re in the exit row and your underage child is, say, a row ahead of you, that won’t work either. Airlines don’t allow people to sit in the exit row if they’re a caregiver for someone else on the flight. Paraphrased, they consider it a “responsibility (such as caring for small children – maybe they’re in a different row, with your partner), that might prevent you from performing one or more of the applicable functions” of sitting in an exit row. Their rationale is that if there’s an emergency, your attention needs to be on your “responsibility” of being an “exit row person,” not your kid.
Only 1 lap child per row
This is an interesting one. Say you have 2 kids who are both young enough to be lap children – maybe a newborn and a 2-year-old. It’s you and your partner, so you grab seats A and B (or A and C, if you want to try that old trick). All good, right?
Wrong.
There typically can’t be 2 lap children in the same row. How come? Because there are only 4 oxygen masks above you.
Remember what flight attendants always tell you during their safety speech: “…put your oxygen mask on first, before helping others.”
If there are 2 lap children in the same row, and all 3 seats are taken, that would mean there are 5 people in the row, yet only 4 oxygen masks. And, understandably, airlines don’t want you to have to choose which of your kids will have access to oxygen in the event of an emergency. So, each row is limited to only 1 lap child.
That being said, if the 3rd seat remains empty (sometimes you can buy the 3rd seat for cheap), or if you and your partner choose two aisle seats for you and your lap children (like 10C and 10D on a 3-3 narrow body), then you’re fine.
At the airport
Tired babies are quiet babies
No one likes a baby that screams for the entire flight. It’s not fair to your fellow travelers, it’s not fair to you, and frankly, it’s not fair to your baby, either.
So before y’all get on your plane, don’t just sit at the gate; wear that kid out!
Does the airport have a kids’ play area? Use it. If it doesn’t, still take the baby for a walk – keep their minds and bodies as busy as possible before they go on the plane, so hopefully they’ll sleep on the flight.
This guy really should win Airport Dad Of The Year
And about headsets
Got a kid? Do they have a device? Please don’t forget to bring headphones for them and make sure they use them. Cuz your kid may be a big fan of Bluey or Peppa Pig, but that doesn’t mean everyone else wants to hear them. ‘Nuff said.
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