Traveling with Kids

I'm back!  And so glad to be here.  I hope you all enjoyed some of the lovely guest posters last week.  I sure did! 

Well, if you didn't know, I flew back from Lyon, France, Tuesday to hang out in California for the summer.  My husband is still in France and will be there for about 3 weeks while they are in playoffs and {hopefully} win it all!!  And get a sweet little bonus if they do.

So instead of bore you with my trip of traveling about 20 hours or so cross country with two kids, I thought I would give you a few travel pointers for any moms out there traveling with kids.  Because unfortunately, I'm a pro.

1.) Be even or outnumber them.  Now obviously this is only if you can.  I couldn't and it is quite tiring. 

2.) Be Organized.  The only bags I took with me on the flight were my carry-on luggage and the diaper bag.  I very strategically packed the diaper bag for optimal searching abilities.   When I needed something, I knew where it was and I made sure everything was easy to get to.  I didn't carry a purse because that was one extra piece, and I carried our passports in a little bag thing that just went around my neck. 


3.)  Be prepared.  
      ~In my professional opinion, you can never have too many diapers.  Unless of course you are traveling with potty trained kids.  In that case, any amount of diapers would be too many.  But if you are traveling with a baby, like me, then pack it up.  You don't want to be the mom unprepared when all of a sudden your baby gets explosive diarrhea mid-flight.  True story. 
     ~You will also want to have plenty of snacks.  With airlines nowadays they barely feed you, and snacks for little guys are a must.  Well, for you too for that matter.  {if traveling overseas, British Airways is THE BEST. And no I am not getting paid for this, I wish they would sponsor me!}
     ~You also will want to have plenty of toys to occupy them.  Not small ones or any balls that could roll and get lost, but books are good, soft blocks, if you have a portable DVD player it's a lifesaver.  Especially if your kid vegges out to movies like my 4-year-old.  It practically puts him in a coma.
     ~ Get lots of rest the nights before.  You will need it!

4.) Be Relaxed.  If you are all worked up thinking it is gonna be an awful trip, it probably will be.  If you can chill out and go with the flow, understanding that everything will not be perfect and that your kid will kick the back of the chair of the person in front of you and they most likely will not understand, you will be so much better off.  And just remember, even if it is the flight from hell, it will eventually be over.  Just make sure whoever is waiting for you on the other end takes the kids immediately and doesn't make you so much as look at them for the rest of the night.  Grandparents are great for this one.


5.) Ask the airlines to help you.  They offer special stuff for moms flying alone or families.  You get boarded first, they try to put you in the bulkhead seats which have a bassinet or a little crib thing for the babies.  Take whatever they offer, cuz with what you're paying you should get much more!  Once again, British Airways, awesome choice for traveling internationally. 

Well, that's about it!  My flight wasn't that bad this time, I have had worse.  I wasn't sure what to expect with my little guy, he is, how do you say, kinda a handful.  So I was thankful he did well.  My other little guy is a complete trouper.  He is already a world traveler at 4.  He carries his own bag and does his thing.  Love it.  Now if he will start carrying my bags, we're golden.

Well, I am glad to be back to normal, whatever that is for me!  And seriously, God Bless America!!!  Got lots of cool stuff in store including a giveaway coming hopefully this week!  Have a great Monday!