Thursday, May 31, 2012

Anyone, anyone...???

In a few weeks, we are headed to Hawaii for one of my cousin's wedding. While I'm so excited about the trip itself and so grateful for the opportunity to go, I'd be lying if I said I wasn't very nervous about taking the babies on a LONG flight at 14 months.






So, I'm soliciting advice about traveling with toddlers. I've been pinning ideas like crazy, but I also know how helpful my blog friends are with anything and everything.



So, any necessary items, ideas for entertaining on the plane, snack ideas, ways to make the airport navigation easier, etc...are welcome!!!

I'm hoping we look like this...



Or this...


And not so much like this...



Comment away, friends, and thanks!!!!


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

9 comments:

  1. Oh goodness! We went to Kauai around this time last year when Ella was 10 months, which I thought was the "perfect age" to travel with her because she wasn't yet ready to try to walk everywhere. Our flight out there was during the day, but our flight back was over night, so she was able to sleep the whole way home (and was still small enough to do so rather comfortably--for her, not for me--the whole way home). But I admit, I was traveling with one; so I totally recognize that you're going to have your work cut out for you with two! For the day-trip out there, I bought new interactive toys (flip-books and a puzzle-type of stacker). So the novelty of these new toys kept her entertained (in fact, one of my proudest moments as a mother came as we were landing and the woman in front of me turned and said "you must be great parents, because she was wonderful"). We also tried to schedule our flights at the perfect time where we could "wear her out" during our layover, keeping her up just a little longer than her naptime by letting her happily crawl and explore the airport, and then prayed like crazy that she would nap/sleep for a good chunk of the trip. Kauai is beautiful! I hope that you have a wonderful trip...and good luck with the twins!

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    1. Laura, thanks so much for the suggestions! One thing I have to add is my parents are flying the whole way with us and the whole way back, so we'll have four adults for the two babies. I'm hoping between new toys, portable DVD player with their Praise Baby DVDs that they love, books, snacks, and being handed back and forth between momma, daddy, Papi, and Sita, we can keep them busy. We fly from Amarillo to DFW, switch planes and go from DFW to LAX, have a little layover, and switch planes again for LAX to LIH. And just like y'all, we have a day flight there, and an overnight flight the way home. We leave late afternoon the 2nd and get home the 3rd. Anyway, thanks so much for the advice; I especially appreciate it when it comes from someone who's pretty much done exactly what we're about to do, and survived! Haha!

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  2. We air traveled with our twins last summer when they were 18 months old. It was a 4 hour flight. My best advice - pack lots of NEW toys/gadgets, snacks, and pray! As with most things with twins -- one baby did pretty well and the other struggled and it was exactly the opposite of who I thought would do what. Anyway -- I had the baby who was struggling on my lap and it was mostly b/c she NEEDED to fall asleep, but couldn't. We had some turbulence and so I couldn't get up - or so they told me. But - I finally disobeyed the attendants and stood up to walk her around a bit and she finally fell dead asleep and slept for awhile. I think the most difficult part is the confinement. They are not used to that. We did not purchase tickets for them so they were on our laps. Later - since they've turned 2 we bought them their own seats and used their carseats and it's much better, but I get wanting to travel with them for free while you can. I understood their frustration b/c who wants to sit on someone for hours?? But .. you really can't let them loose, either. If they are into the iPad or movies, that will help. Our's just weren't into it at that age. I would suggest LOTS of snacks and try to make friends with the flight attendants. We've had some very understanding ones, and others who just kind of ignore us. The good ones would bring us juice, water and help distract. Also - one tip.... we do NOT do early family boarding. The reason being is that you are on that darn plane long enough - why go early? We are the LAST to board and this is great b/c it's like we get on and we take off. No messing around. Try not to let them run lose before take off at all or they will think that is allowed. Get them busy ASAP. We keep them in the stroller until we get down to the plane and then they put the stroller under the plane. It works well b/c then they bring the stroller up when you land. Best of luck!!

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    1. Thanks so much for the advice!! You're so right, when it comes to twins, if it's not one, it's the other!! :)

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  3. Oh - and if they are awake at take off -- give them a dum sum sucker .. helps with the ear pain.

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  4. Your babies are beautiful! Have a fun trip you will do awesome!

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    1. Thank you, Beckie! I just read your last post last night and want you to know I know EXACTLY your feelings, most especially when you expressed feeling left behind by your friends. That's exact the wordin I used when we were struggling for 4+ years to have children. Knowing I wasn't alone helped me tremendously. I hope it does you, too.

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Comment away, y'all!