This past week my family and I traveled to Atlanta for my nieces's high school graduation. While I was excited to break up the monotony of my everyday I was was nervous about little one's first airplane ride. I didn't get on a plane with my oldest until she was two or three and we went on plenty of road trips before that. But my youngest is only twelve months old and not the type of kid who likes to sit down for more than five minutes so naturally I was worried. I didn't want to be THAT mom with the yelling, whinny kid on the plane. Plus I knew she would have serious trouble with her routine being completely thrown on its side. This kid loves structure. Needless to say we all survived and live to see another day. But I did want to take a minute and tell you some of the interesting things that I found out on this trip. If anything this post should give you a good laugh.
Benadryl may not save you.
I read many a blog with parents giving their kids the "sleeping potion" to help them relax and sleep on the plane, our pediatrician even recommended it to us. Initially my wife and I didn't want to try it since the plane ride was only an hour and a half but at the last minute we caved and bought it. Unfortunately it was a waste of money because little one did NOT sleep one ounce. She got loopy for about five minutes and that was it. If you know your kid isn't the type to rest when traveling around town then know that he/she won't rest for big trips.
People don't like kids/babies on planes.
There were a couple of people who gave a look and sighed heavily before we boarded and though I stressed for a minute I thought, WHATEVER! The reality is that parents travel and we travel with our kids. If someone is having an issue with being close to a baby/toddler/kid on the plane then they can either move their seat or get off the plane. Problem solved.
No rest for the weary, or just no rest.
My little one loves her crib cause it's the only place that she can get really good sleep. Notice I said the ONLY place. Her first night (and ours) was rough because she wasn't in her own crib and the one that the hotel provided us was crap. The mattress was thin and made out of plastic and it made crunching noises every time she moved.I know some people bring a play pen or pop-up crib with them and if the baby can sleep in that then I say go for it. Just be prepared to lug extra stuff around.
You're gonna lug extra stuff around.
You know how much crap you have to bring with you just to go around the corner? Well double that for traveling. In addition to the luggage, carry on bags, camera bag purses and diaper bag we had to bring the stroller and car seat. It felt like an Olympic event just to get around with so much stuff. Now imagine if we brought the playpen that weighs 200 lbs. with us. I can't...I just can't...
Schedule? What schedule?
Obviously when you go out of town your baby will be off his/her schedule and you know that going into in. But what you can't really prepare for is the family and friends that want to see you and the baby regardless of whatever is going on. Small plans that any average person can handle suddenly become a strategic chess game trying to figure out the baby's eating and napping schedule in the midst of brunch. How far are we from the hotel? Do we have time to get back to the hotel and get the baby to sleep before a meltdown ensues? Did I change her diaper? Where's her sippy cup? Did I eat?
Yay! Tomorrow we go home, but wait... we gotta get on the plane again.
Once you've made it to the end of your trip you are so excited to get back home. You can't wait to eat your own food, sleep in your own bed, shower in your own bathroom. Home never looked so good to you before. But you still gotta get back on the plane. Ugh the airport, the luggage and the security checkpoint. Really?! Again!?
Just don't go anywhere till the baby is 10.
Day 2 into our adventure and my wife and I looked at each other and said, "We're not planning another trip for at least two years." Do I want to break up the monotony? Of course! After a while the day to day can get to be boring and you want to shake things up with surprise and mystery. So I've decided that the next time I want surprise and mystery I'll watch Murder She Wrote.
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