Originally posted by Law Lord:
How have other parents prepared children for their first flight?
As my moniker suggests, my kids (ages 2, 4) fly everywhere with me. The more kids do something, the better they get at it. Here's what I do:
1. Pack the essentials, but pack light. There may come a time when you have to pick up a child so don't bring unnecessary bags. Bring diapers, books, snacks, but that's it.
2. Get window/middle seats. It's easier for kids to fall asleep into you when you're at the window instead of the aisles.
3. Prepare to speed change. My wife and I changed two kids in 45 seconds right at a gate. In contrast, the only flight my wife ever missed (I wasn't there) was when she went to a bathroom to change a kid and didn't have enough time to get to the gate.
4. Just like in business, don't overpromise. Better to have a juice bottle with you than promise drinks are coming and not get any juice for an hour.
5. If possible, stay with the best airports. I never fly through ORD or DTW. I stick with MSP, MKE and PIT. It's tough running through an airport carrying your luggage and 30 pounds of kid.
6. Fly just before nap time. Forget red-eyes and pre-dawn jaunts. Getting a flight just after lunch usually means a nap and an hour of peace for me.
7. Prepare for the unexpected. On one flight the plane circled the airport several times and one son vomited. Have a spare change of clothes or the vomit bag handy.