1. Buy the middle seat for your child. You're talking about a grueling trip; you're going to need the room.

2. Buy a portable DVD player with kiddie videos. You might also get an extra battery for it since you'll need as much power as possible. The video player's a great distraction.

3. Take along some liquid Benadryl and liquid Tylenol. The Benadryl is a sedative, will help the kid sleep; Tylenol for earaches.

4. Don't give your child a drink for 30 minutes or so before takeoff and then give them their sippie cup AS THE AIRPLANE IS TAKING OFF (and be sure to wait to give them their drink until the pilot revs the engines on the runway at the actual moment of takeoff--don't give it to them a moment before because you have no idea how long it will take between pushing back from the gate until actual takeoff). Swallowing the drink will help them adjust their ear pressure and avoid ear pain as the plane gains altitude.

5. Take plenty of extra clothes for your child and an extra set for yourself, too--diapers leak, kids vomit (on themselves and you), etc.