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Post by Chester on Jan 24, 2006 19:39:04 GMT -5
We're in the midst of a huge move. My husband started his new job in Kentucky the first of the year. The kids and I are still in Wisconsin until the middle of March.
JT was having a TERRIBLE time missing his Dad. He literally would hold onto my back pockets of my pants ALL DAY or would hold onto my ankles, while he was on his tummy having me drag him across the floor everytime I took a step.
So, my DH's company is paying for a week of a house hunting trip for myself. JT's behavior got the best of me, and we purchased him a plane ticket to Kentucky too. (The DH has done a wonderful job, and has already purchased a house.......I haven't seen it in person! I can't believe I'm so Okay with this whole thing!) So it's not so much a house hunting trip anymore as a house approval and picking out the finishing colors of paint, tile, carpet, etc. and meeting with the school.
SOOOOO.....JT and I are flying out Saturday. Mpls to Cincinatti. JT's first flight. To be very honest, I'm much more worried about the flight than not having seen the new house, neighborhood, or even Kentucky before!
I've been trying to find the box where I put the adoption papers. I've been advised to have the DH sign a letter and have it notarized that it is okay for the two of us to travel....due to child abduction rules. I've also been advised to pull out JT's adoption papers since we don't look like we're related. JT is African American and I'm caucasion.
So that is my worry before I even have my Mom drop the two of us off at the airport. Then comes dealing with a 3 year old who "wanders" and can't be trusted alone ONE second, while also dealing with luggage.
Then comes the actual flying part. He's totally obsessed with Shrek 2, so that DVD and Signing Times will be in our travel bag with the portable DVD.... I remember reading somewhere here on Unoland that a dose of Benadryl maynot be a bad idea before the flight.
Any other pieces of advice. I'm usually a very laid back person, but for some reason, this is putting me way outside of my comfort zone!
Dawn
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Post by MB on Jan 24, 2006 21:57:57 GMT -5
The Mail It/UPS stores sell laminated luggage tags. You can type up all of JT's personal info and travel info and have it laminated (about $2). You can then safety pin it to his pocket. If he should get away from you, whomever finds him will know cell numbers, flight numbers, hotel etc....
We also list an emergency contact back home in case we are somewhere our cell phones will not pick up.
You have the right to pre-board. This way you can get that sweetie into a seatbelt asap. You might also contact the airline to "assist" you with the whole procedure. I would use a neck pouch for driver's license and boarding passes. This way you do not have to let go of his hand to dig this stuff out of your purse repeatedly.
I would travel with a backpack so both hands are free along with a shoulder bag you can put over your head and across your chest. This way you can help with toileting or diaper changing.
I always get a big wad of one dollar bills for tips.
My son, whose behavior in the airport was exhausting, was always good on the flights.
Best of luck!
mb
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Post by myangelsaliandsadi on Jan 25, 2006 1:10:54 GMT -5
I would take his carseat and keep him in that on the flight. You have to buy him a ticket but then you don't have to worry about him getting away. You can also get carts to pull the carseat on which you can also attach luggage to. VERY handy. We would not have managed on our trip with both girls and just me and my Mom and ALL of their stuff without those. It was so much easier to just keep them in their seats all the time, I didn't have to worry about them taking off. We are planning a trip somewhere this next fall and they will be almost 3 and almost 4, and they are still going to be riding the same way. No way am I going to be running around an airport chasing them. Adoption papers, your ID, definitely the letter from DH, and I think that's about it. Oh, and a drink of some kind, or gum, something to pop his ears.
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Post by andrewsmom on Jan 25, 2006 7:30:58 GMT -5
WOW... what great advice! I hope you like your new home, congrats!! -Trisha
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Post by DevensMom on Jan 25, 2006 10:49:01 GMT -5
I just took a 17 hour flight trip with lay over etc.. I had a stroller (the cheap ones from Walmart around $15) that folds along with a car seat faa approuved. along with lots of snacks and a portable dvd with Barney movies. in the airport I put the car seat on the back of the stroller. it work great since Deven is a wonderer so I did not have to chase him. You are responsible to install the car seat in which Deven was pretty good just seating next to me while doing so. the only problem I had was that he would kick the seat in front of him, so I ask if there was available seats so perhaps the person in front of us could be moves so not to be kicked . the stewards were very nice and understood and always tried to accomodate us, Deven charm help lots too. he was they boyfriend and man did he work them up everytime they walk by. make sure during take off and landing he is chewing , drinking and swallowing for the ears to pop, unless he has tube then it will not be a problem since no pressure build in. good luck.
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Post by Gina on Jan 25, 2006 12:20:32 GMT -5
Dawn, make sure to keep us posted after the flight! I am way interested to see how it goes. I am the one that posted the post about flying to Hawaii. Ashton also wanders off, in fact, she is a flat out escape artist. And she takes pride in her abilities! Let us know. I hope it all goes well.
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Post by Chester on Jan 25, 2006 13:51:39 GMT -5
Wonderful Advice!
I love the laminated tag idea! We will work on that tonight! I feel like I should put one on myself as well saying something like overly protective and prepared Mom, if you need a kleenex, benadryl, motion sickness tablet, piece of gum, sucker, drink of juice, a dvd, a book, etc I've got it, if not just leave me alone, I'm on a mission.
My DH drove one of our cars to Kentucky last week. I sent a car seat and stroller with him in the car. I couldn't imagine lugging them around the airport......hope I don't regret that. If it doesn't go well on the way down, JT and I will bring the car seat and stroller back on the plane with us!
I feel better already.
Oh~he does have tubes in his ears. Does that really mean he shouldn't have pressure problems? I think that was one of my biggest worries. My ears are awful when flying. He doesn't chew gum yet, I knew I'd offer him his cup, and or a sucker, but that doesn't mean he will use them at that moment.
Thanks guys! Dawn
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Post by ValerieC on Jan 25, 2006 15:28:43 GMT -5
What great advice! I've traveled for years with my children, typically by myself. With me being in NJ, and my parents in Ca. I would take them home at least once a year while DH ususally had to work.
I didn't have any wanderers then, but boy oh boy, does Alethea feel comfortable going anywhere without me. Today she walked out of Chick Fil A while her brother was watching her.
I can't imagine an airport with her and no stroller and 3 other kids saying Mom, Mom, Mom. I think I'd go crazy now! Wait! I've already hit that level, what's after crazy? LOL!
My only advice was already touched upon, DVDs, oh, I always brought brand new toys still in the package. When they were old enough, they picked them out and knew they were specifically for the plane trip. Worked like a charm everytime!
Valerie C
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Post by Chris on Jan 25, 2006 18:06:09 GMT -5
A stroller is a must! You can take it right up to the airplane and then they will put it with the luggage. When you leave the airplane, it will be right outside the door.
I have flown a few times with Sarah and she hasn't had any discomfort with her ears (tubes). I think you will be set if you have dvds, playdough and some small toys.
Chris
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Post by ethansmammy on Jan 25, 2006 18:07:26 GMT -5
Hi Dawn, My son's ENT specialist said he would have no pressure problems flying when he had tubes - now he drew diagrams and explained it all - all of which I cannot remember as it was about 3 years ago. But when we flew Ethan didn't bother at all about his ears - he was only one at the time. Ethan is a little runaway and he is old enough to understand opportunity so now in busy places I have his 'baby reins' on, I know this isn't popular with everyone, but they are very cute with a balloon print on, I also have a pink princess pair for my two year old daughter. This keeps them close to me and safe, and if I was going to an airport they would have them on. Good luck! Elaine.
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Post by Gina on Jan 25, 2006 18:43:51 GMT -5
Funny, I was trying to think what the "baby reins" were called. All I could think about was a "baby leash", but that didn't sound very good. I think that would be a great idea in a crowded area like an airport. I wouldn't want to take a chance. Good idea!
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Post by dannysmom on Jan 25, 2006 19:13:11 GMT -5
I was reading all the responses to see if anyone mentioned the "leash". I saw a thread a while back ( I am not sure if it was this board or not). I was always against these things until I had my Daniel and learned that some children just wander. The thing looks like a backpack with an animal on the back...and the cord (or leash) part is attached to the animal. So it looked like a good invention to me....just wanted to mention it just in case you didn't have one!!
Good luck with the trip. The whole process sounds exciting to me. I have lived in the same house for many man years......sounds exciting to be picking up and moving to another state!!
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Post by Valerie on Jan 25, 2006 22:52:26 GMT -5
I havn't flown with Nicholas yet (although we're debating on doing it this summer), so no help there. I just wanted to say we did live in Kentucky for a couple years, and it's beautiful!! And much warmer in the winter than these northern states!
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Post by alisonzmom on Jan 26, 2006 14:39:41 GMT -5
Dawn, I am "guilty" of giving my kids Benadryl if we're going on an extended trip! It has definitely saved what little sainty I have left on more than a few occasions. I would though add one note of caution.... while Benadryl can make most kids a bit drowsy, it can have the exact OPPOSITE effect on some!!! My oldest daughter was somewhere around 15 - 18 months old and we were going to be flying from Pittsburgh, PA non-stop to Las Vegas so I gave her some Benadryl about a half hour after we took off.... and instead of her getting all mellowed-out and sleepy, she turned into a demonicly possessed little whirlwind!!! For 2 hours she was crazed, couldn't sit still, all she wanted to do was run up and down the aisles of the plane. Normally Caitlin was a very well-behaved kid, was pretty laidback, loved to sit and be read to.... But not then!!! If you haven't given JT Benadryl before, it might be a good idea to try it before hand just to make sure you don't have an experience like I did!!! Congratulations on your new home and enjoy your trip and visit with Hubby!!! Barb
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Post by ValerieC on Jan 26, 2006 21:59:34 GMT -5
Barb,
LOLROFL! I can just picture a little Caitlin running the aisles of the plane while mom is mortified! Dreaming of sleep, but getting chaos in it's place.
This is what Benedryl does to me. If I take any antihistimine, I have to know I'll be up for hours, not sitting, but running. Crazy, isn't it!
I'm with Barb, try before you fly!
Valerie C
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