It can be very stressful to take a flight, and having a child with you will make it even more hectic. You will have to go through all of the hassle involved with air travel while trying to be responsible for a little one. Here are some helpful tips that will ease some of the strain.
Plan ahead. It is really as simple as that. While it may be fun to throw caution to the wind and be spontaneous, this is not a good idea when children are traveling with you. There are a lot of things that can go wrong, and you do not want to have any mishaps occur while children are around. This may upset the child, which may make them much more difficult to deal with.
Travel on an airline that allows you to select your own seats. This is something that may come at a premium, but you do not want your child seated somewhere with a stranger. If you go to book a flight and there are no seats available where you can sit together, it is best to seek out another airline. In the event that you cannot find seats that are side-by-side, you may be able to find one directly across from you. If you like, you can ask another passenger to switch seats with you.
If you are not going to be gone for very long, you should pack everything in carry-on luggage. This will eliminate the need to wait a long time at the baggage claim area. Since your child is a ticketed passenger, you will be able to take pack a bag for them and take it on board. While you want to bring along a few items to keep your child entertained, avoid bringing more than is necessary. You will have less to unpack when you get to your destination.
Talk to your child ahead of time and stress the importance of good behavior. There are many parents that fail to do this and their children end up going haywire at the airport. Children get very restless easily, so you should talk to them a lot while you are at the airport. Do not allow yourself to get so distracted that you ignore them. Not only will this upset them, but it is not a safe thing to do.
If the oxygen masks in the plane deploy, make sure to place yours on first. This is the best way to assure the safety of you and your child. Placing your child's mask on first is a mistake, because this may leave you in a position where you are unable to place your own mask on due to lack of oxygen.
As stated earlier in the article, it is very stressful to travel when you have a child in tow. The tips here should make things a bit easier for you. There may still be a few bumps in the road, but hopefully reading this has fully prepared you.