I present to your attention a guest post to the burning The theme of “travel with children” by Svetlana Nekrasova. Recently and we there was a similar article about traveling by car with a child, well, in this case, personal experience is connected with flights on airplanes. I hope someone will find this information useful.
Relatives consider us a little crazy, friends – adventurers, but in fact we are a happy young family, who once left a provincial town to better find out first Moscow, and then the whole world. We periodically move from one place to another and that is especially surprising environment, our most active movements began with the birth daughters.
She is now 2 years and 5 months old. Here are our longest movements during this time:
Moscow (where she was born) – the Far East (daughter of 6 months, 6 days in the usual train compartment) Far East – Moscow (daughter 9 months, 8 hours by plane) Minsk – Far East (one and a half daughter years, flight with one change, in the amount of 1.5 days on the road) Far East – Thailand (daughter 1 year 10 months, flight with two transfers, more than two days on the road) Thailand – Far East (daughter 2 years 2 months, flight with two transfers, about two days on the road)
We had different transfers. We either completely vacated the house. and left for a long time, or collected only the most necessary, and other things just waited for us in the apartment.
For the first time we went, when my daughter was six months old. Six days in a compartment the trains gave a lot of impressions, experience and confidence that now any journey we can take.
Walk during the train stop, six months daughter
Snack on the top shelf coupe
Only once we had a strong climatic contrast – from winter to summer. The difference between these photos is three days, and the temperature a difference of 55 degrees (from -25 to +30).
Winter in the Far East of Russia
Winter in Thailand, oh. Phuket
We are no longer afraid of long trips with a child. I think that in This is largely due to the correct attitude and confidence that everything will be fine. Of course, always turn on the head and in advance we think over everything in order to make the road more comfortable. With time developed our family travel principles, that each subsequent movement allows you to do even more comfortable.
- The main principle of our travels is to organize moving so that the child is interesting on the road with minimum set of toys.
- Each trip is a peering into the world, the knowledge of its new faces. When we ourselves are interested in traveling, the child doesn’t is bored.
- In addition to entertainment, there is another important point – it is compliance. mode and its adjustment. Seriously approach the issue of choice flights and the compilation of logistics movements. So on long flights we prefer night flights, with a long transfer (15-20 hours) settled in the hotel, and at the airport we always find the ability to wash and even wash a child with a large of necessity.
- And more important principles regarding things and products that we take with ourselves: clothes – checked, toys – interesting, food is my favorite.
And now I will tell you more about how we go through fees in the road and what allows us to make every flight comfortable and interesting for the whole family, including the baby.
The content of the article
- 1 strategy fees
- 2 What toys to take on the road?
- 2.1 What food should I take with me?
- 3 What things are useful at the time of the flight?
- 4 Behavior strategy on the road
- 5 What do parents expect with a child at the airport?
- 5.1 How and what we play on the road.
- 5.2 Two days on the road: how not to go crazy?
- 6 Behavior of parents during travels that save strength and nerves
Contents
Charge strategy
Regarding fees, you can certainly give simple advice – travel light, and then fees will also be easy. but to put into practice such advice is much more difficult, especially if there is a child and the trip is long.
We traveled with a wide variety of luggage – from ten bags, up to two backpacks. The first trips were tedious – the child was still very small, and we have little experience. Things typed many and hardly placed their luggage. Our hands were not enough to at a time to move everything, worn in batches.
After each trip my husband said – the next time at least two times reduce the number of things. The next times, and we tensed instead of ten already in eight bags. So empirically developed their own strategy fees. In our winter we went to Thailand this year with two ordinary backpacks (the size of the school) and a small bag. Everyone was happy!
So, our strategy of fees:
1. Lists. Based on goals and duration travel, compiled a list of things on the road. Since now we there are three such lists, too.
2. Joint discussion. In advance with my husband We discuss what is important to take with you. Discussing controversial moments. For example, to take a blender or not, to take a tripod or not, what clothes useful and in what quantity. Even at this stage, the husband tells us what weight restrictions we have (depending on airlines) and which bags we take (we have a choice of both a suitcase and backpacks of different sizes and bags). Still exchanging recommendations traveling bloggers whose sites are viewed on stage preparation for the trip.
3. Primary collection. In advance (five days) everyone is looking at his things and for himself determines what will be take the road. If you can do without these things before departure, then we immediately put them in a bag. If the thing is still in use (of course, there are most of them), then we just separate them from other things. (in a separate drawer of a dresser, or in a package, or in convenient stationery folders with a button).
This is the primary collection of things, there is an understanding volumes desired. Often, during primary collection, we postpone more Things to take really. Subsequent revisions too much will be left, but to decide what will go and what does not, will be much easier.
The primary view of things happens to everyone in their mode. When I have 20 minutes free, I open the closet and I put clothes for travel on a separate shelf. Then when the time reappears, I go up to the rack and select several books that I want to take with me. When another 10 minutes appear, I put everything I need into a cosmetic bag. It turns out, everything remains on I still use many places, but there are some structuredness of things and isolation of those that I want to take.
4. Basic fees. Basic fees carried out the day before the trip, preferably in the absence of child Most often, I walk with my daughter, and my husband is going. The main the task is to put all the things in bags / backpacks / bags and make sure everything holds out. At this stage it becomes clear whether it is necessary to reduce the number of things on the road. More often need))) Especially children)))
At the same stage the check-list is made. It is different from the list. things on the road by the fact that in front of each item there is square for the tick “put” and the checklist is drawn up as much as possible detail, fixing each unit. So, we write not “wires”, but We prescribe in separate points each wire: charging for phone charging for the camera, USB cable for the camera and etc.
The checklist for collecting items from each family member is different.
5. Final fees. Pass the day before. Nearly always together. The daughter usually sleeps at this time. Most things going to her husband in silence (it is better not to disturb). First, the full concentration helps not to forget anything and at least approximately remember that where it lies, if you need to get it. Secondly, without distraction things are going faster. Third, the husband has talent to pack things. He has more than one backpack I stack in two. At this stage, all things add up to checklists. We don’t think we’ve taken everything or not – it’s all a hundred times already. thought out in the previous stages. The task is to fold the things that recorded in the checklist.
6. Product fees. At last going to the package with the products. Most pre-cooked eaten during the first day so this is temporary luggage.
So are our usual fees on the road. There were, of course, more spontaneous when gathered in chaos and haste when moving from Moscow to Minsk, there were very easy charges when flying to Thailand and almost did not take clothes with them.
Depending on the upcoming trip, preparation may be more thorough or relaxed. But generally described above strategy fees always allowed us to gather in optimum terms and without nervous breakdowns, even when the daughter demanded increased attention or less sleep than usual.
A little more detail on the features of the collection children’s things.
Yes, it is this category of things that turns out to be the largest and important. Unpredictable climate, temperature at the airport, plane, hotel requires a set of different things. Plus you always take more, because children are so unpredictable, and the T-shirt is filled with juice and wet pants need replacing.
When collecting children’s things it is important not to invent anything, but take what the baby wears regularly now. Usually, These are the most comfortable things for the child. There were times when I was on time. fees found among things never worn dress or pants and decided to take them with you. Almost always these things remained unclaimed, as their paths came to light flaws (dress – big, and pants – narrow and uncomfortable). Now on the road, I try not to experiment, but to take proven things.
An important point that many do not attach due importance – it take a few baby things that will allow on a completely new place for a child to give a sense of habitual houses. We always take with us our beloved baby diaper. (use as a blanket), her pillow, her plate and mug, several toys She is very happy about these things. They become for her connecting thread between past and present.
A separate item will talk about toys.
What toys to take on the road?
Properly selected toys for the road make getting more more pleasant. We have them divided into three groups:
1. Favorite toys, from among those that have houses. These toys hide two weeks before the trip, and then they are perceived with particular delight by the child. Of course, we take toys convenient in transportation. Everything is fragile and bad washable leave at home.
2. New toys – purchased or made by yourself by hands. New toys can permanently captivate a child not only on the road, but also later, during the adaptation period at a new place. I I sew toys from felt. They are very light and compact. Need to take into account that the search for interesting new toys in stores and preparing your own takes time. I’m puzzled by this The question is usually about two weeks.
Felt beasts
3. Not toy razvlekalki. This includes drawing pad, pencils, stickers (plot books, simple stickers and scrapbook), children’s books (preferably in thin cover and paper cover)
All this, too, buy in advance. Just in different situations. I look at the goods and find the format I need or interesting the idea. I know my daughter’s preferences in toys and follow them. Better buy another machine, with which she plays well, than a doll in the hope that she, as a girl, will show interest in her.
Be sure to take motor toys: cars, animals on wheels and stuff like that. With them you can come up with a lot of games without even leaving the chairs in the waiting room.
Some of the toys put in the bag, which we hand in the luggage. I.e there will be no access to these toys on the way. Part of the toys fold in a backpack that stays with us as a carry-on bag and access to toys easy. And a few toys (the smallest) put to in my pocket (and me and my husband). These toys are very helpful when in the backpack climb inconveniently. For example, in a taxi, while traveling to airport or at check-in.
I remember a ridiculous case when, when passing through customs control husband felt around and asked to show what lies in the outer pocket shirts (something bulging and hard). Would you see the face of a customs officer and the smiles of others, when the husband took out a small goose from his pocket – daughter’s favorite toy at the time.
What food to take with you?
For ourselves (adults) we take convenient in transportation products. For our food, I do not particularly worry. I know that we can always buy yourself something if you want. And we can suffer and hold several days on sandwiches, unless there are other options.
It won’t work like that with a child, so it works for the child another principle is to take your favorite food, even if it is not quite convenient to carry.
So, I often take oatmeal with me. I cook it in front of expensive and hot pour into a pre-cooked container (the most common food container). I still offer warm porridge to my daughter the first meal. Yes, it is somewhat inconvenient to transport, chances are that it will spill (never, the main thing is competent packaging), it is not always convenient to eat it in field conditions, but but she is nourishing, not dry and a daughter loves her. I cook a little more the daughter usually eats, so the head is fed up families.
For the rest of the products using bags. Food Sachets – This is our last trip hack. In Thailand, they are so used to them that now continue to use. I’m going on the road now a la carte I distribute on bags. For example, cookies do not take one package 0.5 kg, and four packets of 5-6 cookies. For one meal as Once the bag is enough, I throw it away with the crumbs. Such You can safely give the bag to the child. It is convenient to hold and There is very little content (in the case of a fall and a scattering throw away and easy to collect).
If, for example, I boil eggs, then I put each egg in a separate package. Then it is easy to clean it without even taking it out of the bag and after eating package to release. Debris is much less convenience more.
I do the same with horns, sausages and sandwiches. Used to cooked chicken drumsticks and bagged. The principle is simple: took out the bag, ate it, threw it away.
Fruits, vegetables on the road take reluctantly. First, they are heavy, and to eat them, you need to eat a lot. Secondly, not always comfortable in transportation and eating (bananas crumpled, oranges and mango poured all the juice and the peel is uncomfortable to clean and so Further). Third, many fruits cause hard work. bowel that may cause additional discomfort.
Still do not take anything fermented milk on the road.
I plan the menu for the journey in advance and for 4-5 days before the trip I exclude these products from our food (especially from the child’s menu), otherwise we risk on the road to find out what has been carefully prepared Mom’s food, already tired. To persuade and convince in such cases not it turns out.
We had a moment when I was so carried away by the last days in Asia (we then lived in Chiang Mai) that she forgot to correct our power supply. We found delicious sausages in a supermarket in the dough and with pleasure to eat them, saving time on cooking. On the road the same (which lasted about two days) the daughter said that sausages ate and completely abandoned them. And I was betting on them !!! In general, my daughter was eating a bit of a bun and chocolate bar. By the end of the trip she was so hungry that with a lot she ate noodles with soy sauce in a Chinese cafe in Beijing, where we had another transplant.
The first experience of using chopsticks (Hong Kong airport)
We eat hot food after days of dry nuts (Beijing)
Tastes of all children are different, in the matter of food it is worth being guided solely on the preferences of the child. I try to take the products just cooked / cooked at home (for example, bake pancakes or boil pelmenku), and cookies / chocolates on the road can buy.
We also always carry disposable spoons, a thin towel. and water in small bottles. With small bottles on inspection most often pass without problems (we explain that for the child), and But with a large 1.5 liter just will not be allowed. By the way, at the customs control in Beijing (the most rigorous and careful control of all time flights) did not give even a small bottle to carry.
What things are useful at the time of the flight?
We always have a clear distinction between baggage and hand luggage – it is logical. Hand luggage is also divided: one backpack – laptops, appliances / electronics and documents, second backpack – things in the road.
When we flew from Thailand, there were jeans, sneakers, jackets that were worn at the airport before boarding (on airplanes often cool). There are also spare items for the child to change clothes. and insulation, if necessary, and all sorts of useful things, such as toilet paper and wet wipes. Be sure to take a closer cars are our universal toys in any situation – and a little book. We also carry a pot. It’s comfortable. Use it or in the waiting room, if the toilet is far away, or in the toilet itself.
Our items when flying from Phuket to Chiang Mai, Thailand
Behavior strategy
Thinking through trips and fees is certainly a laborious process, but he worth it to give him enough time and effort. If on stage of preparation correctly put all the things sealed products and put together all the necessary documents then the process Reaching is at least twice as easy and comfortable.
Another important point, greatly simplifies the road chores – compliance with the rules. First of all it concerns allowable baggage allowance. We had experience overpayment for the advantage. it extra nerves and unreasonably large sums. We’d better leave some things, and the heaviest of clothes we shall put on ourselves than we will hope at random.
We spent more time at airports throughout the flights than in the plane itself. No doubt the comfort of waiting depends on from the airport itself: the work of staff and internal arrangement. But internal readiness to resolve current issues also matters. situations and long wait.
What do parents expect with a child at the airport?
1. Many people and huge airport lounges.
Large overseas airports that we have visited (Beijing, Hong Kong, Bangkok) – these are such giants that I have the spirit captured only from one appearance. Inside they were even bigger – a real city in miniature. If you will move freely, the plane will fly away for sure while you figure out what’s what.
Save time and effort when departing from major airports to us help interaction as a team and composure. So, with when we enter the airport, my daughter and I stay with our luggage, and my husband does reconnaissance (10-15 minutes). During this time, he finds out where check-in counter, finds our flight on the board of departures and makes sure that there is no delay, and everything goes on schedule, finds scales for baggage checks for packing and packing for bags (for necessary). In passing determines where there are toilets and others. objects of interest to us. It is much more convenient and faster than all family wander around the airport.
On the way at the stage of registration and customs control (and other official procedures) we divide areas of responsibility. Husband’s task take us where it is necessary, tell us what to do, solve all questions with staff and control documents. I am completely and completely responsible for the safety of the child and satisfy her interest in knowledge of the world. That is why I do not ask my husband too many questions, not I control his actions and completely out of my head organizational issues. It allows me to focus on myself, on the baby and keep inner peace.
2. High loyalty of staff to families with a child.
Traveling abroad, I enjoy the attention that turns out to families with children at airports. We miss without queues, register without reminder to the most convenient places in cabin, offer extra food on the plane, on the plane us launch the first along with VIP passengers. When inspecting me with child skip past the frame. The staff is smiling and trying to help.
We conducted the most thorough inspection in Beijing. Every second they asked to open the bag, they didn’t allow water to be carried even a bottle, I was first inspected personally, felt clothes. But even then they did not wake up my daughter who was sleeping with me hands.
3. The need to continually interest the child to avoid whims and boredom.
Some of the time, toys taken from by myself. When they are diverse, the child is easy to offer as outdoor games, and calm.
Like what we play on the road.
In the queues for registration and when passing through customs they help out books and albums with stickers. I like educational books, where stickers are needed for assignments. That is, the child does not just gets a sheet of stickers in his hands, and a whole book with themed pictures and tasks. In the last trip with my daughter success was a book with reusable stickers based on fairy tales.
A book with stickers on arrival in Thailand for a long time used popular with my daughter
In the waiting room favorite game – with cars. With us on the road two miniature tipper, which can roll off the seats, ride a race, overcome obstacles and someone to carry.
In an aircraft seat (especially during takeoff and landing, when it is important that the child is sitting on his hands or has been fastened in his armchair) – books with children’s rhymes and stickers as well. More from With interest we are looking at all the booklets for passengers.
Daughter is studying the evacuation plan
During the flight we play with finger toys, draw in Notepad and invent games with some kind of soft beast.
Only once at Bangkok Airport (Don Muang Airport) during waiting we found a children’s corner for games. This is of course a fairy tale! An hour and a half of time passed very quickly and unnoticed. But this was only once.
Kids Corner at Don Muang Airport (Bangkok)
When toys get bored or the situation does not involve playing games This moment, I am interested in what offers situation.
So, in addition to toys at the airport a child can entertain:
- the study of patterned carpet (or any other genital cover): step on the line, step over or jump over them, we stamp on the squares and so on
- riding trolleys with things
- screens with cartoons
- taking off outside the window
- stomping on the steps
- escalators
- portable racks near the gates (pass under them, move their). Here the principle works: “you can, until you say reverse ”
- warm your hands under the dryer in the toilet (hit the season!)
- count the seating in the waiting room.
Waiting for the flight
A popular way to captivate a child is to enable it on a tablet or laptop cartoons, but we don’t use it. I can photos on show the phone – my daughter likes to look at, and cartoons only even more it tires. It seems looking with interest, but after sharply becomes capricious and even whiny. So for now do without of them.
While picking up, we easily agree on ice cream and other sweets. A portion of ice cream, which is eaten with a spoon a little bit, can sit the child on the spot for 20 minutes. Excellent opportunity for the whole family to take a break.
And my husband and I are changing. For example, he first walks with daughter in the waiting room, and the next time my daughter will pull by the hand and say “let’s go there” – I will walk with her.
Two days on the road: how not to go crazy?
Long flights require more preparation and strength, but here too solvable. Traveling in Asia, we are faced with the fact that flights with one and two transplants were the only ones suitable for us. cost. Direct flights (not charters) cost unrealistically expensive at the time of purchase. In the end, several times we were on the road two days in a row. All this time it was necessary to provide the child at least some mode, nutrition, hygiene and entertainment.
All at once: I feed and read a fairy tale while my daughter is sitting on the pot
Mode – more listened to the child and adjusted to it. Taken into account the change of time zones and helped child smoothly restructured. Sometimes there were two daytime sleep instead one, sometimes later laying in the night. Somewhere consciously delayed another dream or, on the contrary, woke up early. Here it is important to turn off the usual stereotypes and act on situations.
Nutrition – each time faced with a decrease appetite. This is normal, so they did not force them to eat, listened to her wishes. On the road we allow more than usual sweets, from which the child takes enough energy for himself. So, my daughter has a favorite delicacy – ice cream.
Hygiene – retire to comfortably change clothes and to rinse the child was an opportunity in the room of the mother and child (in Hong Kong airport, for example) or in a regular toilet. For example, Thailand has clean toilets at all airports and I have never there was no disgust. Wet wipes help out always and everywhere, but without paranoia. Frequent washing helps to moisturize the face, eyes and nose, as air is often too dry with air conditioners and closed space.
Entertainment – we write a lot, think out and with wish to support the beginnings of the child.
What to do if the flight is night?
It requires taking a situation and solving problems as they occur. appearances. Often our experiences are not justified, and long night flights are much calmer than small ones flights
I love night flights. I remember I was very worried about the eight o’clock flight with one and a half year old daughter. So, she fell asleep as soon as we got on a plane in Moscow and woke up when we landed in Khabarovsk, having slept in the amount of about eight hours. With us twice fed. My daughter slept in our arms (the place she has not yet was supposed to, and the plane was full) and woke up only twice, during the time of which we helped her change her posture and she fell asleep again.
Behavior of parents during travels that save power and nerves
We do not force the child to sit quietly next to us, give him freedom of expression. At first, and slipped thoughts “A Is it possible? “,” What will people think around, “but we quickly got sick of it and formed our view on what is possible and what can not.
What does it matter what people think? If the child is good – he plays, knows the world and if he does not spoil the property, does not pass permissible limits, then give the opportunity to play as she wants. With this we stay close, do not let the game take its course, but also not we drag her away every time she comes up with a new innocent lesson in front of everyone.
Once when checking in for a flight we had to stand in queues more than an hour (instead of the usual 10-15 minutes) due to the fact that Difficulties have a person in front of us. It was a long boring expectation. So our daughter just lay down on the floor (clean, soft carpet) and considered a book with stickers. Then she has it tired, and we ran a race in an empty corridor, and then, sitting on the floor, she ate a sandwich. Borders are only in our heads and often they do not allow us to relax, and make all the burden pull up your little children who have no such boundaries yet. They are independent and know the world with interest.
And another time during a tedious transplant in Moscow my daughter climbed under the seats in the waiting room on her knees and katala cars. Yes, the floor was a bit cold and dirty, but the child was able to switch to the game, distract, and not whine from boredom. Moreover, dad was crawling around her and together they had a great time. time. Hands then washed, pants dressed and waited safely such a desirable boarding.
Let the child crawl on the floor, eat with crumbs, speak loudly and makes other things uncomfortable for adults. We try to respond calm on it After all, the crumbs can be collected, wash hands, and in the case needing to just apologize.
Svetlana Nekrasova Blog “Being a Wind” http://nekrasova.me/
Life hacking 1 – how to buy a good insurance
Choosing insurance is now unrealistically difficult, therefore, to help everyone travelers, I make a rating. To do this, constantly monitor forums, I study insurance contracts and use insurance by myself.
Insurance Rating
Life hacking 2 – how to find a hotel 20% cheaper
First, choose a hotel on Booking. They have a good base offers, but the prices are NOT the best! The same hotel is often possible find 20% cheaper in other systems through the RoomGuru service.
Discount hotels
