Flying with a Toddler

I was visiting West Philly Mama blog which made me think of our upcoming travel plans. We ar heading to NYC next weekend and then Florida a few weeks after that. For the most part, I'd consider Preston a well traveled baby all considering he's only been on the earth for 18 months. I would say that he's probably flown roundtrip close to 10 times. However, the older he gets, the harder it is to fly with him. For the most part, I fly with him alone. So I'd like to consider myself pretty experienced in this department. I can get through security with a baby, carry on suitcase, diaper bag and stroller in a breeze. However, it was definitely challenging the last two times. He's at an age now where nursing him doesn't put him to sleep instantly which was always my go to plan. He's also curious about everything and everybody. Even though I buy a lap child ticket, we've been pretty fortunate about scoring a free seat so that he can have his own (with the exception of one flight). However, the one flight he literally pulled the shade up and down for half of the flight until I moved his seat. He's also incredibly fascinated by the tray table and yes, no matter how much I try, he's the kid who will kick the back of your seat because what else can you do with your legs on a 2+ hour flight when you can't walk around? I know he must drive the people around him crazy.

One thing I've learned about Preston is that he needs containment in order to fall asleep. This could mean being in the Ergo, strapped in to a carseat or simply being in his crib. We usually don't take the car seat when visting my mom because 1. there's no guarantee that we will get a free seat and 2. they have one for him so it would be pointless to add another heavy item when I'm already traveling solo. Someone told me about a CARES harness which looks good in theory but it expensive (SN- if anyone has one that they are willing to sell, please let me know).

So I'm going to take some tips from West Philly Mama and his Pediatrician...pack lots of snacks, go to the dollar store and buy some cheap new toys that we can pitch afterwards, and download some episodes of Sesame Street or Barney on to my iPhone.

If anyone else has any other tips for flying with a Toddler, please let me know.

Love You Forever

I find this book very strange but oddly enough I'm drawn to it. So drawn that I may actually buy it to add to the little one's library.

It's about the love between a mother and her son that transcends over time. Each night when he's asleep she takes him in her arms, rocks him back and forth and sings to him her own little song. However, she does this little ritual even when he's an adult and living in his own place across town. She takes her ladder, climbs in to his room and rocks him. I almost died of laughter when I read it for the first time. I have so many questions like what the hell does his wife think? What if they were having sex? Why doesn't he wake up? Does she have difficulty sleeping? Why doesn't she ask for a key? Quite honestly, I think it would make an awesome SNL skit.



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