Here are 10 Tips for flying with your 1st grader:
1. Scheduling Your Flight
Is your child happiest in the morning or are they difficult to wake up most days? If you typically start your day with a big breakfast and quiet time, early morning flights might be for you. If your child is a ball of fury in the afternoon but calms down near dinner time, consider a later departure. It's important to know and understand your children's habits for many reasons but it comes in handy the most when traveling.
2. Carrying Your Carry On
Checking your bags can often lead to ridiculous fees and lost luggage. Feeling like a human mule isn't much better if you are already stressed and frazzled, or worse, out numbered. Do what works for you. The extra hundred bucks to check a bag might be worth it if your child isn't ready to be responsible for his or her own things.
3. Security and TSA Check Points
Kids under 12 in an airport are not required to remove their shoes. Kids under 12 are the only ones who actually want to remove their shoes. Let them or don't, it's totally optional and not worth the fight. Slip on shoes are a blessing in this situation because you already feel rushed and waiting for your independent 6 year old to slowly tie knots can feel like an eternity when your destination is on the other side of the terminal.
4. Waiting at the Gate
Art and airplanes are everywhere. So is free wifi. Use this time to utilize your electronics or take a walk. It might seem counter intuitive to stray away from your gate but the walking and change of scenery will make the hours sitting still just a little bit more bearable. Hop online before hand to check out some of these cool exhibits.
http://flydenver.com/artexhibits
http://www.phl.org/arts/Pages/artsexhibitions_default.aspx
http://www.miami-airport.com/art_and_exhibitions.asp
http://www.flysfo.com/web/page/atsfo/art/
http://www.atlanta-airport.com/passenger/art%20program/Permanent_Exhibits.aspx
5. Boarding
Have your tickets ready and a plan in place for which items will go under the seat and which can be tucked away in the overhead. Let them know the plan ahead of time and give them a specific task to complete. "Ok, here is 'The Plan', when we get to our row, Row 12, seat E on the left, I want you to take off your jacket and place your back pack under the seat in front of you. {pause} Ok, now tell me 'The Plan' again."
Most people would be surprised at how much children genuinely want to help. Giving them responsibilities (even if they need help later) makes them feel like they are contributing and in turn gives them a sense of accomplishment.
6. Staying Seated
Games, toys and electronics may seem like a great idea right from the get go but I always like to pack a few surprises that I save until the first signs of boredom. Over stimulating their attention too early on just leads to boredom later and by that time your arsenal may be depleted. Also, boarding is a great time for them to wiggle and move around in their seat. It's a lot more annoying to the other passengers later in the flight when everyone else has settled in.
7. Balancing Beverages
When it comes to liquids on an airplane you can't help but cry no! Even the calmest child can bump a tray and spill a cup full of ice and apple juice. Don't panic, scream or yell. Remain calm, call the flight attendant and always pack a change of clothes for both of you in your carryon.
8. Potty Breaks
We use them inside the airports after the TSA screening but before we even arrive at the gate. I pretty much ask every time we pass by one and I try my best to limit liquids an hour before departure.
9. Exiting the Aircraft
Wait. Seriously, wait as long as you can. I purposely have booked the back row on economy flights and waited until the rest of the passengers have finished removing their baggage. If your kid is seated by a window let them stand up and put on a jacket, tie their shoes, pack up their belongings, play with the air/lights/vomit bag thingy, etc. Your patience will be rewarded with NOT feeling rushed to gather your kid and carry on while other passengers breathe down your neck.
10. Rewarding Positive Behavior
I am not a perfect parent and therefor I am not above bribing my child. The trick (and not just while traveling) is to change the bribe into an incentive. Begging your child to change their attitude is a lot more work than setting expectations early on. Creating a reward system for their politeness not only reinforces manners but is also one of the only times I will splurge on extra treats and toys for my daughter. It has also set a great precedent in our family for earning praise.
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