Flying With Kids This Summer? Experts Share Tips To Reduce Stress

Flying with children could be challenging for parents, especially the first time moms and dads. Several air passengers have admitted that they struggle to travel with their own kids, according to a travel survey.

In the survey by Yahoo, the parents also admitted that a journey with babies and children is really stressful when the kids are restless. Some of the air travelers even said there are times when they wished to sit apart from their children.

Several surveys by Expedia.com also revealed that people traveling with babies and children are often labeled as the most annoying type of airline travelers by their fellow passengers. Most of the air travelers do not feel comfortable traveling with seat kickers and inattentive parents.

However, things can be made easier for the family and their co-passengers by taking a few things. Here is the list of things that can keep everyone on board happy, comfortable and occupied:

1. Carry milk bottles in a separate baggage: It will be always convenient for the parents to carry milk bottles in separate bags and limit the liquids to 3.4 ounces, according to Ranjana Armstrong, the founder of Nugget, a family travel website. Armstrong revealed that Transportation Security Administration (TSA) agents usually do not ask the parents to screen the milk bottles separately. But they will do so if they have asked other passengers to pull out the liquids.
2. Pack enough food for the whole family: On board menu is limited and kids may not be happy with the options. Some children may also face health issues after consuming the food they bought from flight. So, it’s always better to pack food from home while traveling with children.
3. Be prepared to entertain children: Younger kids are often restless and it’s really hard to make them sit at one place for too long. A tablet loaded with their favorite videos and games combined with a good pair of headphone could keep them engaged during the journey. Kids’ magazines and small toys could also be good options, according to the parents working with Wirecutter (via The New York Times.
4. Keep a leak-proof water bottle, baby blanket and paper bags in the cabin bag: An easy-to-handle leak-proof water bottle, a packable warm puffy blanket and paper bags can make the journey clean and warm for the whole family and the fellow passengers.
5. Teach children polite public behavior: It is always important to teach the children about polite public behavior. ”In-flight etiquette is life etiquette. And we always expect polite public behavior. No screaming, no crying, no kicking and no running away,” Keeley-Thurman, a travel blogger, told The Washington Post.