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Getting There

By Thomas K. Arnold
Getting There

When traveling with children, getting there and back is the hard part. That’s because a five-hour flight or a seven-hour drive is an eternity to a kid. Questions like “How many more minutes?” or “When are we going to be there?” are interspersed with demands to be fed, entertained and taken to the bathroom.

To make a trip less stressful—for you and your spawn —here are 10 tips for long flights and road trips.

In the Air

  •  Don’t forget the electronic Game Boy.
  •  Buy an extra seat for your child, even if he or she is little enough to sit on your lap. It’s safer, and a lot more comfortable.
  •  Bring gum or lollipops for takeoffs and landings. Little ears are particularly vulnerable to the change in pressure, and chewing and swallowing can be a big help.
  •  Try to sit at the bulkhead—there’s more legroom for you, and more play space for Junior.
  •  A seat in the middle of the plane, over the wings, will provide the smoothest flight.
  •  Try to book your flight to coincide with naptime—or for long flights, consider a red-eye. A sleeping child is a quiet child.
  •  Book a direct flight, whenever possible. Dashing from one gate to another at a crowded hub airport—like Dallas–Fort Worth—is even more taxing with a child.
  •  Eat beforehand.
  •  Bring snacks.
  •  Make sure the kids go to the bathroom before you board. Little bladders don’t always jibe with FAA regulations to remain seated.
    On the Road
  •  Ditto on the Game Boy.
  •  TVs with DVD players are now available that plug right into the power supply in your car. They are well worth the price ($279 for a 9-incher at Costco).
  •  Pack lots of snacks and drinks.
  •  Plan your journey, and your stops, in advance. Give each child a road atlas so he or she can follow along.
  •  Make reservations. There’s nothing like being turned away from a Red Roof Inn at 9 p.m. because there’s a hardware convention in town.
  •  Even if you’re traveling only from point A to point B, don’t overlook the many roadside attractions you come across.
  •  Don’t be afraid to take detours.
  •  Pack a porta-potty.
  •  Give each child a disposable camera. At the end of the trip, make them each a photo album.
  •  Sing. You’d be surprised how therapeutic it can be.
    —T.K.A.