Travelling with kids can be specifically stressful situation for your child, for you and other passengers as well. In most cases the main cause of this fear is not knowing how will other people react to you kids. Maybe, at some point of your life, even you couldn’t stand other people’s kids on a plane. On the other side, you don’t really know what might happen on the plane even if your kids are behaving well and have perfect manners.

However, we have some good news for you. With a good preparation you will be ready for every possible situation in the plane. After all, why not enjoy every minute flying with your kids. It doesn’t mean that every flight has to be a nightmare, right?

When we started writing about the tips give below we were thinking about flying with your kids only, but to be honest, some of the tips can be applied to other ways of travelling.

Ignore the hateful looks

First of all, it’s impossible to please everyone on the plane and you should remember that. There are people who literally hate kids and others who can’t stand them in long flights and similar situations. The best thing you can do about these people is just to ignore them. They don’t have more right to be on that plane than your child.

On the other side, you as a parent are responsible for your children’s behavior and you shouldn’t let them bother other people constantly. We certainly hope you are the kind of a parent who tries to make their kids behave well on the plane. So, keep an eye on your children and you won’t have any problems. And to make the flight much easier and fun, it is necessary to be prepared.

Make the discomfort go away

Flying can be very uncomfortable because of the rapid air pressure changes. It is very unpleasant for adults, and you don’t want to know how babies feel. One of the best solutions for this problem is a chewing gum, but for babes it would be best to be breastfed during takeoff and landing. This will relieve the inner pressure and the discomfort will be gone. You can also use ear plugs which are made to relieve air pressure discomfort so think about getting some before the flight. It’s really a small investment and it can really save the day.

Make a good plan before the flight

One of the frequently asked questions is – When is the right time to fly with your child? The answer is simple – NEVER!

There are parents who avoid flying with their kids until they are seven but if you can’t avoid it, have the following tips in mind.

• Let the kid rest before flight

Make sure your child rests before the flight. For example, if you have to fly early in the morning it is recommended to put your kid to bed early the day before the flight. There is no way to control a cranky child.

• Schedule the flight based on the kids sleeping habits

In case your child has to take a nap during the day it would be the best to schedule the flight at that specific time.

• Physical activity before afternoon flights

If you have to fly in the afternoon, you have to be aware that your kid will have to sit still for hours. Because of that it would be the best to spend the morning outdoors being active all the time.

• Do your best to keep your kid calm

Flying at night and arriving the next morning is an agony for most people. If you add a crying baby to the situation you get a living nightmare. Most people on such flights expect to sleep and relax during the flight. Try not to ruin it for them.

• Sit together as a family

Sitting together is important. If you have a chance to choose your seats before the flight always take advantage to use this option. If not, make sure to book your flight as early as possible to increase the chances to sit together. There are family-friendly airlines which will allow you to boar earlier and offer different entertainment options.

• The back of the plane is the best place to sit

Sitting at the back of the plane is a wise decision. The bathroom is closer, the number of people you bother is smaller and there are better chances to get help from the flight attendants.

• Make sure to take a separate seat for your kid

In case your kid is less than 2 years old, you can have it sit in your lap the whole flight. However this is not recommended at all. Your kid will be much safer in a separate seat and you will feel more comfortable as well.

As you can see, it is good to plan your flight according to your kids sleeping habits. Any attempts to change its habits the day before the flight will make you regret it - and not only you.

Bring all the things that catch your child’s attention

If the airline allows it is always good to pack several things that will distract your kid and make the flying more enjoyable. So pack the kid’s favorite toy, some sticker books, an iPad or a portable DVD player and you won’t have any problems. Make sure to bring the headphones for your little girl or boy and you are ready to go.

It is not necessary to buy some new toys for the flight. You know exactly what will occupy your kid the most and bring that as well. The new toy should be there in case you notice your kid gets bored with the toys and stuff you have brought.

A few important things to pack and stay sane

Bringing all the toys and stuff is important, but there are also some things you shouldn’t forget.

• Wet wipes, hand wipes and zip lock bags
• Extra formula or milk as well as snacks
• Spare clothes for your kid and yourself.
• Some medication and first aid supplies

Is using medications OK?

Some parents give medications to their kids when they are flying. Although it may seem fine, in some cases it may have negative effects on the child. Such medications can make your kid dizzy or over-energetic. So before you choose to use this way of making your flight better it would be smart to talk to your pediatrician first.

Talk to your kids

The final tip would be to attend your children. Keep a close eye on them and you will notice when they get bored or become too energetic. You will have the time to react and make them nice again. Try to have fun with them and use the flight to spend some quality time with them.

And in case things don’t go as planned you can be sure other parents will see you are doing your best and will sympathize with you. Don’t think about those cranky people on the plane that hate kids, you will probably never see them again so their opinion doesn’t really matter.