[DizzyF]

Did anyone get an antihistamine prescription from their GP? Have had a few people recommend this. Not keen to drug my child but am concerned about his welfare and encountering angry passengers if he decides to have a good scream!

[Andy-Dee]

I have to say Singapore Airlines are great with them and provide colouring packs and child friendly meals.

I'd try to plan the flight times around your childs sleep patterns as it is possible to get sleep on the plane for the little ones. The ones that don't sleep and fret - seem to be those with young siblings and they wind / wake each other up.

Most of the other passengers are sympathetic and you find that children get ushered to the front of queues for the loo and toddle up and down the aisles. There are a few grumpy fellow passengers, but isn't that always the case???

Try to break the journey up and spend a day or two in Singapore or LA depending on your route.

Good luck

[Mrs Pony]

There are a few grumpy fellow passengers, but isn't that always the case???

Yea... that's us... sorry bout that...

[Kerry and David]

I have heard that some pharmacies especially the ones at the airport won't give certain medicines as they know they are being used for sedation. My own opinion is that I wouldnt do it on my 4 year old son because he hasn't had it before I dont know how he would react, also I personally wouldn't feel comfortable doing it - not saying it is wrong , thats just how I feel.
I am flying on Tuesday with my 4, 11, 16 year old. I know its going to be a nightmare as we are going straight through but they have flown a bit and I just go with the flow - yes he will have the odd moan but in all honesty I'm considerate to other passengers but also don't pay too much attention to the odd tutt etc - I bet most people on the plane have experienced 4 year olds at some point.
Have got lot's of activities to keep them occupied. The only downside (or may be an upside:p) is that I have to take tablets to fly as I get air sick without them and they can make me sleepy!

[Andy-Dee]

Yea... that's us... sorry bout that...

Understandable if you don't have kids - when you do, it is easier to be more sympathetic. I was a great tutter, BC (before child).

[nippa&pippa]

I got this anti-histamine you are talking about BUT I would never ever give it to my children to get them sleepy during flights :no it is not worth it.
Also from our experiences that we HAD to give our son this anti-histamine because he had severe allergy reaction in mid-air. I had to give him double doses to stop reaction after he was failed to response to first dose. Results of this, my son was very sleepy for rest of first legs and arrive in 2nd aiport very drownsy that my OH had to carry him around (I had 9 months old baby to carry), then very alert and full of beans during second leg flight, so he didn't go to sleep during this flight.

Just bring plenty books, paper, colouring, small toys etc, all brand news so your child got something new and exciting including his old favourite in his own new little suitcase that he can pull it/or he can sat on it and you pull it (have you heard about this suitcase?). Just IGNORE other passengers when your child is not happy because your child can pick up your stress worrying about other passengers make it worse for your child's stress.....just let other passengers moan as it is their own problem can't cope with kids ;).

[Mrs Pony]

I took Dramamine, which is a motion sickness pill, but it always makes me sleepy so I take it just to sleep in the long plane rides. Slept for about 9 hours out of the 12 hour plane ride.

Edit: Just remembered that it's a toddler :o... so probably can't use that for them...so just completely ignore everything I just said... :D

[Derv]

There could be a solution - have a "child-free airline" to rival the "smokers' airline" (aka Wheezyjet) mentioned on another post. And now I'm :exit before anyone takes me seriously!

[Pooks]

Be careful with any sedatives for your kids. When we went out to NZ for a holiday the first time my son was a month or two short of hitting the 'terrible two's'. To be on the safe side we spoke to our doctor about getting something to subdue him should he become a problem.

A couple of weeks before we left he was being very difficult (possibly the worst he has ever been) so we decided to try out the sedatives that had been prescribed. He went absolutely hyper, climbing the walls and being a total nuisance (family friendly forum otherwise I would possibly use other language to describe the tension that night).

My point is that, as with all drugs, one person can react totally different to another. In this case the, supposed, sedatives had the opposite effect. Had I given them to him on the plane then it would have been absolute chaos.

As it happened, he was the most angelic little boy you could ever have wanted on the two flights to NZ. The crew were very good with him (Malaysia Airlines) and the in-flight entertainment, pencil-case, colouring book etc, kept him more than amused.

My advice? If you are really worried then talk to your Doctor about it. If he/she decides to prescribe something then try out a little dose before you go. Chances are that they will be in awe at what is going on and you won't need any prescribed "help".

[dharder]

Did anyone get an antihistamine prescription from their GP? Have had a few people recommend this. Not keen to drug my child but am concerned about his welfare and encountering angry passengers if he decides to have a good scream!

There's phenergan and vallergan, one of them you get in the pharmacy and one you need a prescription for. Can't remember which one, would have to look it up.

We tried the non-prescription one, and the kids went restless and whiney, so no point at all. The prescription one seemed to work slighly better, although we're not talking valium here, you're not exactly knocking your child out.

I have no issues using either for kids, if there is any way I can help them through an unpleasant experience (as a long haul flight can be for a small child), then I'll do it.

But you need to make sure that it does what it is supposed to and not the opposite, so do try before you fly.

Daniela

[victoria24]

I don't know the ages of yours but a nintendo ds at £100 (probably less in duty free) is a worthwhile investment considering the alternative. I've always been an advocate of letting kids roam about. after all, they can't go anywhere unsecure on a plane!
and apologies to all the non parents but my kids happiness comes way before other tetchy passengers'

[CJ22]

If a nice custom-made box in the hold is good enough for my cat, surely it's good enough for a small child.

Yours,
Grumpy Passenger.


and apologies to all the non parents but my kids happiness comes way before other tetchy passengers'

That's okay. I enjoy frightening small children.

[victoria24]

ouch!

[peebles16]

We had the phenergan and as Daniela said were willing to try it as I knew if the boys didn't sleep they wouldn't be able to handle the flight very well :( However, both the boys didn't react very well to it (we tried it out before we left the UK) and it made our youngest very hyper and eldest very weepy strangely enough so not an option for us.

As we left just after Christmas the kids got DS Lite and V-tech handheld thingy for the wee one and they did help as alternative to movies etc but to be honest the staff are good and there are things to keep them occupied.

I can understand folks getting grumpy about kids screaming etc but they've paid for the tickets too so you just have to grin and bear it :D
Karenx

[dusk]

other passengers are why ipods and noise reduction headphones were invented :D

if only there was some way to freshen the air though :D

[Familyofmonkeys]

Most important thing is NOT to stress....

have a read of this recent thread too: http://www.emigratenz.org/forum/showthread.php?t=20531

[Georgebulldog]

We've always carried Mediced wit to use it (touches wood) we do use it when she's not well though to give her a better nights sleep
I do believe now that not stressing too much is the best way, we stressed so much over the first few flights & it was the short haul ones that were the problem, annoucing loudley over the tannoy that they are selling lottory tickets didn't help when it woke her up :wah
Loads of munchies & little toys that will last longer than 5 minutes always help, funnily we didn't use anything on the way here, had it all packed but the TV did it all for us :D

[Tia Maria]

Phenergan was available over the counter from Boots, I obviously haven't been there for a while ....... Its used to treat allergies and motion sickness, its worked for my son's car sickness in the past.

I know of plenty of people who have used it successfully and others who have found it hasn't worked for one reason or another.

As others have suggested try it out first. :nice1

There are plenty of friendly and helpful people on the plane and plenty who only think of themselves. If they don't have the common sense to realise that you wouldn't deliberately let your child cry and have a tantrum on a crowded plane then there is no point worrying about them.

It works both ways, I've had plenty of people wake my baby who I've just spent 30 minute trying to settle by standing and having a good old chat by the bassinet even when all the lights are dimmed.

In the end life is a lot sweeter in public situations when everyone has a bit of empathy for everyone else but some people just think the world revolves around them.

I felt really sorry for this young business guy who had booked the bulkhead seats as he had long legs and ended up with two babies either side of him (one of them mine). But he said, 'don't worry I've come prepared', then whipped out some ear plugs and an eye mask and slept better than the babies. :)

Cheers

Tia

[DizzyF]

Ok....not going to risk weird side affects by drugging my child.

Note: For all you non-friendly toddler haters they do serve free alcohol and headphones on flight so please use them and don't complain about a two year old!!!! (You were 2 once and someone had to put up with you!)

[thewoodies]

I find mine love being read to and having your 100% attention -mummy and daddy cant go anywhere but entertain!! Pack a selection of things for you to give to them over a period of time - so there is always something new. I carry sachets of calpol incase they feel unwell on the journey and give them a bottle or a sucking sweet for take off and landing ,so their little ears dont hurt(THAT MAKES THEM SCREAM!) we have broken the journey with a trip to disney LA so they have something to look forward to and two not to bad length flights - also will help them forget they are leaving grandma behind.

The airlines often give the children activity packs as well. I have just invested in the trunki suitcases to put their toys in etc, they are hand baggage allowance size and they can ride on them etc- good for airports.

Your problems will probably start when jet lag interferes with sleep patterns.

Good Luck

:cheers

[shakyle2906]

Our son was 4.5 when we flew. This was my main concern but i was adamant i wasnt goign to drug him either!

Air NZ were great - we had an activity pack for him plus you have individual tvs too which he loved!

We took a small carry on suitase, his own and popped some of is favourite toys in there too.

He also loved watching the plane journey on the tv!

Good luck!

Sharon
x

[dusk]

Note: For all you non-friendly toddler haters they do serve free alcohol and headphones on flight so please use them and don't complain about a two year old!!!! (You were 2 once and someone had to put up with you!)
try not to be too offended that not everyone in the world loves kids as much as their parents do :laugh

[BkyMonster]

I flew a lot when I was younger (pre- 6 years old), 6 hour or more flights every year or more. The worst thing for me was my ears. Sometimes they wouldn't pop for days. :wah
Gum helped a lot and it's a nice treat when you are young. My traveling adults made sure to take it from me before I got the idea to stick it somewhere, but it really helped.

[CJ22]

Blimey. That's the last time I admit to not finding other people's children as charming as they do! Can I have my testes back now please?

:exit

[Tia Maria]

Blimey. That's the last time I admit to not finding other people's children as charming as they do! Can I have my testes back now please?

:exit

:laugh never underestimate the last nerve that parents live on when they have spent the last 24 hours appeasing entertaining, cajoling, restraining, acting as a bed for, mopping up sick for, covered in juice from, changing a diarrhoea nappy in an incredibly small space from a small baby/toddler who doesn't want to be confined on a plane and has no concept of how this is going to be great for their future.

Just one unkind word or look can have us simultaneously bursting in to tears and seething with anger. Just one kind gesture can have us simultaneously bursting into tears and flooded with relief.

Of course next time you see a child acting up on a plane, please feel free to reason with them I'm sure their parents will be incredibly grateful for any help, while they quietly pop a Valium and collapse exhausted in the corner. :p

Cheers

Tia

[Kerry and David]

:laugh never underestimate the last nerve that parents live on when they have spent the last 24 hours appeasing entertaining, cajoling, restraining, acting as a bed for, mopping up sick for, covered in juice from, changing a diarrhoea nappy in an incredibly small space from a small baby/toddler who doesn't want to be confined on a plane and has no concept of how this is going to be great for their future.

Just one unkind word or look can have us simultaneously bursting in to tears and seething with anger. Just one kind gesture can have us simultaneously bursting into tears and flooded with relief.

Of course next time you see a child acting up on a plane, please feel free to reason with them I'm sure their parents will be incredibly grateful for any help, while they quietly pop a Valium and collapse exhausted in the corner. :p

Cheers

Tia
:laugh:laugh You must have your crystal ball out - that will be me on Tuesday!

k x

[Moorf]

Blimey. That's the last time I admit to not finding other people's children as charming as they do! Can I have my testes back now please?

:exit

And you wonder why some of us keep schtum?

from
Another grumpy passenger who sees no reason for kids to be running around airplanes annoying others... sorry, I paid, too!

[dharder]

Another grumpy passenger who sees no reason for kids to be running around airplanes annoying others... sorry, I paid, too!

My kids pay too, you know :)

I actually don't find kids in general appealing or charming, sometimes I don't even find my own very appealing. But I can still somehow make it through a flight (a few hours out of a lifetime) and still have a sympathetic look for the mum of the crying baby.

Daniela

[Moorf]

Daniela - you missed a vital part of my post "running around". I have every sympathy for the mother with a crying baby (unlike OH who needs a sharp reminder that it's a baby).

It's the toddlers who are allowed to run around the cabin that annoy me, I personally don't find that acceptable.

[dharder]

Daniela - you missed a vital part of my post "running around". I have every sympathy for the mother with a crying baby (unlike OH who needs a sharp reminder that it's a baby).

It's the toddlers who are allowed to run around the cabin that annoy me, I personally don't find that acceptable.

just tried to edit my earlier post, sounded far too harsh, that wasn't my intention at all...

I guess I would mostly like to remind people on planes that if there was a choice between the plane and some other means of transport less stressful for everyone involved, I'm sure people with small children wouldn't use the plane (well, I know I wouldn't). But unfortunately, there isn't. And everytime I do the flight, I promise myself that I won't do it again EVER. Never works, though.

Daniela

[Tia Maria]

It's a hard life, isn't it...

My kids pay too, you know :)

I actually don't find kids in general appealing or charming, sometimes I don't even find my own very appealing. Doesn't mean I can't somehow make it through a flight (a few hours out of a lifetime) and still have a sympathetic look for the mum of the crying baby.

Daniela

Yes, I have no idea why people think we want them to like our kids. :laugh

As a parent you just can't win. The reality is no toddler is going to sit happily on an airplane for 8 hours solid, or even 2 hours for that matter. But if we keep them strapped in and crying, we get looks or if we let them walk around - which stops them crying, we get looks for letting them bother people.

Regardless of how someone might feel about children, the truth is the majority of parents on long distance flights put a hell of a lot of energy into trying to keep everyone happy. Hence, numerous posts about what stuff to take, routes to use, sedatives to administer.....

Maybe those that get annoyed don't think this is the case? Or maybe you think children shouldn't be allowed to travel? Or maybe your expectations of what is achievable with a toddler is just not based on any kind of reality?

As to 'keeping schtum', I think anyone who posts on a thread, where someone is asking for help about traveling with a toddler, about how much they don't like kids on planes, well surely its no surprise when this is reacted to? In fact wasn't the whole point to raise some kind of reaction?!

Cheers

Tia

[nippa&pippa]

Regardless of how someone might feel about children, the truth is the majority of parents on long distance flights put a hell of a lot of energy into trying to keep everyone happy. Hence, numerous posts about what stuff to take, routes to use, sedatives to administer.....

Maybe those that get annoyed don't think this is the case? Or maybe you think children shouldn't be allowed to travel? Or maybe your expectations of what is achievable with a toddler is just not based on any kind of reality?


I took lots of planned to get my children happy during travelling, even now in the car, plan ahead what I need in easy reach as well as my children's reach.

For case of children shouldn't allowed to travel? As I mentioned in previous threads that it is all depend on parent(s) rather than children, very calm and relax parents make more better impact on children than highly strung and stress parents that will pass nervous in children.
Also some babies and young children travel well as I was lucky that my two children was very well behaved as I worked hard to keep them occupied especially last flight was bad with TV/computer crashed.
Have to say this, I was a 10 months baby fell asleep at vancover airport as my parents was boarding into plane and I finally woke up on M1 halfway from heathrow to Leicester....my mum said I was very easy baby to look after during that flight! by simple aslept whole time...missed all feeds!
so every baby and toddler are different....

[Moorf]

As to 'keeping schtum', I think anyone who posts on a thread, where someone is asking for help about traveling with a toddler, about how much they don't like kids on planes, well surely its no surprise when this is reacted to? In fact wasn't the whole point to raise some kind of reaction?!

The thread has several references such as "non-friendly toddler haters" and one that thought it was okay for toddlers to toddle up and down the aisles. I don't think my post was out of context at all, more of a different view point in that not everyone finds it acceptable for kids to be up and down the aisles of a plane! Even people I know WITH kids don't allow their kids to get up and wander around ("secure area" or not).



I've always been an advocate of letting kids roam about. after all, they can't go anywhere unsecure on a plane!


and apologies to all the non parent but my kids happiness comes way before other tetchy passengers'

Sure, walk them up and down the aisle but teach them it's not a playground and consideration for other people who may want to sleep/read or just not have a child wandering around. Is that so bad? :confused:

[nippa&pippa]

Also ensure airlines don't give kids sweets, cola etc (Moorf, you know what happening to my kids if they get hold of your squash :laugh;) that will be hard work to deal with in the plane.....so my kids is NOT allowed any colouring foods and drinks in the plane ;))

[janrzm]

But adults are allowed to wander around the plane! maybe that might annoy some parents! I actually thought it was encouraged especially on long haul flights - dvt and all that.
I have four children and have travelled quite frequently with them on planes.We are very aware of other passengers and try very hard not to let our children annoy them.
I'm not so sure those passengers are aware how stressful they can make a journey when they complain/moan etc about the smallest thing. At that point I'm probably less likely to try and keep the peace and think 'sod it'!
This has happened to us on a regular basis and to be honest I now expect it.
On the other hand it is very refreshing when the row behind get off a plane and comment on how well behaved our children have been.
I wouldn't want my children running around a plane anymore than the next person - but travelling, especially long haul with kids is a very fine balancing act. I find it hard to sit still for so long being incredibly bored.
On our recent flight to NZ we had a couple across from us having a domestic - drunk/shouting/slapping the lot - nobody complained to them!

[Tia Maria]

Moorf wrote:
I don't think my post was out of context at all, more of a different view point

I don't think it was out of context either, but if someone posted on a thread about 'Searching for vegetarian products' the fact that they love veal, I wouldn't expect them to be surprised when this causes a feisty response.

Toddlers aren't allowed to walk down the aisles on planes by themselves but that doesn't mean a few of them don't make a break for it :D. Also they will sometimes want to stand in the aisle next to the seat, or walk a couple down and the parent may make the deliberate decision not to follow them, as this will only encourage them to stray further.

Yes, they will wriggle and stand on their seats, but often the only alternative is to strap them down - which can lead to temper tantrums and crying. As I said before, as a parent you just can't win - wriggly toddler or crying toddler.

This is the reality of a toddler on a plane, sometimes all your tricks will work, sometimes, (especially by flight 2), they may not work past the first hour. The reality for many parents is a long, exhausting stressful flight, full of apologies.

Cheers

Tia

[CJ22]

Maybe those that get annoyed don't think this is the case? Or maybe you think children shouldn't be allowed to travel? Or maybe your expectations of what is achievable with a toddler is just not based on any kind of reality?

I think there's some truth to points one and three at least, but the case isn't helped by obvious examples of parents who gave up caring about keeping their kids under control years ago.

Moorf's right - there were several references at the start of this thread to people like me (cast in a negative light) who don't see why they need to share the burden of other people's children's behaviour (so, y'know :roll). You can't stop a baby crying, but toddlers and even older children are often left to act out while the parent watches the movie. It's not just on planes, it's in other places too. I don't imagine most parents are like that - by definition, you wouldn't notice the occasions where the kids behave, so it's self-selective process. If you're a good parent then fine, there's no need to be defensive about what is a real problem for other people.

For some of us, the prospect of being locked in an already noisy echoey metal tube for 24 hours with a bunch of increasingly out-of-control fart-machines, whilst simultaneously facing untold social opprobrium if I even look at said children with the merest hint of disapproval, is a little daunting.

But as I reckon this topic is a bit like smoking, in that it brings out the extremism on both sides in otherwise perfectly reasonable people, it's probably best to bow out of it! :laugh

[Dom]

Daniela - you missed a vital part of my post "running around". I have every sympathy for the mother with a crying baby (unlike OH who needs a sharp reminder that it's a baby).

It's the toddlers who are allowed to run around the cabin that annoy me, I personally don't find that acceptable.

Our boy was 2 when we emigrated here from the Uk..We did a 13 hour flight and an 11 hour flight.

Try keeping a 2 year old boy in a seat for that amount of time.

And YES we paid for his seat too.

Needless to say we had next-to-no sleep - not like you child-haters who can sit there getting drunk watching movie after movie whilst moaning about toddlers and their exhausted parents walking endlessly up and down the aisles.

I managed to win Who wants to be a millionaire though after 14 attempts.

[CJ22]

Needless to say we had next-to-no sleep - not like you child-haters who can sit there getting drunk watching movie after movie whilst moaning about toddlers and their exhausted parents walking endlessly up and down the aisles.

I don't hate children, I don't drink and I don't watch the movies. Nor do I complain...clearly there would be little point. Instead, I save it up for DISCUSSION forums such as this. Got any other straw men you want to build up and set fire to?

On the day they make it compulsory to have children, I guarantee you will have all my sympathy.

[Dom]

I don't hate children, I don't drink and I don't watch the movies. Nor do I complain...clearly there would be little point. Instead, I save it up for DISCUSSION forums such as this. Got any other straw men you want to build up and set fire to?

On the day they make it compulsory to have children, I guarantee you will have all my sympathy.

well if you get a bulk-head seat you will start drinking ... believe me....

:laugh

[CJ22]

That's quite possible :cheers

As a point of interest, Dusk and I managed to bag one of the few two-seat rows at the back of the plane. This means that we won't have a third passenger (of any age!) to contend with, and keeps us well away from the bulk-head seats. So we do try to keep our curmudgeonliness away from the dear little ones when possible :p

[Sam B]

Before I had kids, I definitely fell into the silent eye-rolling variety. I honestly believed that as a parent you should be able to control your children's behaviour. Ha! Toddlers are a law unto themselves, and the general rule of thumb is to ignore bad behaviour. So if parents appear to be watching a movie whilst their child appears to be running riot - do not believe for a minute that the parent is enjoying themselves. Inside, their stomach is churning, they are sweating, their head is buzzing with thoughts such as 'oh my God everyone hates me'.

It's HELL. But if they started giving their child attention for the behaviour, they will just do it more. It's so exhausting and stressful on things such as flights. it's like being as stressed as you are right before an interview but for 30 hours.

But I appreciate how those who do not have kids feel, I really do. I felt that way too. But it's a special kind of torture for the parents, and if kids don't get to let off some of the burning energy they have all the time on a very long flight (by moving around), there really is going to be an almighty tantrum at some point.

[SharpBlade]

consideration for other people who may want to sleep/read :
We flew with 4 young children and they all behave as well as they could. Never roaming up and down, I promise.
However, I can't say the same thing about some adults, just a few seats behind us, getting all very noisy and a bit drunk while our children had finally fallen asleep. Surely they should understand that this isn't on nor funny. I have all the sympathy for traveling families, but I get very very cross with adults misbehaving. So much so that I would even complain to the flight staff..
Laura

[Tanya]

OK

so I am gonna stick my neck out on this topic again even though I was shot down in flames last time!!

Why would anyone let a child wander on their own on a plane??? Do you have no consideration for anyone else apart from having a few minutes peace without them clambering all over you??
From a safety aspect - why not get up and walk with them?? Why let them go on their own - do you not care that heaven forbid the plane hits turbulance - that your child might whack their head on the hard chairs and actually cause themselves an injury??
Dont you care that that same turbulance may find a cup of coffee on your child? Get up and walk with them - that takes care of the DVT point someone mentioned!!

It was mentioned on another thread in the same vein as this a couple of weeks ago that the computer system crashed so their child had nothing to do :confused: our trip back to the UK last year was the first time we had the entertainment systems so we were never able to rely on such entertainment.

I flew to NZ every 2-3 years in the 16 years I lived in the UK - and before anyone tells me I am a child hater too I actually have 2 Children! and during 11 of those 16 years they were on the plane at various ages - so I dont need to be told that you cannot amuse a child/walk with them etc for that length of time. My children are now 11 and 9.

OK - now putting flak jacket on

[CJ22]

So if parents appear to be watching a movie whilst their child appears to be running riot - do not believe for a minute that the parent is enjoying themselves. Inside, their stomach is churning, they are sweating, their head is buzzing with thoughts such as 'oh my God everyone hates me'.

Interesting. I haven't heard anybody put it quite like that before. I'd like to say 'good', but that would sound all wrong. I mean, I'm glad they're not just sitting their thinking 'thank god he's bothering somebody else for a bit' :)


but I get very very cross with adults misbehaving.

So do I. It's not an either/or situation.

[Moorf]

whilst moaning about toddlers and their exhausted parents walking endlessly up and down the aisles.

Ahh, for a moment I thought you meant me, but you can't be as I was referring to toddlers running around... but then you'd know that because I already posted...
Sure, walk them up and down the aisle



but I get very very cross with adults misbehaving. Don't we all?


From a safety aspect - why not get up and walk with them?? Why let them go on their own - do you not care that heaven forbid the plane hits turbulance - that your child might whack their head on the hard chairs and actually cause themselves an injury??
Dont you care that that same turbulance may find a cup of coffee on your child? Get up and walk with them - that takes care of the DVT point someone mentioned!!

The safety aspect, no-one's mentioned that! Perhaps their child's happiness is more important than that, too? Can you tell me which flights you book :D so I can book them too?



Toddlers aren't allowed to walk down the aisles on planes by themselves but that doesn't mean a few of them don't make a break for it

With respect Tia, I am able to tell the difference between whether a child has just broken free (hey, it happens) and the one that's charged past several times with no sign of the parent.

Contrary to the child hater images being portrayed I don't begin to get annoyed at the mere sight of a child onboard :( just as I don't think you have to be child-free (childess, whichever is the latest term) to be annoyed by another person's child on a plane.

[Familyofmonkeys]

IMO, for what it's worth, is that most people are more sympathetic towards parents who attempt to control their kids behavour than the few parents who really don't bother. Yes, there are always going to be some people who think the rest of the plane is a safe playground for their kids and others who think kids should be gagged for the entire flight, but i'm pretty sure the vast majority of people are more tolerant than that!

The only other thing to add it that i'm not sure some people on long haul flights realise how utterly exhausting it can be flying with young children. Being childrens main focus of entertainment for 24 hours is hard enough (harder if you have several children), but add into that the fact that parents can't even go to sleep properly....in case child sneaks out of seat/needs toilet etc, you can't go to the toilet without someone watching your kids or taking them with you etc..........and you can see why this conversation has touched a nerve with a lot of people.

Maybe it would be better if peoples comments were directed back to helping people who are soon making the trip with toddlers rather than turning into a parents vs non-parent debate :)

[CJ22]

Hey we had a lively debate for once instead of tippey-toeing around, and we all learnt something! I call that a win. :clap

Back to the OP, then.

[DizzyF]

I started this post because I was concerned about the welfare of my toddler and those around me. Was hoping to get some helpful/friendly advice and I have now realised that sedation is not a good route to go.

Will do the following: Pack little backpack with new toys(sound free), books, colouring books, sticker books, healthy snacks, etc. All wrapped up so he thinks it is fun like a birthday. Already trying to get him to watch a bit of kids tv so that he will do so on flight too. Have booked with Virgin and Air NZ so that he gets a tv, and hopefully helpful staff. Pre-booked kids meal and 3 seats so we can try to sit him between me and OH. Stopover booked in San Francisco so he can ride on big fire engine over Golden Gate Bridge.

Interesting to read comments of those without kids but had hoped you would realise that my initial concern was to try to make journey as pleasant as possible for everyone.

Can this end now as more worried about the journey than I was before........

[jubjub]

Dizzy, looks like you have done the best you can with that lot, the only other thing we did apart from all that was get a DVD player for our fella, worked like a charm until the batteries ran out, then he cried... oops... (we did have spares, but they were duds!). the child meals on our flight were lovely, but double check at check in, as we only got the meals on one leg of the journey, so he had to scavenge bits and peices from adult meals.

What Sam said is true though, you spend the whole flight worrying that your little darling is going to do something to pee off a fellow passenger. Although on our flight they had all the kids on one section, I did wonder if they did that on purpose!

Good Luck!

The most chlidish behaviour on the entire flight was from a fellow adult passenger! but thats another thread in itself!

[thewoodies]

I started this post because I was concerned about the welfare of my toddler and those around me. Was hoping to get some helpful/friendly advice and I have now realised that sedation is not a good route to go.

Interesting to read comments of those without kids but had hoped you would realise that my initial concern was to try to make journey as pleasant as possible for everyone.

Can this end now as more worried about the journey than I was before........
Hi it will be fine dont worry - you sound like a responsible parent. Some people just let their kids run wild - it annoys me too!! and i have 3 !!! You just get yours off to sleep and someone elses kid wakes them up - i also feel that kids shouldnt be allowed to run up and down the isles for safety reasons - I find if you get the four seats together the small children have enough room to move about without annoying anyone eg. mum,kid,kid,Dad in a line. I havnt had a problem YET!!! fingers crossed - good luck:cheers

[janrzm]

On a more positive note I was dreading the flight to NZ on our recent trip, expecting the kids to be a complete nightmare.
They all proved me wrong and were fantastic!
Try not to worry too much.

[NZ Hopeful]

Before I had kids, I definitely fell into the silent eye-rolling variety. I honestly believed that as a parent you should be able to control your children's behaviour. Ha! Toddlers are a law unto themselves, and the general rule of thumb is to ignore bad behaviour. So if parents appear to be watching a movie whilst their child appears to be running riot - do not believe for a minute that the parent is enjoying themselves. Inside, their stomach is churning, they are sweating, their head is buzzing with thoughts such as 'oh my God everyone hates me'.



My OH likens it to negotiating with terrorists :eek:

I get concerned with kids wandering about on their own that they might try and open the door or something, but I am quite a nervous flyer so always imagine worst case scenario! :wah

[JandL]

On the way back from Spain earlier this year, I had a near 2 year old on my lap for just 2 hours. The person sitting next to me was brilliant and helped entertain her the whole way, holding things (trying to find a nappy when it was packed on top of everything else arghhh!) singing etc etc. Made a top class flight compared to the 14 hour trauma we had on the way there (cockpit set on fire, slight detour to France). I'm sure people around you would rather help you than hinder you, just ask.

[Pip]

I started this post because I was concerned about the welfare of my toddler and those around me. Was hoping to get some helpful/friendly advice and I have now realised that sedation is not a good route to go.


Can this end now as more worried about the journey than I was before........

Dizzy don't worry! - sometimes threads turn into something else - its all good. (I started one on what medicines I should purchase to prepare for a new born baby, which turned into a debate on traditional versus homeopathic medicine - some quite interesting info came out of it!)

on a personal level, I've just flown to the Uk and back with my new born baby. I flew on my own when Theo was six weeks and flew back when he was 12 weeks. It wasn't easy (I was awake for 40 hours straight each way), but I found each flight contained a mixture of those who offered to help, those who gave you sympathetic looks and those who gave you 'daggers' looks!

I will fully put my hands up that in pre child days, I was probably in the 'daggers looks' camp just because I had no knowledge of how difficult it can be to settle a child. now I am full of sympathy and would probably offer to help if I was in a position to.

I think as long as you do what you can to calm your child (if he needs it), people are understanding. Each time Theo started to cry, I got straight up and walked over to the toilet area and walked him up and down until he calmed down - sometimes for up to 45 mins a time - as a silver lining, no worries about dvt!.

obviously I couldn't stop the noise altogether, but I could minimise it for other passengers and I think people really appreciated it. (as opposed to the four yr old who cried for ages and the parents just ignored him and pretended to be asleep, although they were definitely awake)

Also, although its a long flight, for the first three hours of each leg most people are awake watching TV and eating, and usually for the last three, when they wake people up and serve the pre-landing meal and I don't think people mind being disturbed so much at those times, so maybe try and keep your son active during those times and try and get him to sleep when they dim the lights in the middle (normally a six hour block). I was very proud that Theo never cried during that time, just at the beginning of the flight and the end when people were up and about anyway.

Don't worry too much - at the end of the day, its a few hours out of your life, and my rationale was even if he screams the whole time (which he didn't), at least it will be over in x hours....

Good luck and it sounds like you'll be just fine :-)

[peebles16]

Oh this has turned into a bit of a stramash hasn't it :o I think there's lots of good advice on here for you DizzyF and try not to stress out too much :) I actually don't think people are disagreeing much on here at all about how to manage kids on a flight it's just an emotive subject.... My kids are boisterous especially the wee man and we choose carefully where we take them and what situations they/we can cope with - they have their limitations.

Let's face it 24+ hours on a flight is not a pleasant experience kids or no kids/drunk adults or not :D

Karenx

[nippa&pippa]

Tanya, you will be shot down again :D

As I have said to Moorf privately that most of people have misinterpret my previous thread what I have said about my son allow to walk JUST few (3 or 4) row from his daddy and to me and his sister. Just slow and kindly walk in most poilte way (my son have very good respect of other people's feeling, people including Moorf and Pip know what my son is like) "running around & screaming" eh? which so unlike my son.

He just spent an hour or so playing with us on the floor of bulk head, playing with toys, books, etc. Then go back to daddy for another read of books and sleep then eating (well he didn't have much chance of foods because lack of egg-free foods, naughty airline)
then after few hours, he came back to us again for another play with toys on the floor, or read same books for thirty times (boring to read books again, argh) if sister is asleep in skycot... for few hours before back to daddy for chat etc.

Do this sound like my son is running up and down the plane?

For Dizzy, sorry.
I suggest to you to prevent same thing that happened to us. Ensure whole family is sitting together in same row, not father few rows away from mother and toddler. Because it is harder for child who want to be with mummy AND daddy during flight, knowing there is other parent somewhere in the plane opposed to solo parent flight with baby/toddler.

[Tanya]

Tanya, you will be shot down again :D

As I have said to Moorf privately that most of people have misinterpret my previous thread what I have said about my son allow to walk JUST few (3 or 4) row from his daddy and to me and his sister. Just slow and kindly walk in most poilte way (my son have very good respect of other people's feeling, people including Moorf and Pip know what my son is like) "running around & screaming" eh? which so unlike my son.

He just spent an hour or so playing with us on the floor of bulk head, playing with toys, books, etc. Then go back to daddy for another read of books and sleep then eating (well he didn't have much chance of foods because lack of egg-free foods, naughty airline)
then after few hours, he came back to us again for another play with toys on the floor, or read same books for thirty times (boring to read books again, argh) if sister is asleep in skycot... for few hours before back to daddy for chat etc.

Do this sound like my son is running up and down the plane?

For Dizzy, sorry.
I suggest to you to prevent same thing that happened to us. Ensure whole family is sitting together in same row, not father few rows away from mother and toddler. Because it is harder for child who want to be with mummy AND daddy during flight, knowing there is other parent somewhere in the plane opposed to solo parent flight with baby/toddler.


SORRY - where did I mention your name in all of this Sophia - Please show me where this was directed at you!

[nippa&pippa]

SORRY - where did I mention your name in all of this Sophia - Please show me where this was directed at you!

Tanya, I chose to mention my post to highlight that not all children are same in the case of "running around" the plane where my son didn't at all. Just want to make it clear. ok? now can we shake the hands? :D

[Tanya]

Tanya, I chose to mention my post to highlight that not all children are same in the case of "running around" the plane where my son didn't at all. Just want to make it clear. ok? now can we shake the hands? :D

You were attacking me as if I had personally had a go at your son - otherwise why would you have said!:

Do this sound like my son is running up and down the plane?

which you did in a previous post as well - do you have a problem with me as you dont appear to be attacking others who have agreed that kids should not be running around on their own!? I have never referred specifically to your child/children in any thread. SO no - its not clear!

[nippa&pippa]

Ok sorry Tanya. Point taken.

[Familyofmonkeys]

Can this end now as more worried about the journey than I was before........

You really don't need to worry....it sounds like you have already taken steps to make the journey easier for everyone and no-one can reasonably expect you to do anymore than that. As has been said before.....by far the most important thing is not to stress :)

[Tia Maria]

I must admit I've never been on a long haul flight which has been populated by these naughty kids and lazy parents which others have. So either I'm very lucky or we both look at the same family and see things differently.

In a similar way, certain behaviour which is acceptable in public by children in NZ, would be considered unacceptable in the UK. People draw the line as to what is 'naughty' and what is 'being a child' in different places. Some societies are just more inclusive of children.

A few people mentioned that they use to be 'eye rollers' and now, normally due to having children, they no longer are. Once again the behaviour hasn't changed just empathy levels.

I had an awful flight once with my son, who was very distressed, we did everything possible and in the end had to just strap him in his chair hoping he would cry himself to sleep. Those around us would have seen all the hours of walking, snacks, toys and effort we'd put in and so understood. However, someone just popping to the toilet might have thought 'why has that woman just strapped a screaming child in?'.

Ultimately all a parent can do is their best, and TBH all the parents I know do. Sometimes this will work, sometimes it won't. My experience on long haul flights is there have been many more offers of help and sympathy (is he teething? being the most common), than 'bad looks'.

CJ22 - hope those two seats aren't at the back - thats where all the parents take their crying babies when they need walking. :p

Cheers

Tia

[CJ22]

CJ22 - hope those two seats aren't at the back - thats where all the parents take their crying babies when they need walking.

Meh! *shakes his copy of the Daily Mail...

Not sure I follow the logic of 'walking' a baby. What does that achieve that you can't achieve sitting down?

[Jo Jo]

Meh! *shakes his copy of the Daily Mail...

Not sure I follow the logic of 'walking' a baby. What does that achieve that you can't achieve sitting down?

It quietens them down much more quickly. You don't know many babies, do you CJ22? :D

[NZ Hopeful]

Meh! *shakes his copy of the Daily Mail...

Not sure I follow the logic of 'walking' a baby. What does that achieve that you can't achieve sitting down?

It's a distraction, gives them something else to focus on!

Have you considered hiring a private jet for your trip?! :D

[JandL]

You can't actually swing a baby sitting down, whereas when you are standing you can let your arms drop. Swinging them into the person next to you while they are eating isn't a favourite either :).

[CJ22]

It's a distraction, gives them something else to focus on!

Have you considered hiring a private jet for your trip?! :D

What?? I'm only asking!
:laugh

[dusk]

It's a distraction, gives them something else to focus on!

Have you considered hiring a private jet for your trip?! :D
only if we can find someone else to pay for it :P

[NZ Hopeful]

only if we can find someone else to pay for it :P



:laugh

Some of the parents on here might have a whip round for you guys :p:D

[CJ22]

All I said was I don't like noisey children. I didn't say I wanted to murder them or anything. In the same way you can't help it if your children make a noise, I can't help it if it irritates me.

[Mrs Pony]

All I said was I don't like noisey children. I didn't say I wanted to murder them or anything. In the same way you can't help it if your children make a noise, I can't help it if it irritates me.

Amen! :clap

:exit

[Tia Maria]

All I said was I don't like noisey children. I didn't say I wanted to murder them or anything. In the same way you can't help it if your children make a noise, I can't help it if it irritates me.

Saying you don't like children who make a noise is like saying you don't like dogs that bark, or cats that ..... well .... do whatever cats do. Besides the plane is pretty noisy anyway.

However, as there may be some Galaxy coming my way, I will have to recant all my previous statements about children and say, 'I agree they should be put in the hold for the duration of the flight, in fact till they are 18 years old and can act civilised like the rest of us!' :D

Cheers

Tia

[Derv]

Amen! :clap

:exit

And from me as well!:exit

[Moorf]

An article I read today reminded me of this thread.

http://www.hotelmarketing.com/index.php/article/tripadvisor_travelers_offer_glimpse_into_2009_tren ds/

[snip]

No Babies on Board
Seventy-one percent of travelers surveyed think families with young children should sit in their own section of a plane. Thirteen percent think airlines should prohibit parents from flying with infants, except in the event of an emergency. Thirty-seven percent would pay extra to sit in a quiet section of an airplane, and of that group, 38 percent would pay as much as a 6-10 percent premium.