[Moorf]

My sis-in-law is coming over in Dec with her partner and 2 kids :eek

They haven't flown long haul before - indeed the kids have never flown before... they're aged 7 (boy) and 11 (girl).

I'd like to give them some tips on what to take for kids / sedation :laugh :laugh etc.

[Loulou]

Hi Moorf

We are flying out on 5th Dec for our holiday and it is the first time our son has flown he is 7 also.

We are just taking loads of stuff for him to do, gameboy, books, felt tips and the like.

My friend who came the other way said her kids were soooo excited that they didnt sleep much on the first flight because of excitement and slept all the way on the 2nd flight!

Failing that I shall see if I can find some sought of blunt instrument to aid sleep :laugh

Loulou

PS I am more worried on how I will cope with the boredom and the jet leg, I become very fierce when tired ... ROAR

[lindajax]

Hi Moorf,
Speaking of sedation for the kids and I am not joking here. :no

A useful back up if the kids have not and don't look likely to sleep could be to puchase either Piriton syrup or Phenergan syrup - you can get them over the counter ( definately piriton - not 100% sure about phenergan) and they are antihistamine type drugs for itching/ hayfever etc that produce the side effect of sleepiness.

I use these drugs very very often in my job ( burns nurse) and can vouch for thier effectiveness - but would advise anyone to obviously see thier phamacist about thier use if they decide to purchase them.

Hope this may be of some help.
I will be taking some with me - my Lucy is 4 but only intend to use it if she becomes very sleep deprived.

Love Linda xx

[Michelle and Richard]

I used to see a lot of parents using Calpol but it has paracetamol in it so it has to be used sparingly.

Failing that put brandy in milk ................ only joking !

Seriously take plenty of things to entertain them, dont give them it all at once just a little something every few hours. That said with all the inflight entertainment they should be quite happy.

Who are they flying with ? I noticed Singapore airlines were very good with fun packs etc.

Michelle

[Babette & Andy]

Hi Helen,

Like Linda I was going to suggest Piriton. They could also check out some homeopathic remedies at say Holland & Barret. When we flew to NZ in April Amy was only 17mths (and a real handful sitting on my lap the WHOLE way :? ) I used some calming tablets from a homeopathic shop in Holland. They were/are specially for kids to help them to calm down, not get stressed by the unknown and aid sleep. They did work some on her.

However, with 'your' kids in question being a bit older I think the excitement of the whole experience once they get on the plane etc will probably sort them out without any assistance needed! Singapore Airlines are EXCELLENT for kids, many kids channels (incl games) to choose from.

What a nice thing for you to look forward to.
:P
Babette :cheers

[A & M]

Hi Moorf

Our children are much the same ages - we are doing the journey in 3 hops, Vancouver, Fiji, Auckland. We'll be taking story tapes, cds, game boys, books .... no room left for any of our stuff!

Ours haven't done long haul flights before - guess you need to make sure that they are wearing comfy clothes so they can curl up on the seats.

I was looking on the BA site the other day and they tell you which films, music will be available. I expect other airlines will do the same.

Hope they enjoy their trip. Mandy.

[Diny]

Our kids are 7 and 8 and have been doing this journey since they were 3 months and 20 months old.

Apart from the first time we did it ........... dreadful nightmare experience .......... they have been really good. They now class the flight as one of the best bits of the holiday. We usually fly Singapore Air which is brilliant for kids, lots of fun packs, good food and drink, kids films, console games etc.

Packing paper and felt tips etc is a good idea. Also ...... best to avoid putting them in shorts or anything which means they have bare legs. After a while the fabric covering on the seats can start to chaffe pretty badly.

Diny

[lindajax]

Diny/Babette,

Knowing you've both taken little ones across to Nz. :angel

We are going with Singapore - any tips for Lucy - we are flying 1010 so it'll not be reasonable to expect her to sleep on the first leg of the journey except maybe a brief hour or so.

Booking into Changi to get some ?kip for a few hours ( ?? how long is it worth staying for) then gonna hopefully explore then shop like a wild woman at the airport.
Second flight not so sure if that'll be the harder to occupy of get her to kip etc - any tips.

We will eventually land 0855 in Auck so I am not expecting her to sleep when we land - too much to be doing then I suppose and we may not get a chance for a number of hours.
Don't want to give her the piriton unless I really really have to so any tips are well recieved!!!

Love Linda xxx

[Timbo]

It may be worth checking out some of the cheaper portable DVD players, just in case the limited films on board are not to the kid`s taste.
You can pick one up for around the £70 if you shop around
One thing I discovered before flying to Aus. was earplugs marketed as "Earplanes" They are brilliant for anyone who suffers with the old earpopping and jaw ache. I have since recomended them to friends who have flown with young children, and they have proved 100% success. There is nothing worse than being on a flight with a young baby who for no fault of their own screams it`s poor little head of on take-offs/landings.
From memory, they cost about £4, money very well spent.

[Diny]

Oooh Linda

You've got yourself some really anti-social flying times there for a wee tot.

I think the main thing I can suggest is ........ don't stress yourself out. If Lucy wants to sleep then let her, if she doesn't want to, the worst thing would be to get all worked up .... the more you tell them to sleep, the more determined to stay awake they will be.

It's abit tricky travelling with youngsters, you may have to resort to taking it in turns with Ali ..... one tries to grab a few Z's while the other child minds.

You can guarantee, due to excitement, disorientation and sheer 3 year old determination, Lucy won't fall into any kind of sociable pattern for you.

Also be prepared for some pretty cocked up sleep patterns for a day or so, which is only to be expected. However, I have found that the kids get over jet lag alot easier than us big kids do. If you were there for a limited time on holiday you'd be wanting Lucy to 'get back in routine' asap so as not to lose too much holiday time, however, you're there for good so a couple of lost days at the start won't matter at all.

I have always found that there's a really good selection of kids movies and cartoons but take some of her small toys and pens and paper to keep her occupied.

At the end of the day ........ the flight won't take forever. You'll be fine I'm sure.

Diny

[lindajax]

Tahnks all for your advice and comments- I'm sure we'll be fine and as you say its just the once and we can live with the damien child for a couple of days!!!!!
love
Linda xx

[AliJax]

....It'l be New Years Eve when we fly - won't we be doing th conga ? :laugh

i'm sure to bring my party CD and streamers, silly string, face painting kit and alike(some one else can bring the brew - i'm in for the entertainment).

My Lovely assistant Lucy can be cut in half in the Magic show :eek and Linda can wear a sequine leotard :eek

Only joking I'm looking forward to the Games on the plane.

[Babette & Andy]

Linda/Ali - can't believe your Lucy turns into a damien child (though only mine did that) :uhoh

I'm with Diny, not much to add. Lianne has always travelled well, was 2 when we took her on her first Oz trip. Would suggest bringing her own child size headphones, the airlines ones tend to be too big and slip. With Singapore Air Lianne really enjoyed the story channels (fairytales), and coloured away whilst listening to them again and again and again. Some good cartoons and films (in April they showed Brother Bear). Maybe easier with young girls than boys? But then again, Amy was by no means easy in April :wah

Rather than repeating lots, have a quick look at a previous thread, think it was called Changi Airport or something like that. If you want to know more, we'll chat on the 27th or call/PM me. Don't worry about the journey. You'll just put yourself on autopilot, and go with Lucy's flow for the duration - you may be pleasantly surprised! :nice1

Luv
Babette :cheers

[jo b]

Oh Chloroform on a hanky always works well for my 2 :mrgreen:

Seriously though I flew BA and Qantas (boo hiss at the 2 of them) last time we went to NZ, but the best leg of the journey has to have been the BA one where they have tv's in the backs of the seats.

Singapore apparantly has these so they should be hyptonised quite nicely :laugh

My 2 hardly budged on the BA leg but were bored stiff on the Qantas one.

The tip of taking in turns to sleep is a good one except............... When your husband takes an ice lolly off the stewardess and it sticks to his lips, only he was slouched down and couldn't reach the steward light as he would have woken Kurt who was 3 at the time. He tried spitting on his lolly whilst it was still stuck frozen to his lip (IAn's demonstration of this has me rolling around) but to not avail could remove it it was stuck fast in the end he had to resort to ripping it off his lip only to find blood dripping down his chin and a rather large piece of skin stuck to his lolly.

His darling wife :angel slept throught the whole incident :oops:

For those of you meeting on the 27th ask him to tell you this story his re-enactment is entertainment not to be missed.

In March we go Singapore same as Linda's times too. Ian won't be having an Ice Lolly this time though.

Jo

[Diny]

Reminds me of the time PB and I were on a flight from Auckland to Hawaii. We had a really fuddy duddy Miss Prim sitting next to us .... 54 and never been kissed (know what I mean :? ).

As we took off she told us that she had just taken a sleeping pill so she wouldn 't be chatting to us (thankfully).

She was soon in a deep sleep.

A few hours later PB was in dire need of a wee but he was hemmed in by Miss Prim. Not wanting to wake her he decided to climb over her.

He swung his one leg over her while holding on to her headrest (his hands either side of her head). Just as he goes to swing the other leg over, we hit turbulance, he loses his balance, falls onto her - standing totally astride of her with his face about 2" from hers.

The hysterical screaming and kicking woke everybody in economy and got cabin crew running from all directions.

Bl**dy funny.

Miss Prim was not amused by her (almost) introduction to the mile high club. :eek

Ice lollies stuck to lips, mollestic spinsters ....... it's always the men isn't it?

Diny

[jo b]

A few hours later PB was in dire need of a wee but he was hemmed in by Miss Prim. Not wanting to wake her he decided to climb over her.

He swung his one leg over her while holding on to her headrest (his hands either side of her head). Just as he goes to swing the other leg over, we hit turbulance, he loses his balance, falls onto her - standing totally astride of her with his face about 2" from hers.

The hysterical screaming and kicking woke everybody in economy and got cabin crew running from all directions.


Ice lollies stuck to lips, mollestic spinsters ....... it's always the men isn't it?

Diny

Diny,

this had me howling laughing. I bet really she thought her luck was in.

Jo

[veronica]

On any long journey either by car or plane we've always taken the good old basic tape walkman, taped the kids favourite music, and bought story tapes of their own choosing (older kids aren't too hot on fairy stories) a couple of good books, and some of the junky magic painting., puzzle, colour and sticker books from the market. Having travelled the journey several times with an extremely active child who would be made more active by certain foods I would advise on not taking lots of sweets and keep the food as normal as possible for the couple of days before the journey. Foodstuffs, sugar and colourings can have a big effect on how children behave.
From the other side of the coin I have also travelled in the seat in front of a child who spent the entire journey bouncing on the pull down tray, luckily that was on a short haul flight, but it was a very uncomfortable jouney. And another child that screamed for about 1/2 hour because she didn't want to wear her seatbelt and her parents just said that why should she if she didn't want too. this delayed the plane taking off and it missed its slot. I have every sympathy with parents whose children cry because of tiredness or discomfort, I have none for parents whose children are spoilt and just don't know how to behave.
Its a hell of a long trip for them, let them get up and walk about the plane if they want too, look out of the window, there's usually comeone like me whos a sucker for kids that will talk to them and occupy them for the odd half hour. Just accept that its an unusual situation and requires different things to cope with it.

[Diny]

Spot on Veronica.

I agree about the parents who allow their kids to get away with such antics as the seatbelt saga.

Don't know who I'd want to smother first, the parent or the child??

I'll tell you what I've had before now too ...... the horrible child in the row in front who thinks it's ok to kneel up on his seat and peer over the back and look at you ..... for hours on end. And why do they always have wet mouths?

And ... to end the gripe ...... I'd like to raise a glass to the self absorbed battle axe who sat behing me when we flew home in April. She TOLD me that I was not allowed to recline my seat as it meant that her drinks tray was put at an awkward angle.

After I politely suggested that she was taking the p**s and reclined my seat anyway, the entire remainder of the flight was spent with her thumping, kicking and generaly bashing the back of my seat the best she could. At one stage her travelling companion told her to stop showing herself up. However, most of us ended up laughing when my (then 6 year old) son suggested that if she didn't eat so much she wouldn't be so large - hence the tray would lie flat. OK - in normal circumstances I would have lectured him on the sins of fatism ..... but not on this occasion.

All of the above should prove one thing ........ Have a stop over if you can, if only to regain a touch of sanity.

Diny

[Diny]

Jo

Next time you see PB ask him to show you the position he was in !!!

Diny

[Moorf]

And ... to end the gripe ...... I'd like to raise a glass to the self absorbed battle axe who sat behing me when we flew home in April. She TOLD me that I was not allowed to recline my seat as it meant that her drinks tray was put at an awkward angle.

Jeez, I think I flew with her too not long ago - lady behind me complained to air hostess that I was making it uncomfortable for her having my seat reclined so said air hostess asked me to put my seat up ... after a debate on the mechanics of how the table moves independently of the chair etc etc :roll: I simply said I had severe back pain and that they could upgrade me to first class for my comfort or leave me be.. reclined... unfortunately they let me be... reclined .. damn :roll:

Have to admit losing my rag on final leg of trip here from Singapore to Auckland - kid a few rows forward was "whining" - not a "proper" whine but parents didn't seem to care and everyone else was trying to sleep and you could hear tutting from all angles .... so I yelled "for bleeps sake SHUT UP" :oops: and, you know, it worked - not a peep for the rest of the trip :P

Now I'll wait for all the parents on the forum to waggle their fingers at me :laugh

[Diny]

Moorf

As you know I'm a parent.

NO WAY am I gonna wag my finger at you, rather I'd slap you on the back and buy you a drink.

I'd NEVER allow my kids to disturb everybody like that. It's a popular misconception that just because I am the mother of 2 young boys that I'm an overall lover of all children.

Nothing could be further from the truth !!!!!!!!!!!

We always tell our boys that (although not by choice) they came to live with us, therefore they play by our rules. It works, they're good kids and we can take them anywhere. I can't abide this attitude that they are 'young adults' and should be permitted to express themselves in any way they deem fit.

Yeah right.

Diny

[bbq]

Diny said: I'll tell you what I've had before now too ...... the horrible child in the row in front who thinks it's ok to kneel up on his seat and peer over the back and look at you ..... for hours on end. And why do they always have wet mouths?


and dribbling noses!! :P

[Diny]

With bits of biscuit stuck to the goo.

[bbq]

:laugh :laugh :laugh

[Babette & Andy]

Jo / Diny / Helen - nothing like starting the week with a good laugh. :laugh :laugh You guys sure have all the fun (??) wish we could time it perfectly with NZIS (as if) and all fly together boy that would be a jolly plane wouldn't it!

Look forward to the guys re-enacting their Mile High and Ice Lolly stories on the 27th :nice1

Babette :P

[Diny]

Babette

Sadly PB won't be at the next 'do' - he'll be in Egypt earning my living.

Boys and I will be there though.

Diny

[Babette & Andy]

Sorry Diny, ofcourse, I forgot. He'll have to owe us that story for another time :nice1

[lindajax]

Blinkin eck what a thread eh.

I thought it was only me that didn't let my angel sully her halo with bad manners and dribbling at rear passengers!!

I know you all know my views on badly behaved kids - they go into room 101 with a spanking and no tea!!! :laugh

I suppose I'm lucky because although Lucy can be whiny when she's tired she actually does shut up when asked to and is great at whispering - was tought that early on ( its not joke at 6 am a small child yelling its time to get up) so I think on the whole we'll be fine especially if singapore airlines is as good as you all say.

Diny, Would just love to see PB in that most flattering position you mentioned - why was that ungreatful cow screaming!!! shouldv'e been excited if you ask me :eek

Moorf, your yelling quite frankly disturbs me - only jokin! I would have done the same to someone elses or my own and would not allow mine to be so annoying ( of course she never is the little treasure :angel - only jokin again!!!!!)
And the cheeky mare about your seat - glad to see you didn't budge - they have a recline feature for a reason - to recline.


OOH listen to me - I'm well on one today - car clutch cable went last night and was stranded by my work in Liverpool. Alis car was already in the garage for MOT and therfore had to get father-in-law out with uncle ron - was a joy I can tell you. Finally got car towed to safe place and came home ( hours later).
Finding that today the in-laws have all but sorted the problem of towing it to a garage for repairs - they just need the keys - Was I consulted - NOT A CHANCE :roll: . :no
Well I'll just sit back and relax while everyone else fafs about sorting my car!!!
My Mum called and seeing my mood promptly exited with Lucy in tow ( she NEVER has her at all normally) must've been bad!!!

Oh and the best of it is I'd just sold the darn thing!!!!!!!! :wah

SO please excuse my ranting - not one of my better days :oops:

Linda xx

[Diny]

Linda

Are your shoes pinching you :P

No worries petal .... rant away. I have days like you've mentioned on a regular basis. The close the move gets, the more frequent the off days.

What the heck .... just imagine how peaceful it'll be for everybody when you leave. :eek

Good to know you're another parent who can't stand brattish kids. In my opinion they give all the good kids a bad name.

You'll be fine on Singapore Air ...... they really are very good.

Diny

[jo b]

Girls, Girls,

I can honestly say I would have done exactly what Moorf done, Probably much to my husbands embarrassment. But more along that tactful lines of 'Shut that bloody whining brat up'.

If my kids step out of line that's it. I don't smack them (well I try not too) but they scarper when they've done wrong.

Goodness Diny I am seething here thinking that woman would gladly make everyone else uncomfortable because of her size. If she wanted more room she should have gone business class. If fact I think I would have instructed my kids to lean over the top of the chairs and dribble, slobber and have snotty noses all with biscuit crumbs too boot just too p her off. :laugh

Anyway I've told you all Chloroform works best :nice1

Jo

[Danpoll]

Tell me this then, who has nearly been close to the situation where Orlando police dept are going to be personally escorting you through the airport on arrival?

and it wasn't my fault!

The situation in brief got on flight to Orlando and the baby bed rack was broken. So we fairly said get us one thats fixed or pull us off the flight. So some people gave up their seats and then an issue of reclining chairs arised. Frustrations flared and they then used a babies feet to accidently keep hitting my wife in the head. After complaining to the stewardess they gave them a free drink. justice hey. I backed down knowing that it would escalate and I would of spent two weeks in a Florida prison. Then again orlando or prison? there aint much in it.

So hopefully the flight to NZ wont be full of poor british morans who want to see mickey.

this thread has brought all that anger back, damn richard branson

[Timbo]

Calm down Dan, it`s only a chat forum.

[Diny]

Damn Richard Branson??? The Virgin One account is the best thing to have happened to us !!

:nice1 :nice1 :nice1 :nice1 :nice1 :nice1

Diny