I’m going on a vacation this month…alone, well, not alone, but without my spouse or kids. It’s a week in an all-inclusive resort in Mexico. The type of vacation that you dream of. No cooking, no yelling at (your own) children, margaritas by the pool, real heat and no snow and did I mention, margaritas by the pool.
Summertime and travel go together like peanut butter and jam. It’s just what we do: the kids are out of school, the roads are safe for travel and it’s too hot to work anyways, right? In our group of Alberta Mama founders we are planning on spanning most of the country and even the states with trips to BC, Ontario, Newfoundland, Montana and California this summer (of course lots of in Alberta explorations as well!). Yet, as most of us dreamily plan our summer travels we focus on the where to go and what to do, but we often forget about the what ifs….
By Christina Pilarski
I still remember my first plane ride – I was 21.
My parents did not prioritize travel when I was a kid, so when I had kids I knew that I wanted to make it happen.
My boys first plane ride was at 11-months. An almost five-hour trip to Mexico. Plane rides are interesting – I’m one of those people that could be asleep on a plane instantly if I could be so now adding a restless little one to my lap is a challenge.
In my experience the plane ride is about two things – keep the kid 1) happy and 2) busy. And, hope to God that at some point they fall asleep.
At the beginning of my travel experience I used to try to book planes to coordinate around naptime thinking I had beat the system – wrong. My kids are not plane nappers … so this strategy was not a winning one for us. My advice would be to just make whatever time work. Travel means you are going to be making some adjustments anyways so you might as well start on the plane.
So how have I kept my toddlers happy and busy on plane rides? Here are my must haves:
- 2 Carry-Ons – one for you and one for your partner – pack one with the adult stuff (lap tops, your wallet, travel docs, etc.) and one with the kid stuff. I made the mistake a few times of having some baby stuff in one and some in the other. When you child is screaming at 35,000 feet you won’t remember which bag the diapers are in so having everything related to baby in one makes your life easier.
- Stickers!!! Especially it they are 1+. Stickers are fun and challenging. You can tell a story about each, have them take time to pick favorites, have them stick them on paper, your face, their face, the flight attendant’s hand ….
- On our hour plane ride to Abbotsford our boys ate the entire time. It was awesome. They are in a ‘I love yogurt’ stage and only want to eat it with their own spoon. Yes – a bit messy and yes – very time consuming. This makes it an airplane win! Bring food that is easy to clean up and you know they will eat; for us that’s berries, grapes (pre-cut), yogurt, milk, water, baby cookies, cheese, and crackers. Pack this in a grocery bag so all the food is easy to pull in and out of your carry on – they will want to look at it going through security. Ask for like 20 napkins from the flight attendant on the way by. This also leads me to the importance of having a garbage strategy – I use the barf bag in the seat pocket. Open it shove all garbage in their as you get it and keep it under your seat. Garbage can get out of control with a toddler and you have nowhere to keep it.
- Naptime comforts. Bring everything you need to ensure naptime can be as comfortable as possible. Maybe even a favorite story.
- A new toy on the plane is like finding buried treasure. A new toy is going to keep their attention for the maximum amount of time.
And my final bit of advice – the amount of people who are understanding out weigh those that aren’t. And, in my experience, lots of people want to help. Don’t be afraid to ask people on the plane for help, stop and chat with those people who make faces at your baby (every way to help time go by helps), and remember that even if your kid is going 100 miles a minute if you are keeping them happy and busy you’re winning.
Happy flying!
Christina Pilarski is a mom of twins. Her boys were born in September 2016 and she knows they will only keep getting louder, quicker, smarter, and funner! She runs her own public relations firm, CIPR Communications, and she is the true definition of #momboss. Born and raised in Calgary and now raising her family there too; she loves the outdoors, politics, her two dogs, and her partner (in life and business – Peter!). Website: twobabiesandabusiness.com , Twitter @crontynen , LinkedIn cpilarski, Instagram twobabiesandabusiness,
By Christina Pilarski
My first airplane ride was when I was 21-years-old. So, when my boys came I knew that I wanted to prioritize family travel – it was important to me to make those family memories and to give them a glimpse at the world.
Our boys took their first road trip at 7 weeks old. I was pumping in the back of our SUV while they napped; we saw every small town between Calgary and Red Deer but it was all worth it.
Our boys took their first plane ride at 11 months old. It was a long 4 and a half hours down to Mexico but it was all worth it.
My boys are now 15 months – they’ve done about a dozen road trips and 3 trips by plane (that’s 6 airplanes total). I would never describe a trip as easy – but my husband and I say that every trip does get easier. It gets easier because you become more prepared and your kids grow too.
The thing I love about getting them exposed to travel so quickly is that it is now just something we do – and something we will always do. Every trip the kids discover something new about themselves and I feel like I grow as a mom.
So, what’s the most daunting part? Any trip runs the risk of the dreaded over-pack. I look around my home before a trip and think “oh my gosh, what would they do without that thing for a week?!” And, I can tell you, the lesson I’ve learned is that they don’t need it …
I will never forget packing for the first road trip – an overnight in Red Deer and our entire kitchen was full of stuff. The breastfeeding pillow, the cooler and the breast pump, clothes (lots of clothes), bassinets, stuffed animals and blankets, the stroller, the Thule stroller, the baby carriers … the list goes on. When we were unloading in Red Deer the concierge asked if we were staying the week.
Our first trip to Mexico was similar. I tried not to over packed but ended up under packing the essentials and having to make some costly purchases.
So, what do I recommend:
- Diapers – Pack what you need and add 10.
- Wipes – 1 pack a week. Remember these aren’t just for butts on vacation but become a go-to.
- Clothes – If the place you are going has a washing machine don’t over do it. Pack detergent and plan to do a wash or too. This is why I love renting a house on our road trips.
- Cups/Bottles/Cutlery – Bring the bare minimum and bring dish soap and paper towels. Your bathroom sink will become your washing station. I always do a thorough wash after bedtime. Don’t worry about the baby cutlery – our boys are pros at big-boy forks already because of our vacations.
- Blankets – bring their bedtime favorites but remember that wherever you are going they have extra bedding. You can lay sheets down in play areas and use extra blankets for the kids too.
- Beds – call ahead and ask what the situation is. This prepares you and will trigger what you do need to bring.
- Toys – Only a few. The point of the trip is to explore new things. But think of favorites they will want when you are close to home at bedtime. Books, stuffed animals, puzzles, blocks? Make sure these are toys you don’t mind losing, forgetting, or having to abandon.
- Extra shirts for mom and dad – at least one each. You never know what morning you’ll have a little extra breakfast on your sleeve or which afternoon someone will leave you a snotty gift.
Remember to take inventory before/after every trip and take note of what worked and didn’t. Strive to get more efficient each trip and it will make the packing challenge easier and easier.
Christina Pilarski is a mom of twins. Her boys were born in September 2016 and she knows they will only keep getting louder, quicker, smarter, and funner! She runs her own public relations firm, CIPR Communications, and she is the true definition of #momboss. Born and raised in Calgary and now raising her family there too; she loves the outdoors, politics, her two dogs, and her partner (in life and business – Peter!). Website: twobabiesandabusiness.com , Twitter @crontynen , LinkedIn cpilarski, Instagram twobabiesandabusiness,