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:
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:
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,