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The Wise Traveler’s Tips for Parents: Handling the Carry on: "
Any article which promises to make traveling with kids a “piece of cake” is lying. It’s never easy to travel with kids. The mere feat of packing everything, especially when you’re at weight limits for your hand carried bags, can take the toll on any parent. What this article can do for you, though, is to point out things you can do to make things remotely tolerable for you and your partner.
These travel tips are actually quite simple. You probably won’t believe you’ve missed to do them the last time you traveled with the kids. You should be able to pass the travel test with flying colors if you take note of these things.
Look at your plane ticket
Make a list of the things that you’re allowed to bring. All airlines are legally bound to allow each of their passengers a carry-on, so if you’re traveling with kids, every child entitles you to one more carry-on. Make sure, though, that you can carry your child’s carry on while boarding and getting out of the plane. Also, look closely at the weight limit of your carry-on baggage. The usual weight limit is about 15 kg, but your airline’s limit may differ.
Look at the list of things not allowed onboard the plane. Make sure that you put sharp objects on your checked in luggage because chances are, they won’t be allowed on your carry-on. Don’t depend on the slim chance that your carry-on bag would fit the overhead bulkhead, especially if you’re traveling during the winter and this compartment is used for coats.
Try to bring only a small bag which would fit under the seat in front of you. This means that in any event there’s no more room in the overhead compartment, you may have to lose a bit of leg room. If your kids are small, you’re in luck. You can put the baggage in front of their seats since their feet won’t touch the floor, anyway.
3-1-1 rule
The TSA also won’t allow you to bring more than 3 oz. of gel or liquid in your carry-on. You are also allowed only a quart-sized baggie (zip locked) to keep your drinks of medicines in. However, this rule exempts mothers who need to bring more than three ounces of milk formula or bottled breast milk into the plane, especially during long hauls. These need to be removed from the hand carried bags before the security check point.
The security personnel must also be notified while they’re checking your bags so they can give you permits. For thirsty toddlers, purchase juice packs for them after going through the security. The 3-1-1 exemption only goes for infants. You’re free to store extra juice packs in your carry-on bag so you can hand them to your kids if they can’t wait for beverage service once inside the plane.
Strollers and bulky gear
Bringing strollers and car seats along for the plane ride can be pretty tricky. On the one hand, strollers can help you maneuver your children in the airport. They come in handy when you’re trying to carry two carry-on bags and your child is getting restless as well. Keeping them strapped onto the stroller is convenient and secure. On the other hand, they can be very inconvenient when you’re lugging them around and not using them.
If you have a restless toddler, it’s advisable for you to bring the stroller along and request for a car seat (if you’re buying your child a seat in the plan. Some planes allow infants and children sit on their parents’ laps. For safety reasons, though, it’s best to buy your child a separate seat. If the airline doesn’t provide car seats for small children, bring your own.
Should the car seat be provided for by the airline, however, maybe you can just rent out a car seat at your destination. Most car rentals include car seat options in their packages, anyway. If you don’t have that much carry-on and your child is pretty calm for a toddler, perhaps you can just wear a hand tag if they would like to walk beside you, or carry your child while you’re walking through the airport.
Some airports have bag carts that include a small seat for toddlers. If this is the case, bringing a bulky stroller would be unnecessary.
Figure out what you must bring for the child
Remember that old rule in your Economics class? You need to separate your needs from your wants so you can have a financially stable life. The same rule applies when you’re packing. Do you really need your laptop for the trip? Compared to your child’s diaper bag, which one is more important?
For parents with infants, the diaper bag is definitely more important. You need, aside from the diapers, a changing pad, plastic bags, diaper creams, wipes, tissues, blankets, teeth toys, pacifiers, and a change or two of clothes for your child.
Also bring a hat, milk formula, bottles, nursing pads, baby food, the feeding set, your child’s favorite food, and anything else which your child will need to travel comfortably. Medication is also a must, so depending on your child’s needs, you might have to bring gas pain medication, teething relief, or maybe even fever reducers.
If you’re traveling with a toddler, a backpack with all of our child’s favorite toys is necessary to keep him/her from getting bored. Make sure that the backpack is small and light enough for your child to carry. A change of clothes is also necessary no matter how short your flight is. You never know when an accident might happen.
Snacks, drinks which you can purchase after the security gate, and small books and blankets to help your child sleep through the flight are also necessities. You may or may not need to bring diapers, depending on your child’s age.
Preparing for a school-aged child is somewhat easier simply because kids this age can carry their own backpacks now. Fill the pack with their favorite toys, books, a sweater, snacks, a pack of gum or candy, and beverages which you should buy only after the security gate. You might also want to bring ear plugs to reduce ear pressure, relief for motion sickness, a first aid kit, fever relief and other prescribed medicines.
On the back pack, write your name and cell phone number. This will help you keep track of both the pack and your child, just in case you lose him/her in the crowd. Hold your child’s hand the whole time, though, as much as you can.
Traveling with Teens
It’s supposed to be easier to travel with teens, but it’s not always the case. Just because they’re now older to decide for themselves doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t check on your teen’s carry-on. Make sure that the important items are in there like passports and IDs. Just in case your teen is on the rebellious side, double check their things and get rid of “rule-breakers”.
Also, make sure that other important items like prescribed medicines and motion sickness relief are there, too. Let your teen carry his/her own ticket if s/he is responsible enough, and make sure that the cell phone is in the bag. Teens do tend to wander off on their own and you need to make sure you can contact them when they do.
You can’t allot all the space to your child’s needs, can you? You also have to bring a few things for yourself. The trick here, really, is to bring only what is necessary so you can give the extra space to a young child should s/he need it. Make sure that you have enough cash on you whenever you travel. Check if your itinerary, plane tickets, passport, medication, jewelry, camera, cell phone, and other important items are in the bag.
Lay them all out on your bed and line them up according to importance. This way, you’ll know which ones to let go of should you go over the carry-on limit. Pack whatever you can pack in the luggage that you’re checking in. If you can afford to leave items at home, do so, too. Consider the number of days you’ll be gone, and how much you really need each item you put inside the bag.
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