How to have a Successful Flight with Children.

Traveling on a airplane with children is not easy, in fact it can be a parents worst nightmare. I am a flight attendant and mother of three that has seen many disastrous flights with families. I have had my fair share as well. I think the biggest mistake that I and many others make is not being prepared before the flight. The key to sanity on an airplane is having enough food, toys, and entertainment.

Many flights these days do not have more than pretzels or peanuts on the plane. Depending on the length of the flight, you may have an option to purchase a meal. I must warn you though, the kids meals we offer are mostly junk. The last thing you want to do is fill your child up with sugar and then expect them to sit in their seat for five hours. Remembering to bring plenty of food is key, especially healthy food.

Bringing a number of different toys and books will also help. Crayons and coloring books are always a hit and kids love to make the pilots and flight attendants pictures. Reading them stories will help pass the time as well. What ever you do, do not just bring one toy. An assortment will help when they get bored. I had this family on my flight years ago that brought one toy for the whole flight. A small metal fire truck for their two year old. The toy kept him busy for maybe twenty minutes and then he threw it at another passenger. It hit the passenger in the head. Needless to say we had an angry passenger, a two year old that acted out the rest of the flight and embarrassed parents.

The last thing I recommend is to bring your own DVD player and movies. On the longer flights, most planes will show a movie or TV show but they are not always appropriate for children. The airline that I work for sometimes shows movies with violence or shows with sexual content. Little kids do not like them and parents complain about them. The best solution is to bring your own because the airlines do not cater to children but adults.