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Message |
    
Amie Brockway-Metcalf
Citizen
Username: Amie
Post Number: 509
Registered: 6-2004
| | Posted on Monday, February 20, 2006 - 9:26 am: | 
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We're about to take off on a trip that requires two 3+ hours legs of a flight. My two and a half year old is not a calm child, and never falls asleep on the plane except for the descent (last three flights, ha's fallen asleep during the landing.)
We've got a portable dvd player with new Thomas and Wallace & Grommit, some non-sticky modelling clay, and one of those drawing boards. Any other suggestions? He'll be in a car seat. Any suggestions on how to stop him from kicking the seat ahead of us would be great.
And no, the benedryl just makes him hyper. |
redY67
Citizen
Username: Redy67
Post Number: 4921
Registered: 2-2003
| | Posted on Monday, February 20, 2006 - 9:34 am: |
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My daughter is the same when she flys. Hopefully the DVD player will really do the trick (it did for us) Maybe bring some crayons and paper? Also lots of snacks for him will help. |
kmk
Supporter
Username: Kmk
Post Number: 1025
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Monday, February 20, 2006 - 9:46 am: |
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My girls love Wikki Stix on plane rides...
Take his shoes off to lessen the impact of his feet on the seat in front of you and pray for a mom sitting there!
I also keep all sorts of new "special" snacks in a bag. Goldfish, granola bars, chex mix, tiny oreos, anything that they can investigate and spend some time enjoying.
Finally - we brought my "active" daughter's blanket and pacifier, even when she was 4! Things that are familiar helped to calm her down too.
(Benedryl did the same thing to my kid - of course we only find this out in flight!) |
danielle davis
Citizen
Username: Ddavis
Post Number: 6
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Monday, February 20, 2006 - 9:58 am: |
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Try to get the first row! They only give it out once you arrive, and try to reserve for elderly or handicapped, but if they're available they often give them away to people travelling with small children. Not only is there no one in front of you to kick but there's often a little more room for them to stand up and play on the floor a bit and you're close to the flight attendants ( my daughter is always fascinated watching them and you usually get food and drinks first). Pack a few new toys or books that they've never seen and stickers are always helpful. If the benadryl is out keep some motrin or tylenol handy you never know when they or YOU will need it!
good luck! |
doulamomma
Citizen
Username: Doulamomma
Post Number: 1072
Registered: 3-2002
| | Posted on Monday, February 20, 2006 - 10:24 am: |
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Wrap up a few little, inexpenisve toys - new even ones he hasn't played with for a time & they will seem like new "gifts"
Headphones for the DVD player so he can listen privately.
Agreed with the shoe removal & snacks (I put that stuff in their backpacks - everyone much over 2 has to carry their own stuff!)
A fun map of the US - put stickers on when you cross over various states. Or make a treasure hunt for looking out the window - get a sticker when they see swimming pools or mountains or a river etc. We did this & put all stuff in a zip up 3 ring binder with some paper & a little pencil pouch so he could feel like a big kid & do "homework".
I sometimes get them their own one use camera so they can document their trip - sometimes they get some good shots (& sometimes noone has a head - just knees)
I think teething tablets (with chamomilla) for calming all even if noone is teething. Saline drops or Evian spray can be good if anyone is feeling dry. I swear by the homeopathic "No Jet Lag" tablets from Whole Foods & take packets of "EmergenC" for us all to drink to help fight off any recirculated germs we might encounter on our flight.
Bon Voyage!
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soresident
Citizen
Username: Soresident
Post Number: 339
Registered: 10-2001
| | Posted on Monday, February 20, 2006 - 10:32 am: |
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Colorforms or their equivalents stick to plane windows. It's amazing how many times a child will put them on and off a window during a flight! I used to find them at the toy store in Millburn (Babyland?). They were always great with suggestions for plane amusements. |
Shanabana
Citizen
Username: Shanabana
Post Number: 223
Registered: 10-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 21, 2006 - 9:27 am: |
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Don't know what colorforms are, but sounds like some kind of clay? Play dough with the things that they use to cut, squeeze, etc is a good way to occupy time. |
soresident
Citizen
Username: Soresident
Post Number: 340
Registered: 10-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 21, 2006 - 9:51 am: |
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http://www.universitygames.com/colorforms/products.asp
Classic toy for over 50 years. Thin plastic shapes you stick onto a board (or an airplane window) for imaginative play. Miss Cookie's Kitchen is the one I recall from my childhood! |
jet
Citizen
Username: Jet
Post Number: 1038
Registered: 7-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 21, 2006 - 12:43 pm: |
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Maybe you should ask Brett. |
Arsenal
Citizen
Username: Arsenal
Post Number: 67
Registered: 8-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 21, 2006 - 1:18 pm: |
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Buy a couple small cheap toys. Wrap them. Every half hour or so give to child to open and play with. Its a great system. We even wrap some current favorite toys, like matchbox cars, and he gets real excited to see his friends. They also love the unwrapping part too. Major issue with this system is the return flight. We usually buy some additional inexpensive items and wrap them in newspaper. Its worked very well for us so far one a couple 6 hour flights. |
Brett
Citizen
Username: Bmalibashksa
Post Number: 2160
Registered: 7-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 21, 2006 - 1:31 pm: |
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As I explained in the other thread Jet, I have no issues with children on flights. I even made it a point of saying that I haven’t witness children being unruly on flights in more then a year. My issue was the boarding process. Maybe instead of being obnoxious, you should read the thread. |
jet
Citizen
Username: Jet
Post Number: 1039
Registered: 7-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 21, 2006 - 4:37 pm: |
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Dude, I was just making a joke. I kind of liked your posts & you have some good info. But I guess I have toss you on to the jerk-off pile. May you count pit bulls in your sleep. |
Amie Brockway-Metcalf
Citizen
Username: Amie
Post Number: 510
Registered: 6-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 21, 2006 - 8:40 pm: |
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Thanks everyone! |
Handygirl
Citizen
Username: Handygirl
Post Number: 593
Registered: 2-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 22, 2006 - 2:51 pm: |
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Sticker books are great. You can get some nice, big ones on amazon.com |
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