Sesel Sa! January - March 2015 Jan - March 2015 | Page 40

Ask for help
The flight attendants, while they always
look busy (and generally are), are there to
help you – whether you need them to pass you your
bag from the overhead stowage, fetch you additional
pillows for your child to get comfortable or even act
as the ‘bad guy’ (ask them to have a stern word with
your child who refuses to keep their seatbelt on – kids
generally listen to anybody who looks official over
mom and dad).

"Rather let the
kids stay on
solid ground
for as long as
possible, to burn
off their energy
and stretch
their legs".
What to pack

What to pack and how to make it all fit is one of life’s
mysteries. But below are some important things
you absolutely cannot be without if travelling with
children
Snacks
Lots and lots of snacks. Throw all your normal
rules out the window and choose a peaceful
flight over health, just for a few hours. Chips, cookies,
dried fruit, nut bars and a few (low-sugar) sweet treats,
as well as bottled water and fruit juice (and milk or
formula if your little one is still a baby). Keep them onhand and offer to the children throughout the flight.
Nothing makes children crankier than being hungry or
thirsty and having to wait a long time before getting
anything. And the other treats can be used as bribery
when they’re whining “are we there yet?” or pulling
their sister’s hair.
Electronics
Like with the snacks, be a little more
lenient with your rules while travelling – if
playing the iPad for three hours straight keeps them

36

SESEL SA! | JAN - MAR 2015 ISSUE NO. 6

distracted, so be it (and let them know this is a onceoff and not the norm). Depending on the age of your
children, bringing along Leappad playing consoles, an
iPad with games and movies loaded on, and iPod for
the older kids.
Their favourite items
Make sure you bring along your young one’s
favourite blanket and fluffy toy (always bring
the second favourite too – in case the other one gets
lost or something spilled on it). Also bring one or two
of their favourite books.
New things
New things always distract the kids for
longer. Just avoid anything with sounds, like
a toy phone (which will annoy the other passengers
– and you). Think: new books, stickers, drawing pads
and crayons, things that light up or move and a new
doll or soft toy. Don’t hand everything out at once;
give them one by one and ensure you save something
for just before landing.
Change of clothes
Accidents happen – like knocking over the
food tray, spilling juice, a bathroom accident
and the like – so ensure you have extra clothes. Also,
aeroplanes tend to be really cold, so make sure you
bring along warm tops for the whole family. You can
never have too many wet wipes – they’re great for
everything from cleaning sticky hands and removing
make-up to mopping up spills. If you’re travelling with
a baby, ensure lots of spare nappies and dummies
(which tend to get flung around the plane and lost),
as well as spare bottles; always best to prepare for
unexpected flight delays.
“Emergency” suitcase
Ensure one of your hand luggage suitcases
has all the items