When I was single this would be right up there with Snakes on a Plane.
Wait,,,it still is. Im going to San Diego with 3 kids (2yo, 3yo, 4yo)and hubby
AAAAAAAAgh!!!!!!! HAH...imagine the poor guy who has the seat next to us!!!!

Any suggestions.....2.5 hour flight?
Also I was told that 2 years and over dont require car seats.????? What?????

Bring plenty of snacks, plenty of little toys. (like the kind in the local toy store, that can be hand held, and keeps them busy for hours). This is good for the 3 year old and the 4 year old.

Now the two year old. Well, forget keeping him busy. You're going to have to put some scotch or rye in his baby bottle, and knock him out for the trip.

lol only kidding.


I cannot imagine travelling with 3 toddlers. You'll have the other people on the plane helping you out, believe me. There are ALWAYS grandmas on planes who love little ones.

Since they can't go anyplace, and you know they ARE ON THE PLANE, if you see an elderly person with a kid on their lap, just give a glance and if the kid ain't crying, you got 5 minutes of peace.

Just bring snacks, little toys and you can eve try bribery.

If the 3 year old and the 4 year old have good comprehension, before boarding the plane, say to them:

"this is a contest, to see who behaves the best. Whoever wins, gets to pick out ANY toy they want, once we get home."

You'll see two kids want to beat out each other.

Got to challenge them mentally. Won't work with the 2 year old

2 year olds rule everything. I've seen this over and over.

They can wrap anyone around their little finger. They are that adorable.

good luck

Choose your seats so you and dad can separate the 3 & 4 year olds by an aisle so they can see one another but can't touch and aggravate. Keep their mouths and fingers busy, for the sake of others, please! Bring "busy" snacks of multiple varieties in small amounts, suspense works.

Make faces across the aisle.

Bring unusual, new things that are "plane fun" only, special for the plane so they'll stay interested. Use the airline mags with the bigger ones to look for and identify objects, counting, colors, things they recognize and can name. No noise toys!

Walk the 2 yr. old the entire length of the plane at least two times during the flight. My observations have been that the little ones get cranky when they can't satisfy their curiosities and the need to move their little legs. Let the bigger ones stand on parent's thighs and do a thorough inspection of the other passengers, it lets them stretch and make eye contact which will show them that everyone else on the plane is quiet and sitting still.

Many times, other passengers will engage them in nonverbal facemaking and silliness. It helps.

You'll do fine! The question is, how will your plane neighbors do???

"You'll do fine! The question is, how will your plane neighbors do???"


I had to laugh out loud!!!!

Melody

They don't require car seats but it's not a bad idea because you'll need them at your destination and that way you don't have to deal with an unfamiliar seat from the rental car agency. A plus is that most kids understand that they can't get out of carseats so it might help prevent the wanting to run around that most seem to want to do... In addition, it is safer in the event of severe turbulence.

I frequent an adoptive parents board which discusses the long plane rides overseas with small children (trips of >24 hours ) Some of their tips are new small toys that you can bring out just for the trip. Lots of their favorite snacks, and portable DVD players, books are a must.

To be honest - that sounds like a really short trip - they'll be so excited by the takeoff and landing and throw in a video - the trip will be over before you know it! Good luck!

One thing that parents don't realize is that little kids don't know how to clear their ears during take off like adults do. Make sure you have a bottle or something for the 2 year old to suck on during take off...please for the child's sake. That's why most small children scream during take off. They can't clear their ears and they hurt!!!

Let the older ones chew gum...just for the take off so they can clear their ears. Special treat! Seriously. If that doesn't work, have them hold their nose real tight with their fingers, close their mouth tight, and blow.

When I went through Flight Attendant training, it was one of the things that we were taught. I don't think FA's are taught that anymore...if they are they sure don't seem to want to share that information with parents.

Sometimes kids also have trouble during the landing....you know when you hear those 4 dings...that means you are descending below 10,000' and sometimes it comes rather quickly and your ears don't have time to clear. So same procedure.

AMN had a great idea about sitting across the aisle. Kids of that age who can each have a window seat with mom on one side and dad on the other works great!! So call the airline and have you seats arranged that way. Not sure what kind of airplane you are flying, but seat configurations are like this:

737 - 3 seats on each side
757 - 3 seats on each side
767 - 2, 4, 2

They won't let you sit in an exit row and don't sit in front of an exit row because the seats don't recline. Also, don't sit in the bulkhead seat, b/c there is no place to put your carry on, but you do get to get on with the first zone (same time as the first class passengers) so you will have a place for your carry on and there is more leg room in the bulk head seats.

If you are flying Southwest, they don't pre-board passengers with children any more, they board them between Zones A and B, but you can check in online 24 hours in advance and usually get a Zone A boarding card. That way you can get a pretty high number as they have changed to A1-60 now instead of just letters.

If you didn't buy a ticket for your 2 yr old, then you won't have a seat for that child unless the flight isn't full. That child will have to sit on your lap the entire flight if the flight is full. Just because they say you don't have to have a child seat for your 3 yr old doesn't mean you can't bring ii on and use it. You can. Passengers do it all the time. Just make sure the seat belt works, if not, ask the flight attendant for an extension. They have them.

Also, take your car seats and gate check them. Don't check them as baggage.

Have a great flight!

Oh, I forgot one thing, and another mentioned something about videos.

Bring a portable dvd player. Get some of their favorite dvds (they have lots for kids, like Dora, and Diego, and Barney, and WHATEVER??

This will keep them occupied (hopefully).

Where were you guys when I came across country by Greyhound Bus with three kids 8, 6 and 5??? I was by myself with the three kids and first thing out of the bus driver's mouth is that we'd have to sit in the very back of the bus...wasn't gonna happen! We picked the first seats up front, by doing that we avoided a lot of the main problem of carsickness, the kids could see where we were going and they were very well behaved....

At the rear of the bus were some thugs who didn't want anyone using the restroom...they always had their feet against the door and they had brought booze on the bus. When my 8 year old went to use the restroom he came back saying they wouldn't let him in, I went back and had a chat with them...
they could let my children, and everyone else use the restroom, or I'd snitch that they had booze....after that when one of the kids had to go, soon as they stood up, one of those guys would come up front and escort a child back and see that they got up front again without falling because of movement from the bus. Couldn't ask for a nicer bunch of guys.

When I left Erie, PA headed for Phoenix, AZ I had a $20 bill, and three kids to feed...the driver would point out cheap places for me to feed the kids or he would hold the kids on the bus while I ran for food and one time the bus started leaving the terminal while I was still at the fast food place, and he pulled up out front and picked me up!! The driver bought the kids a couple meals, and passengers were buying them meals because they were so well behaved....when I got to Phoenix I still had $4.00 in my pocket!

That was back in 1978, that wouldn't happen now, I don't think...but it was a trip to be remembered.

Really, you can get up from your seat on a plane???? Who knew???? walk around? Really?????

I cant clear my own ears on the plane........the only time it doesnt bother me is if i can fall asleep before takeoff and wake up after we land. But that wont happen now!!!!! I was told to take decongestants before flying to help with this problem. Is this true? hasnt helped me any. Chewing gum, drinking, .......blah blah blah

Booster seats arent allowed?????

Is there a place to change diapers?

The airline is Continental

Who do you ask for help????

I think booster seats are fine. You can almost always change diapers on the restroom - it's small, but almost have a changing table. If not, practice changing on your lap! The flight attendant can help you.

Call continental if you have questions - they'll be happy to help. When you get on board - the flight attendants are usually pretty busy getting things settled but the one in the back can probably help you or answer any questions. Don't fret about this - it's going to be just fine.

Actually, I should amend this. Don't bother with Continental or the flight attendant....just put Cheryl on speed dial!