Every parent’s nightmare 😱 what are your best tips for travelling with small children, to avoid something like that happening?

  • Tolookah@discuss.tchncs.de
    21·
    10 days ago

    Assuming they are bigger than a lap child, bring the car/booster seat. It’s a comfort item, sized for them, and allowed on the plane. Also, they can’t wiggle out of a 5pt harness.

    Alternatively/also add: a tablet, phone, video or game to distract them if they are just scared. A few hours of video for the flight will not corrupt them.

      • RQG@lemmy.world
        8·
        9 days ago

        We did some good progress on our stardew farm during our last flight. My daughter loves do watch and backseat the game while I play. Steam Deck for the win.

    • hactar42@lemmy.world
      10·
      9 days ago

      Another good tip I received was to get them something new for the plane. When I had to fly with my son I got him a new game for his switch and waited to give it to him until after we boarded the plane. That way there was something fresh and new to keep his attention.

    • Fluffy Kitty Cat@slrpnk.netEnglish
      41·
      10 days ago

      The moral panic has gone so far out of hand if anyone even worries about distracting a kid with a phone on an airplane of all places

    • omigibsonOP
      21·
      10 days ago

      Good tips! I was also thinking candy or the child’s favorite snack. Anything is better than the plane getting cancelled. Use whatever bribe it takes.

      • Tolookah@discuss.tchncs.de
        4·
        10 days ago

        Sadly, food bribes last 15 minutes on a lucky day, because the tray table needs to be up. You need an item of power, like Dad’s phone.

    • RoquetteQueen@sh.itjust.works
      8·
      9 days ago

      Not necessarily. My child did something like this once. She was totally fine until it was time to strap her in. Then she completely freaked out and I had to hold her in with the seatbelt on while she screamed like she was being stabbed. It was a great experience.

  • ThePowerOfGeek@lemmy.worldEnglish
    81·
    10 days ago

    This is why I didn’t take my kids on a plane until the youngest was 7. But even when I did, I was a bit worried about something like this.

    Thankfully, giving him a tablet loaded with videos he likes kept him occupied. In my experience, don’t really on plane Wi-Fi! It’s always sucked (been unusable) for me. Someone else here mentioned about bringing candy/snacks, which is also a very good idea.

  • SaveTheTuaHawk@lemmy.caEnglish
    51·
    9 days ago

    I have three kids, all within 2 years.

    We did not travel on planes because I always though people with small kids in planes acted like entitled assholes.

    That family will now face a lawsuit from the airline. Someone has to pay for that flight.

  • Malyca@lemmy.zip
    3·
    9 days ago

    My son is autistic and stubborn. I could totally see him doing this. I’d try to get him to keep it on but if I can’t, I’m taking my family off the plane. It’s not reasonable to delay a plane full of people under any circumstances.

    • omigibsonOP
      2·
      9 days ago

      This plane had already left the terminal though. Maybe the kid was fine until the plane started moving?

      • Malyca@lemmy.zip
        1·
        9 days ago

        That could be it, but still on the parents because it has to stay fastened until cruising altitude. The staff wouldn’t have allowed the plane to take off without it fastened anyway.

  • RecursiveParadox@piefed.socialEnglish
    2·
    9 days ago

    One thing that helps a lot with take off and landing is to get them to swallow some liquids or eat a small snack. This lets them equalize their ears to the changes in pressure. Those can be very painful if you don’t instinctively do it (like kids) or if you have trouble with it.

  • AA5B@lemmy.world
    2·
    8 days ago

    Any kid may do this in an unfamiliar environment

    1. Parents need to be prepared with distractions
    2. Normally have an escape plan. For example if you were going to a restaurant, decide ahead of time which parent takes the kid outside
    3. Since there is no escape plan once you’re on an aircraft, don’t take a little kid flying if at all possible.

    We only took a little one once, at an age when nursing is a great distraction plus made him sleepy. Otherwise, we drove or didn’t travel longer distances.

    The reality is any kid may misbehave in such a scary environment. You may think the parents are entitled or poor parents when they don’t do something about it but the reality is in an airplane your options are limited