13 tips to make flying with children less turbulent

Make your skies a little more friendly...
The first time I traveled with my son was when he was 7 months old. I was terrified to spend 5 hours on a plane without my husband or anyone to help me. I was just sure my son would scream and cry the entire way. Everyone in the waiting area glared at me as I boarded the plane, just sure that I'd be the one with the screaming kid. I was shocked when we landed in Charlotte, NC and I realized that my son hadn't let out a peep the whole time. As I got off the plane, several passengers commented on what a good baby I had, what a good mother I was. While I was beaming, I knew that I would have been pummeled by those same people if things had gone slightly different. I know that because, years later, my children were those terrors on the plane. Here are some tips to help make your flight a little easier.

• Keep your kids busy! Have a present for them to unwrap every 20 minutes or so. Yes, I'm telling you to bribe your kids. A box of crayons, a coloring book, some paper, a mini play-doh (get the mini or it will be taken at security), a book, etc. will keep them busy and excited to receive a new gift. Don't forget to stock up at the local drug store for the return trip. *During high alert status, your packages will likely be unwrapped. Consider a surprise grab bag instead.
• Electronic games with headphones are a great way to pass the time. I love our Leapsters.
• Don't overdo it on snacks. That said, be sure to have enough to keep your kids from getting hungry. We overdid it on snacks for our last flight and well... it wasn't pretty. Onto my next point.
• Dress your child comfortably. I love zip up sweatshirts. This allows your child to adjust to the temperature on the airplane and can serve as a quick pillow.
• Slip on shoes!!! If everyone wears slip-ons, the security process will be so much easier.
• Check your car seats! Unless you are absolutely certain that you're going to use your car seat onboard the airplane, there is no sense lugging those seats through security and down the tarmac only to check them at the gate. Bring clear plastic bags to prepare the seats for travel. Most airlines will provide these but for a charge.
• If you have a child that is prone to motion sickness, pack a motion sickness kit. I was amazed at how clueless our flight attendants were when my daughter got sick. It took them 10 minutes to find the airsickness kit and then they handed it to me to handle while I was holding my sick, upset daughter. Pack two garbage bags, a pair of latex gloves, a travel pack of Dramamine, purel and a washcloth/ disposable wipes. Use one garbage bag to dispose of towels or wipes and the other for soiled clothes.
• Always pack an extra outfit for your kids and an extra shirt for you. Keep it in your carry on baggage. Spills, sickness and accidents make for a long flight if there's nothing to change into.
• If your child experiences ear pain on the flight, consider benadryl or tylenol... this is not medical advice and some might shun the idea but it sure makes for a quieter flight =). Also consider Ear Planes which are small plastic ear plugs that help regulate ear pressure. These really do work.
• Before getting on the airplane, find a place for your kids to blow off steam. Many airports have gotten smarter and have built play areas throughout the building.
• If you're travelling with a baby, the front packs are fantastic. Your flight attendant will likely make you remove it during take off and landing because they are not approved by the FAA. However, it makes going to the bathroom and taking a nap much easier. Being held nice and snug against mom or dad helps your child to feel more secure as well.
• If you're travelling with the family, have one parent board early to get the seats ready. Have the parent take all of the baggage and get it situated in the seats and overhead bins. This way you're less likely to clog the aisles with cranky kids. When you land, if you're toward the front of the plane, go ahead and get off. However, if you're in the middle or back of the plane, it's a good idea to stay put until most of the plane has unloaded. If your kids are expected to stand in line and wait for a long time, you're going to have a meltdown. It's also more polite to keep your kids seated so other passengers can get off of the plane more easily. If you have a connection, disregard this and run like the a gazelle!
• Finally, if a flight attendant goes out of her way to accommodate your child, get her name and write a letter to her supervisor. Most airlines reward employees with points for merchandise and gift certificates. All too often, people only write letters to complain.