Handy hints for toddler travel

Travelling with a toddler is very different from travelling with a baby. While we did a bit of travel with Puddleduck when she was a baby, we realised a fully blown 2 year old was going to be an entirely different kettle of fish when it came to 2.5 hours captive on a plane. Especially when one of us hadn't slept the night before and the other was really quite unwell. We were going to need back up. And lots of it.

Step one: Food.

I know that strictly speaking food gives toddlers energy, but I firmly believe that if you fill them up enough they become a little soporific. Combine that with the hum of the plane and you just might see them drift off to sleep. Bear in mind I said might.

Step two: Supplies.

Make sure you pack plenty of supplies, Toys, books, games - basically anything that might hold their attention for more than a few minutes at a time. When you get to the airport - buy more. You can never have too much. Trust me.

Step three: Bring friends.

Toddlers like companions they can boss around. You tell them that they have to sit in their seat and strap themselves in for take off and landing and they tell their little friend the same thing. Generally this is where they will do lots of yelling at little friend to sit DOWN and stay THERE and wag their fingers in their naughty friend's face so people assume this is how you talk to your toddler. How else would they have picked up such negative parenting techniques?

Step four: Bring electronic entertainment.

The trick here is to look like you want to use it. Once the toddler gets wind you're trying to do something to amuse yourself on the flight they're onto it in a flash. It's the ants pants and bees knees all rolled into one. A guaranteed winner.

Step five: Be prepared.

Have plenty of nappies and wipes handy. You never know who might need changing. And how long that game might distract and amuse toddler.


Step six: Accept the inevitable.

They will fall asleep. The moment you land and not a second before.