New York - A Plan for the Plane
Being a Swede and a Canadian with two kids born in Amsterdam and now living in New York, we are destined to spend the rest of our lives on airplanes. With six cousins in Sweden, two in Calgary and three in Montreal, we have to ensure we all get our dose of family. On top of that we want to spend quality time together as a family and discover new places. So we travel. A lot.
But how do you have quality time on an 8 hour flight? How do you ensure everyone (including mum and dad) are happy the entire time (well almost)?
Traveling with infants is easy! They don't run around, they sleep a lot, and are easily entertained. But you can make your trip even more enjoyable. For instance: at check in, ask to hold the seat beside you, unless they are packed solid, which they seldom are. There is ALWAYS a seat somewhere - and it has your (child's) name written all over it! The purser will help to move people around if necessary. If you have a car seat for kids, bring it along - if indeed there is a free seat next to you, lucky you! If not, you can stash the car seat in the overhead compartment. Be flexible, and don't be shy to go in front of the whole line at the gate. Most people are very understanding when traveling with kids. And when you are at it, ask for a gate check in for the stroller. If you are lucky (ask nicely) you can even bring it onboard. It makes your arrival so much easier. If you can't, ask exactly where the stroller will be delivered - try hard to get them to bring it out for you at the gate. We have at times waited for the stroller at the gate, just to find out 20 minutes later that it is waiting at the luggage pick up, and you are last in line at immigration.
The best investment we ever did was to buy a portable DVD player with two earphone outlets. As soon as we are in the air, and the boredom starts to kick in, we put on the favourite movie(s). This great form of entertainment can last for hours (at least for the 4 year old), and when you run out of batteries it's time to put on your charming you again. "I know there is a charger in Business Class somewhere,would it be possible?" Unless they are in the middle of serving vintage champagne they will help you.
Time for the meal! Now this is a very interesting part of the flight. Apple juice in a small plastic glass, trays, food and kids just don't match. Just as the cart has gone by your row, you hear a small voice: "I have to go pee, mum". (Great. Go in your seat. Here is a cup.) Time to show off your balancing act. Did you opt for the aisle seat? No, hopefully the occupant there is a friend of yours. By now, if your kids haven't already poured the apple juice all over them selves (bring a sippy cup!), or smeared the butter on the seat (wet naps!), or flipped over your tray on the aisle seat guy (your friend?), consider yourself lucky.
So the aisle is blocked by the cart, and your kid is dying to go. My strongest advise - bring at least one extra set of clothes, including underwear. Stay calm, be patient. AAAAHHHGGG! Hyper ventilate (that's what that bag is for, didn't you know!?). Only six hours to go.
The movie is no longer interesting, and all the snacks you brought are gone, including the chocolate! The little surprise gift you brought along is lost under the seat two rows back. Take a nap. Yes, I wouldn't mind. But you can't because your kid refuses to. He is happy as ever, tugging up and down on the window shutter, and flipping the table all at once. It doesn't matter that you kept him up and skipped the nap, it doesn't matter it's way after bedtime. He won't sleep.
Not until the video flight tracker shows that your altitude is falling, and you can feel the familiar pressure in your ears. He settles down in his seat. Blinking once, blinking twice, and just as the front wheels are extracted from the plane's body, he falls asleep. Ahhhh, five minutes of rest for you, congratulations! Well you are going to need it. With carry-on bags, and a sleeping child (37lbs), your trip is not over yet. Two miles of airport paths, immigration, bags to pick up, customs, taxi...You are there!
Don't you love traveling?
Karin Drakenberg
5 Favorite New York Activities with Kids
Bronx Zoo
A really, really nice (and large) zoo. Website: www.bronxzoo.com.
Children's Museum
Interactive, innovative, and always something new. Perfect on a rainy day. Website: www.cmom.org.
American Museum of Natural History
Real T-rexs, planets, and cool exhibits all under one roof. Website: www.amnh.org.
A horse and buggy ride in Central Park.
A must for anyone visiting the big apple.
Address: 59th Street, Central Park South
(bet 5th & 6th Aves across from The Plaza Hotel)
Phone: 212-736-0680
Rollercoasting/skating in the Park
On the same location, Victoria Gardens/Woolman Rink, in Central Park south. Rollercoaster in summer, skate rink in winter!
< back to Parent Stories
