This blog is for all parents; those in the traditional workforce, those who work from home, and those who work at home. Join our conversations about balancing the needs of family with the demands of work, discovering resources and activities around Alaska, and opening a dialogue about the perks and challenges of parenthood. One of our three contributors emphasizes teen and family issues. We welcome your comments but please keep them on point and civil. Avoid personal attacks and the use of profanity.
Erin Kirkland
Erin Kirkland writes freelance and lives in Anchorage with her husband and two boys, 14 and 3. She has covered family-related topics for newspapers, parenting magazines and the Web. Erin and her family moved to Anchorage in 2005. She'll post on Wednesdays about great activities the entire family can participate in, and enjoy, together.
Gina Romero
Gina Romero is a lifelong Alaskan who is passionate about parenting. She left Alaska for a short time to earn a degree in journalism and returned for a job at Channel 2 News. Gina produced the Channel 2 Newshour for the better part of a decade and more recently served as communications specialist at the Anchorage Chamber of Commerce. Career perspectives changed when her daughter was born in 2007, and Gina is now a mother by day and freelance writer by night. Her Monday blog posts will focus on striking a healthy balance between work and family.
Writer Heather Lende has 5 children, biological and adopted, aged 17-25 and has been married to their dad for 26 years. She also coaches high school runners. She'll try to help you with teenage, young adult, and family matters. Expect her posts on Fridays.
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Posted: October 11, 2009 - 2:58 pm
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Our three week journey to Denver to visit my husband's family is about to come to an end. On Tuesday, we board the plane for the flight back to Alaska. Traveling with a 2-year-old and 7-month-old is not exactly easy. Flying with children seems to cause anxiety for parents and for other passengers on the plane. I consulted with lots of parents and seasoned travel professionals before we went on this trip. I thought it would be helpful to share all of the tips I've learned, and perhaps to pick up some tips from others.
Burn the Midnight Oil: We had great luck with the red-eye flight. We kept the kids up until boarding time and they slept the entire time. Direct flights work best. We had a layover in Portland during the flight to Denver and the kids got a little cranky, but luckily they settled back down.
Sit in the Back: We always sit in the very back of the plane. We are right next to the restroom to get drinks of water, or to escape if one of the kids starts screaming. I find it is louder in the back and the white noise puts the kids right to sleep.
One Stroller; Free Hands: If you have small children, a double stroller works well. That way, you aren't dealing with separate strollers while boarding and while moving between gates. On that note, try to keep your hands free. During the trip here, I had the sling, diaper bag and two blankets. It was too much to deal with while getting on and off of the plane. For the trip home, I'm packing the sling, and will scale down to one small blanket.
Technology Is Your Friend: For toddlers, a portable DVD player with headphones works well. If you are an i-Phone parent, there are tons of free apps designed to entertain small children. Click Here for more information about iPhone apps designed for children.
Pack the Essentials: Bring a small thermos with warm water for bottles. Also, bring milk for the toddler. There was not milk available on the plane during the trip from Anchorage to Denver. In addition, pressure can be hard on your child's ears. Have some Tylenol available. Doctors advised me to give a bottle or paci to the baby during take-off and landing. It helps to time your feedings so baby is hungry during those key times.
What other tips do YOU have? Wish me luck for the flight back to Anchorage. I'll be sure to give an update. Below are some great Web sites with information and tips for travel with children:
Top Five Affordable Domestic Airlines
The Rough Guide to Travel with Babies and Young Children
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