Flying without Sedatives

Like most parents travelling with kids, I worry before every trip about how the flight will go. With each trip the kids get a little bit older, and a little bit more mobile, and a little bit more feisty. Little D is just on the verge of walking (and even took a few unaided steps for the first time today!!) meaning she’s in a constant state of agitation, wanting to use every available opportunity to figure out how to walk. While I’m (obviously) super excited for her to walk, I’m also wondering how we’ll deal with all the energy on the flight.

Times Online has a story about different moms' travel experiences with sedating their kids for air travel. Some of them are pretty painful, some less so.

We’ve never had to sedate our kids. Possibly I’m too nervous about getting the opposite effect to give it a try. Partly, I think we’re just lucky that they are good travelers (and the fact that they’ve done flown a lot means that they know what to expect). Partly I think that my kids are just delighted with the idea of getting my undivided attention and maybe even a nap in mom’s lap. Finally, I think that we’ve given up the expectation that the kids will sleep or entertain themselves for the entire flight just as I’ve given up the expectation at home of being able to sit down at the computer uninterrupted during the day.

Here are our tips for making un-sedated air travel with the kids go smoothly.

0 comments | Posted on September 27, 2007 | Save to del.icio.us

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