Surviving the airport with children!
Heading to the airport can be such an exciting event, when you are packed, organized, and your children are prepared. We have done it both ways, and I much prefer the calmer and organized way! Even if you are organized, it is a challenge to maneuver a family through security, the airport, and finally settling on the plane! Here are some tips to make it a bit easier:
Air travel
1. Airplanes by Byron Barton is a great book with big pictures that helps explain flying to young children. You might think of getting this book or one similar to read to your child before flying. Get everyone excited about it!
2. Early arrival. Remember EVERYTHING takes longer with children. Give yourself plenty of time to get through security, get to your gate, have an extra potty break and diaper change, and breathe before boarding! Remember your children will react to your anxiety and stress.
3. Security
- Most airports will have a “family line” for security. This line is a better option when you have children. The agents are accustomed to handling families and children.
- Put everything on the security belt and remove your shoes before you take your little one out of his stroller. Explain the process to your toddler age child and older. Let them know that their favorite toys or “lovey” will “ride” on a belt and then be given back to them. This may prevent a melt down!
- Infant formula, breast milk, baby food and any necessary medications may be brought in any reasonable amount. These items may be checked. Inform security that you are carrying these items.
- All child equipment that fits will be put through the x-ray. This includes strollers, car seats, backpacks etc. Try to remove everything from the stroller before you get to the x-ray and collapse it.
- Children age 12 and under no longer have to remove shoes. TSA will not ask travelers to do anything that will separate them from their child.
- Babies should be carried through a walk through metal detector by a parent, depending on the screener, many will allow you to carry the baby in a metal free sling.
- Parents may carry infants and small children through the metal detector, older children will walk through on their own. There are newer procedures in place that usually eliminate a need for a “pat down” for children.
- Some airports use advanced imaging technology to screen passengers for metallic and non metallic threats. Children that can stand still for 5 seconds (no toddler or preschooler that I know!) can be screened using this machine. Parents carrying infants or children cannot be screened. This screening is optional and parents and/or children can opt out but will receive alternative screening which may include a pat down.
- TSA Traveling with Children is a great place to find out additional information about airport security and families.
- Keep your tickets and IDs in hand or in a convenient pocket until you board the plane.
4. Children under age 2 can be carried on a parent’s lap. Be prepared to prove your child’s age, a copy of a birth certificate will alleviate any questions. Both the FAA and the American Academy of Pediatrics does recommend getting a seat for children under age 2. Bring your car seat and ask at the gate if there are open seats on the flight. Many airlines will give you an open seat for a child under age 2 if a seat is available.
5. Children over age 2 should fly in a FAA approved car seat. Carry the car seat to the gate and install in the seat you bought for your child. Follow the directions in your car seat manual. Booster seats are NOT FAA approved.
6. CARES is a restraint system that is a 5 point harness certified for air travel by the FAA. It is for children 22 to 44 pounds and is easily installed on the plane seat. This is an option for parents that travel by air frequently. \http://kidsflysafe.com/
7. Check your stroller and car seat if necessary at the gate. Car seat and stroller covers can be purchased but are not necessary. Be sure that your items are tagged.
8. Do not board early with your child. Have one parent board and install the car seat, put items in overhead storage, and settle. Board with your child at the last minute. This will save about 30 minutes of sitting prior to take off.
9. Window seats are great for children; try to book your seat prior to arriving at the airport.
10. Nurse, bottle feed or have your child drink through a straw at take off and landing. This may prevent ear pain from the change in air pressure.
11. Pack a small portable bag in your carry on with a couple of diapers and wipes and maybe a change of clothes for an infant. It is much easier to walk down the aisle to change your child’s diaper with a small bag than a large carry on.
12. Pack a “fun bag” with simple, quiet toys. (see the blog post on car travel) Plan for a new activity every ½ hour or so when your child is awake. Don’t pull out the toys too soon…most children are entertained with the people and activities around them for a period of time. Save those toys for when you REALLY need them!
13. Take your toddler’s shoes off after boarding. Toddlers have a tendency to kick the seat in front, removing their shoes will keep the passenger in the seat in front much happier!
14. Remember, most people are very patient with families when flying and often will help you out! Just breathe and smile if you have a fussy little one…getting upset makes it worse for you and your child!
15. After landing, be the last one off the plane. Don’t try to gather all of your things and hold other passengers up. It is so much easier to wait and then gather your car seat, back pack, kids’ toys etc. A few minutes longer on the plane actually decreases everyone’s stress level!
16. Jet lag. If the time difference is minimal consider living on your own home time for the trip. Going west seems to be easiest. Keep your toddler up until their normal bedtime locally—they will be very tired. Put them to bed and wake them up on their normal wake time, locally. Going east is a little more difficult. Keep your toddler up until they are sleepy and ready for bed—which will be later than their normal bedtime. Wake them the next morning on the local time at their normal wake time. This will make for a tired child that day—but hopefully will get them on the correct time by the next day.
You made it! You have landed, gathered your luggage, and the vacation begins…remember to cut everyone a little slack after a busy day through airports. Take some time to unwind once you arrive at your destination…a deep breath and a glass of wine may be in order!
Take a breath, enjoy the joyful moments of each day, and remember you don’t have to be perfect to be the perfect parent.
Cindy
Fun is being creative AND a little messy!
Messy is good! Most kids like activities that involve a little “mess”!
I can remember really searching at times to fill the days with activities for my kids. I checked out books from the library and talked to other Moms to find ideas that were kid friendly and fun. Now, there are so many ways to find activities. The library is still a great resource, but the internet has endless ideas. My new favorite is www.Pinterest.com
So many great ideas for so many things on this site! I found some fun activities for your kids that are developmentally appropriate, safe and easy. I added a few of my own too. Let me know what you think and add any ideas that you may have tried!
Finger paint with pudding
My kids LOVED this! Fun way to finger paint without worrying that they will eat it! Put them in the tub and let them “paint” on the tub walls, or let them “paint” their highchair tray! Cleans up easy and is fun! Kids like messy play!
Finger paint with shaving cream
A little less messy is “painting” with shaving cream. Great way to have preschoolers learn to trace letters. Let them use their finger and copy a letter or a shape. Fun to do in the tub too! You can put a drop or two of water based washable paint in the shaving cream to color it. It should not stain a tub or your child’s skin! I have seen postings of using food coloring in shaving cream, but I think that may stain your little one’s skin! When I did this with my kids, the high chair tray never was cleaner!
Paint in a bag
Try putting paint in a ziplock baggie. Close it up ( you may want to tape it shut too) and let your child move the paint around in the bag without getting any on their hands! This works really well for the child that does not like to get his or her hands dirty! It is also a mess free way to paint for you!
Marble paper with shaving cream
Great idea from the blog Having Fun at Home. This sounds easy and looks like fun! Take a look at this blog. Lots of fun ideas!
http://havingfunathomeblog.blogspot.com
1. Fill a 9 x13 pan with a layer of shaving cream. Squirt a few colors of liquid tempera paint on top. (washable, and water based)2. Using a knife or stick, swirl the colors around.
3. Place a piece of white cardstock on top of the shaving cream and smush it down, making sure that every piece of the cardstock is thoroughly wet.
4. Pull the cardstock off and wipe the excess shaving cream off with a paper towel. (Try to do it thoroughly with the first wipe because the more wiping you do, the more muted the marbling.)
The paint stays on the paper even though the shaving cream is wiped off. When the paper dries, it looks really nice. Perfect to frame with the date for a gift!
“Sand” table
Just fill a plastic tub that has a lid with rice or dried beans if you want to use it inside, or sand if it is going to be used outside. The rice or beans makes a “cleaner” sandbox. The kids love to fill and dump the rice or beans and can dig for surprises that you hide. Cover it with the plastic lid and store for later! If you want to use sand, this will also keep your sand clean and contained.
Jello Playdough
I have made this in the past. This is a great recipe…no fears if it is eaten! It smells good too! This website gives all kinds of playdough recipes! http://www.playdoughrecipe.org
- white flour – 1 cup
- salt – 2 tbsp
- cream of tartar – 2 tbsp
- cooking oil – 2 tbsp
- warm water – 1 cup
- Jello – 1 3oz pack or you can use a sugar free Kool-aid packet
Directions:
- Add all the ingredients together in a big mixing bowl
- Mix all the ingredients together until consistent
- Pour into a pan cook over low heat and stir continuously
- Wait for it to thicken into a big ball and then place it on a piece of wax paper to cool
- Kneed it for a few minutes once cooled with some flour
- Add any food coloring or glitter to spice things up!
- Start playing!
Sorting tray
Try getting out your muffin trays and using them as sorters. Let your child sort colored pom poms, different types of cereal, colored pieces of felt, etc. Sorting is a pre-reading skill. Let your child sort the way he or she wants to…don’t force your idea of sorting. They will eventually find their own pattern of sorting.
Paint in a shoe box
Place white paper in a shoe box. Put a couple “globs” of water based washable paint on the paper. Place some marbles in the box. Let your child roll the marbles around in the box through the paint to make a picture. No mess!
These are just a few ideas to fill your day when you are searching for activities. Remember young children LOVE to be creative, and messy is fun! Get a little messy, enjoy being a kid with your child!
Take a breath, enjoy the joyful moments of each day, and remember you don’t have to be perfect to be the perfect parent.
Cindy
The preschool years!
Dress up and pretend play is part of a preschooler’s life! Kelsey and Kaitlyn getting ready for a “fancy” tea party we had with friends!
One of my favorite stages is preschool age, age 3 to 5. Those years in our house were full of imagination, dolls, trains, budding friendships, energy, and questions! Preschoolers can now run, jump, climb, and pedal a bike. They no longer “toddle”! Tumbling and outdoor playgrounds are favorites. Fine motor control is becoming more defined. They are starting to cut with scissors, hold pencils like an adult, and string beads. Blocks, Legos and other construction materials are a favorite along with anything to role play like dress up clothes and dolls.
The preschooler’s mind is like a sponge. Have you ever spent the afternoon with a curious preschooler? Learn to answer the question “Why?” I know I bought a book about how things work to try to keep up with my son when he was 5! A preschool aged child looks at the world with imaginative eyes, and has very magical thinking. Sometimes they tell “stories” and it is difficult for them to tell the difference between what is “real” and what is “pretend”. Be prepared for some “tall” tales.
Board games are fun at this age, but at 4 and 5 children can have a very difficult time if they don’t win. They are not very good sports! It is important to play games and talk about the feeling of losing and winning. A preschooler’s vocabulary will be quite large, and often they will sound much more adult than their emotions are. They are verbal and bossy!
Such a fun age. Children at this age will embrace the world around them and want to do it all. Have fun doing all the “kid” activities in your community and watching your child start to form real friendships. Here are a few milestones you should be seeing in your 4 to 5-year-old child as they prepare to enter kindergarten in the near future!
Large motor skills for a 4-year-old
- Stands on tip toes
- Walks up and down stairs using alternating feet
- Runs
- Kicks a ball
- Rides a tricycle
- Stands on one foot for at least 5 seconds
Large motor skills for a 5-year-old
- Throws a ball overhand
- Catches a bounced ball most of the time
- Kicks a ball forward well
- Hops on one foot
- Stands on one foot for at least 10 seconds
- Skip with alternating feet
- Swings
- May learn to ride a two-wheel bike
Fine motor skills for a 4 and 5-year-old
- Cuts a straight line with scissors
- Turns the pages in a book one at a time
- Uses eating utensils well
- Begins to copy capital letters and shapes
- Draws a 4 to 5 part person
- Can button and dress self
- Can learn to tie at 5
- Can build a tower of 6 to 9 blocks
- Can string beads and lace “sewing cards”
Language skills for a 4 and 5-year-old
- Answers simple questions
- Asks questions
- Speaks clearly enough that strangers can understand
- Speaks in complete sentences
- Beginning to use adjectives, pronouns, and prepositions
- Can say first and last name
- At 5 should be learning address
Social skills for a 4 and 5-year-old
- Becomes more social, may have a “best friend”
- Starts to play more with the same gender
- Will play cooperatively
- Can be very bossy
- Will take turns and share with some encouragement
- Starts to develop empathy for others
- Not ready for competitive play, hates to lose
- Learning rules of games
- Likes group pretend play, will play “house”
- Likes dramatic play with dolls, puppets, and figurines
Intellectual skills for a 4 and 5-year-old
- Can name at least 4 colors
- Can identify some numbers, letters, and shapes
- Is able to count items
- Can sort items using several characteristics like color, shape, or purpose
- Remembers parts of a story and can tell you what comes next
- Understands same and different
- Can play simple board and card games
- Beginning to understand time
- Starts to understand time
- recognizes name and beginning to write it
- Interest in nature and science and how things work
- Will be curious about their body, will ask about body parts…give the correct names!
- Will be curious about “where babies come from” give small amounts of information at a time until they are satisfied.
- Will be aware that girls and boys look different, may play “doctor”…teach children what is private, that no one touches in the bathing suit zone, and keep conversations open so children feel comfortable asking questions, remember children may ask sexual questions, but they do NOT have sexual feelings at this age! Relax!
Parenting tips
- Read, read, read to your child! Take them to the library and help them develop a love for books and reading.
- Give your child simple chores in the house. Give praise for their help!
- Provide social interaction for your child. This helps them learn the value of friends, cooperative play, empathy, and sharing.
- Be very consistent with discipline. Give expectations of the behavior you expect prior to going anywhere. Follow up with consequences when your child does not follow the expectations. Do not melt down yourself, no emotion, loving discipline. Time out still works!
- Speak to your child in complete sentences using adult words. This will help your child develop good grammar and use correct words and phrases.
- Help your child problem solve step by step.
- Give your child choices each day…clothing, some snacks, books to read etc. This gives a feeling of control and increases cooperation.
- Explore your community with your child; the zoo, museums, parks, nature centers, playgrounds…..build your child’s interests! They are ready!
Important links that will help you:
- “Learn the Signs. Act Early.” Campaign
This campaign educates parents about childhood development, including early warning signs of autism and other developmental disorders, and it encourages developmental screening and intervention. It will give you tips on how to determine if your child needs screening. - Overview of Early Intervention
Learn more about early intervention services from the National Dissemination Center for Children with Disabilities. Find out about your state’s early intervention program and how to access it. - Bright Futures
Bright Futures materials for families are available for parenting tips for children from birth to 21 years of age. This is provided by the American Academy of Pediatrics. - Developmental Surveillance and Screening Guidelines
This American Academy of Pediatrics website provides guidelines on surveillance and screening for developmental delays in children. - National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC)
NAEYC provides accreditation for early childhood programs and preschools that meet certain standards. You can search for an accredited program or preschool near you. NAEYC also provides resources, tools, and information for parents.
Every day is an adventure with your preschooler. So, begin to prepare for the endless questions, pull out the board games, (my least favorite is Candyland, my suggestion is stack the card deck so it doesn’t last forever!), find some dress up clothes and play house, plan some play dates and sit back and watch your child grow! Before you know it, your preschooler will be heading to kindergarten!
Take a breath, enjoy the joyful moments of each day, and remember you don’t have to be perfect to be the perfect parent.
Cindy
Super Friday!
Two of my daughters and I enjoying the activities downtown Indianapolis. Have a “super” Friday!
The weeks fly fast! They really do! We get so busy that one day slides into the next and suddenly a week, month and year are sliding by. There are days as a parent that feel endless, but if you stop for a moment and look at your child you soon realize how much he or she has changed and how quickly.
We went down to the Super Bowl Village in Indianapolis yesterday afternoon and evening. What a wonderful experience. Indianapolis is really shining this week. If you live in the area, take a trip down. There is so much to experience for little or no cost. I saw many young families in the afternoon enjoying the activities with their kids. One of the Moms who attended my groups a few years ago was volunteering! It was so nice to see her and see that she is continuing to do things that she enjoys while being a terrific mom. You can do both! Some of you that are living those first few months of a new baby may not believe me, but life becomes more predictable in a few months! Remember, time flies quickly so enjoy each stage, the wonderful with the challenging.
So, it is Friday! Plan something fun for yourself and your family. Keep it simple, or be a little risky and pack the kids up and experience where you live. If that is Indy, take a trip downtown or to areas around the city with Super Bowl fun! If you do not live around Indy, take a look at local calendars. Parks departments, museums, libraries, all have family activities throughout the year that are free or affordable. Take advantage of where you live! Become active members of your community. It takes a little planning, but enjoying your community is fun and a great way for you to connect with other families.
Even if you aren’t a football fan, plan a little family fun for Sunday. Remember celebrating the small moments makes life so much more fun. I’m rooting for the Giants and am looking forward to a few Super Bowl snacks. TGIF! Enjoy the celebration…Super Bowl and a Super Life!
Take a breath, enjoy the joyful moments of each day, and remember you don’t have to be perfect to be the perfect parent.
Cindy
Websites to help enjoy Indy and the Super Bowl this weekend.
http://kidsparties.about.com/od/religiouscelebrations/a/FootballParty.htm
A family complete……
Our family was completed with #4, our son Connor. Our house was definitely busy with 4 children age 6 and under, but it was wonderful. I had always thought that we would parent a son pretty much like we parented our daughters. We can start the whole nature vs. nurture conversation, but let’s just leave it as ….boys are different!
Who knew that Barbies could be flushed, guns could be made from blocks (in a household where toy guns were forbidden) and two boys wrestling in the backyard were not fighting. I am still learning how to raise a son, and thank goodness for my husband who reminds me often that boys need to be “let go” in different ways than girls. I have gotten more used to one sided conversations, not knowing the details of a date, and watching him take more physical risks than the girls ever did. I also have learned to appreciate the hug and kiss he gives me, the conversation he shares when he is excited, and the time Brad and Connor share as father and son that I will never be a part of, those times are priceless.
Raising several children under one roof is a lesson in parenting flexibility. Same parents, children with different talents and temperaments, same rules of the house, different approaches to discipline, same love and desires for each child, different journey with each.
Now that you know a bit about me and our family, hopefully we can tackle some of the pressing parenting questions that most every parent has. From learning the best way to get your infant to sleep, how to tackle potty training, to how to handle it when your 16 year old pulls out of the drive for the first time. Been there, done that….let’s share the journey.
Take a breath, enjoy the joyful moments of each day, and remember you don’t have to be perfect to be the perfect parent.
Cindy
And then we moved to zone defense……
I was proof that “mommy amnesia” exists when #3 Kaitlyn came along almost 2 years to the day after Kelsey. The memories of a challenging first 3 months with Kelsey became fuzzy quickly, as often memories of challenging parenting moments do. Once again our hearts “expanded” and overflowed with love for our new addition.
Kaitlyn has always been a “pleaser” and often did not stray too far from my leg when she was young. Her first day of school was traumatic for us both as she cried outside her kindergarten classroom door not wanting to venture into the new environment. Using all of my “wonderful” parenting skills, I resorted to “you have to go to school, it is the law!”….great job Mom. I can thankfully say, that my blunder did not damage the wonderful kid she is today, a blossoming college junior on her way to becoming a wonderful elementary education teacher. Hopefully she will be able to prevent another parent from using the wonderful first day of school line I did!
I learned numerous times that even when I knew all the “correct” things to say or do, sometimes it just didn’t happen. Beating yourself up because of parenting mistakes does more harm than good. Loving unconditionally, admitting when you made a mistake and moving on is the best parenting tip I can give.
Take a breath, enjoy the joyful moments of each day, and remember you don’t have to be perfect to be the perfect parent.
Cindy
And then there were TWO!
Introducing #2, Kelsey. Two years after Corri’s arrival, Kelsey entered our life loudly, literally. She was 9 pounds of fussiness. I think Corri and I walked 10 miles a day, because Kelsey liked the movement. My talk about comforting, crying and sleeping that I often give was born from the first 3 months of Kelsey’s life! Yes, you can have a colicky baby, remain sane, and the child can mature into a wonderful adult, I have living proof.
Kelsey was a joy after the first 3 months. She continued to be very active, took everything head on, and loved it all. She is now a nurse and in graduate school finishing her family nurse practitioner.
Kelsey taught us that your heart has room for more love with each child. Each child has their own temperament, and there is good and bad in every temperament. Our job as a parent is to help a child develop the positive parts of their temperament, and handle the negative ones. Sometimes I think we are given children to help us deal with parts of our temperament that need work. Kelsey helped me to not sweat some of the small stuff. Our children are born with certain ingredients in their temperament. As parents our job is to mix and knead and cook with those ingredients in the best way we can. Look at your child’s special ingredients today!
Take a breath, enjoy the joyful moments of each day, and remember you don’t have to be perfect to be the perfect parent.
Cindy
Introducing……
I want you to get to know my children as we journey together.
Introducing my oldest, Corri. I have a special place in my heart for oldest children and only children. What experiments they are! No matter how many books you read before you have a child, you are never prepared for the many emotions and challenges that first child brings. It is hard to explain to a couple BEFORE their child arrives, how much your heart grows to hold the amount of love a parent has for a child.
Corri was the sweetest baby, with a wonderful temperament. I tried to do all the “right” things, because for heaven’s sake I KNEW them. I had a cabinet full of books! Together, my husband Brad, Corri and I grew up. And, in spite of Brad and I she is a successful 25 year old woman who is very creative and in marketing. She is my mentor for this blog!
Corri taught me that as long as you provide a loving environment for your child, all will usually be good. Did I make mistakes? Of course. But looking at Corri, I learned that you don’t have to be perfect to be the perfect parent!
Take a breath, enjoy the joyful moments of each day, and remember you don’t have to be perfect to be the perfect parent.
Cindy
Introducing: Raising kids with LOVE
First and foremost I am a Mom. One of my true passions over the last 12 years has been supporting parents in their journey of raising children. I speak weekly at two local hospitals, Indiana University Health West and Indiana University North and have been a guest speaker at numerous Mom’s groups, preschools, and churches. As a Certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioner who has worked in the pediatric field for 30 years, I certainly have some book knowledge, but just as important, I have had 25 years and counting of raising 4 kids. Parenting is a journey, and I have been on that wonderful journey for many years.
Join me and we will talk about common questions, not so common questions, and share the joys and frustrations of parenthood. Parenting does not have to be difficult, but often it is not like a Hallmark movie! Learning together, laughing together, sharing stories, and discussing the old and new when it comes to being a parent, that is what Raising kids with LOVE hopes to bring you.
Take a breath, enjoy the joyful moments of each day, and remember you don’t have to be perfect to be the perfect parent.
Cindy
raisingkidswithlove 