travel day

Traveling with kids can be terrifying. And once you've had a flight with your child where your worst fears are confirmed, you'll do everything you can to avoid 5+ hours of screaming in the future. 

Tomorrow I'll be flying with an 18 month old and a 3 and a half year old. By myself.

Here are some of my best strategies:

• no big/fancy or expensive strollers- our MacLaren Triumph is a lifesaver going through security - check it at the gate
• small wrapped gifts (cheap, dollar store/drug store finds) to be presented whenever things get a little stressy.
• kids under 12 flying domestically do not need to take their shoes off. unfortunately, both of my kids insisted on doing so anyway.
• stickers, stickers and more stickers. Sticker Dolly Dressing books are expensive, but keep my older daughter occupied for an eternity!
• snacks: nothing to sugar-y or messy. animal crackers, cheese sticks, pretzels
• lollypops: okay- ignore the sugary-messy rule above, but save these for those last 15 minutes when electronic devices are off, tray-tables are up, ears are popping. perfect for kids too old for bottles but too young to chew gum. as my daughter announced to everyone on the plane "MY VOICE JUST GOT REALLY QUIET. (telling them to stretch their jaw like they're yawning also helps with ear pressure).
• take your time going through security, finding your seat, etc. better to be a bit of a slowpoke than to risk misplacing your wallet/boarding pass/passport/ipad etc.

What are some of your travel-with-kids secrets?