Two- and Three-Year-Olds

I'm supposed to fly with a toddler and infant to Germany to join my husband who has just joined the army. This is his first post so we couldn't go together to the post.

This is the third child under five who has been kicked off a plane for being unruly and I'm terrified. Every time my child acts out, I literally have visions of a flight attendant approaching us, asking us to leave.

I wish I knew what kind of discipline I am expected to use on the plane. On the one hand, screaming and spanking seem both wrong and unruly in and of themselves. On the other hand, time-outs are impossible, threats unenforceable, and anything else looks wishy-washy, like I'm not respecting the other passengers.

This whole thing worries me. I can't believe people think we would fly with toddlers if we had ANY other choice! I have literally broken down into tears every day. As if it weren't stressful enough to have to fly with two kids- now I have to think that they have to be perfect until at least halfway over the Atlantic ocean.

Maybe the airlines are right. Maybe I suck at parenting, my kids are awful, and none of us have a right to be on the plane. But I see people using every discipline method and drug in the book, from spanking to lithium to screaming to time-outs, and their three-year-olds still pitch fits.

I'm just at a loss. I haven't been to these boards in ages but I actually came to post about this very issue, to ask what can I do??? We were on planes recently and things went well, thankfully.

If they don't, I don't think the army will buy us new tickets, though. I am seriously considering asking them to send us on a boat.

I feel your pain. I have three kids under three and we travel by plane once or twice a year and make a cross-country trek with kids (28 hours of driving) to see my family. It is survivable, but not fun...

Quick tips:
* Load your baggage at the gate, bring as little on the plane as possible, well besides a change of clothes and entertainment for the kids.
* individual snack bags and mixes - these entertained my kids for hours
* little gifts, not as rewards but to break the monotony. I was tempted to say, "you won't get this if you do not behave". They need the gift sometimes to break the cycle of boredum/acting out.
* Tell the person at the counter when you check in that you have young children, sometimes they will give you your own row if there are open seats on the plane.

and last!!! practice at home. One week before we go, we practice sitting still and quietly, for an hour at a time, each day. Our plane trips are always a lot longer, but at least this helps train my "tigger-butt" boy how to sit still when necessary (and yes, it is a form of torture!).

Here is a great list of car-trip activities that I have also used to entertain kids in airplanes. I hope you and your hubby are reunited soon!

http://quirkymomma.com/2009/tips-for-road-trips-with-toddlerspre-schoolers/

Thank you Karen (Singingclaypearl) for my totally awesome siggy!