Air travel with Children
Do you remember the first time you flew with your children? My first time was when my kids were 7 and almost 10. They did really well considering the fact that it was their first flight, but our flight on the way home didn’t go quite as smoothly. My poor son’s ears hurt so badly that he was crying under his blankie. I wasn’t prepared.
I was recently introduced to this great book for parents who will be traveling by airplane with their children soon. It may be your child’s first flight, or it may just be their first flight where they aren’t a baby or toddler. Airplane travel with children can go much more smoothly if you and your child are prepared.
Super Flyers: A Parent Guidebook for Airplane Travel with Children
Super Flyers: A Parent Guidebook for Airplane Travel with Children is a new pocket size book by Dr. Lori Baudino, a licensed clinical psychologist. This guidebook shows parents how airplane travel with children can be as exciting as ever. They need support to handle moments of upset, the judgments from other passengers, and guidance to enjoy what can be an incredible family experience. The tools in the book can be used both in the air and on the ground. After all, parenting is a journey, and so is preparing for flying with your children.
Each chapter of Super Flyers focuses on a different aspect the flight from preparation to exiting the plane.
Sample chapter topics
A.H.H. Preparing for the flight
The steps for preparing for the flight, allowing the 24 hours before a flight to be stress free. The Aim, Humor, and Happiness needed for preparation. Using A.H.H. provides insight into parenting with ease for every transition with children.
Carry On C.A.N. Dos
This chapter describes the collaboration, accessibility, and necessities needed for packing the perfect carry-on. Having this clutter free parenting style allows for families to only use what is most useful and provides support for the parent/child challenges promoting connection on the ground.
Take-off to Landing. P.L.E.A.S.E enjoy the flight
This chapter is all about what happens during the flight. Dr. Baudino offers strategies for relieving ear pressure, lengthen (for moving the body), eat (mealtime), attach (setting up playtime), soothe (sleeping), and excuse (toileting). Learning these must have tools for successful parenting interactions will set the reader for travel in the air and on the ground throughout life.
Dr. Lori Baudino
Lori M. Baudino, PsyD, BC-DMT is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist and Board Certified Dance Movement Therapist. She works extensively in private practice specializing with children and parents. Dr. Baudino brought the first Dance/Movement Therapy programs funded by The Andrea Rizzo Foundation to Children’s Hospital Los Angeles (CHLA) and UCLA Mattel Children’s Hospital Los Angeles providing therapy to children with cancer, terminal illness and special needs.
Dr. Baudino is a parent of two children under seven years of age and a continued advocate for best practices for parent connection and for children as competent and capable learners. Dr. Baudino has presented and collaborated on parenting seminars and conferences throughout California. She has also traveled extensively and volunteered therapeutic support to communities across the globe.
You can find Dr. Lori Baudino on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube Channels. For over 9 years she has worked with two top hospitals in the Los Angeles area, Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, and Mattel UCLA Children’s’ Hospital. She provides clinical therapy within her west Los Angeles Private Practice.
Dr. Baudino is a member of the American Dance Therapy Association, GAINS psychotherapy network, Psychology Today, The California Psychology Association and the American Psychology Association. She has been recognized for The Marian Chace Award and Exceptional Service award by the ADTA. She has published articles for Special Education Advisor and The American Dance Therapy Journal and is identified as an expert BC-DMT on the Dr. Drew Celebrity Rehab & Interview show “On Being,” ABC News, People Magazine, Huffington Post, CCN, and identified parent blogs.
Dr. Baudino is the West Coast Lead/Clinical Spokesperson for the non-profit Andrea Rizzo Foundation. Dr. Baudino presents seminars/in-services often throughout California, Seattle, and internationally. You can find her presenting parenting workshops at public and private schools and at varying community events (such as UCLA Undergraduate Dance Department; UCLA Arts & Healing; UCLA Brain Tumor Conference; Charter Schools; Private Schools).
Watch more about her dance movement therapy
She has specialized in supervising, facilitating and providing treatment for children with special needs and their families. She has worked in psychiatric hospitals and at rehabilitation centers for trauma, addiction and pain management. She worked as the coordinator for Behavior Intervention Programs within the home/school setting.
Dr. Baudino runs group therapy sessions at Paradigm Malibu Adolescent Treatment Center.
In her private practice, she works with children of all ages and their families, and she provides an inviting, tranquil setting to conduct the sessions.
What are your tips for flying with children? Have you had a memorable flight while with children, your own or others?
My only tip for flying kids is to bring lots of snacks. Hungry kids are cranky kids!! We go to Disney every summer, so I know exactly what to bring when we do fly!
Good tip! I get cranky when I’m hungry too lol!
My son was 18 months the first time he flew with me. He’s in his 30’s now! I remember being nervous, but he didn’t cry or anything. I recommend having lots of snacks and activities to keep the kids occupied during the flight. Once, my husband and I were on a plane and there was a young mom sitting in front of us. Her child (about 9 months old) started crying and wouldn’t stop. I could tell it was making her really nervous and other people were getting irritated and I don’t think she spoke English. My husband asked her if she wanted us to hold him for a while and she was so relieved. My husband walked the child up and down the aisle until he fell asleep. At the end of the flight, people were telling my husband that he was their hero and that young mom was so relieved. 🙂
That is such a sweet story! As a mom, it drives me nuts when other passengers get upset by a baby being a baby! The poor things can’t tell you what is wrong. Your husband was a hero for sure!
Great tips! My son loves to travel. He’s been traveling his whole life. The more you do it the easier it gets!
That is awesome! Good travelers make it easier on you for sure!
I can imagine flying with children is a whole different world and you have to try and make sure that you are extra prepared for those moments that are bound to happen of being board.
Yes, for sure! It is always good to have toys for them.
My tip for flying with children is NOT let them have a noisy toy or a computer which makes sounds and not use headphones. LOL> Lots of colouring books and snacks are needed 😛
LOL I agree! The same goes for adults with noisy toys…or no filter in their conversations!!
We travel a lot with my granddaughter who is only one. We are planning to go out of the country with her (and her parents) in the future, so this book would be helpful.
Yes, I am sure it would help a lot!
I don’t have kids but I travel/fly often (on average I take about ten flights a year) and I have definitely had quite a bit of interesting experiences with children on fights. I’ve found that kids do well on late/red eye flights because it’s normally their bedtime so they often sleep the entire flight.
That is a good tip! I’m sure it helps when they sleep the whole time.
A tip for flying with kids is to always pack snacks and bring new toys. I’d pick some up from the dollar spot at Target. I also had a portable DVD player.
That is a great idea about the new toys! Kids are fascinated by new stuff!
We havent flown with the kids yet but we’d like to make a trip soon. These are fabulous tips for making it a success.
Yes, I wish I’d had it for our first flight!
Travelling with kids can be quite the experience. I don’t have kids yet but I know the struggles that parents face.
It definitely helps to be prepared!
I know there are some unpredictable problems that may happen when traveling with kids. Thanks for sharing your insights.
There definitely can be problems!
I guess the more frequent they are exposed to flying, the lesser they feel anxious about it the first time I flew with my kids, I made sure they had lots of activity sheets with them. And snacks too.
Snacks are always helpful and something to color!
We fly a lot with our kids. Our older daughter had been on 27 fights by the time she was two. I have experienced all sorts of flying with kids crazy.
That is awesome that you fly a lot. I’m sure it can get crazy though because it’s not new to them anymore lol.
My children was 1 and 2 years old when we flew overseas, they were so good. I always bring coloring book and small board game for us to do while on flight or in the airport.
Coloring books are always a great thing for long trips!
The first time my oldest flew he was only 6 months. He did well and he has flown several times since then. He doesn’t exactly enjoy flying though.
My five-year-old is flying for the first time in a couple of weeks. I need to get this book ASAP
Definitely! Keep the tips in mind. I wish I’d had this book before flying with mine!
My Son loves to travel with me. The best tip I have is to make sure you tell the kids what to expect. Going on a plane will seem less scary if they know what to expect.
That is definitely great advice!
I remember my first time I flew with my oldest son I was worried but he was such a good boy on the flight.
That’s great!
Grea tips. My sisters can make use of this info for their little ones.