If you'd like to bring your 16 month old then do....I've read all the negative comments on bringing children on airplanes and although it isn't as relaxing as if you were on your own a little preparation beforehand goes a long way. We just came back from a 6 hour flight with our 13 month old and all went well. Buy a bunch of inexpensive new toys that you introduce during the flight. This keeps them occupied. Even though they are a little young to be doing the crayon thing at this age, my daughter loves the "magna doodle". She will sit and scribble for the longest time. (and you don't get crayons in the mouth, up the nose, etc.) Lots of snacks help as well. Every once in awhile get up and take him for a walk - but make sure he knows that he can only get up when you go with him. Any more suggestions???hmmm....go and have a marvelous time. We gave our little one a dose of gravol before flights (as instructed by our doctor) and this made her a little drowsy so she slept a lot longer than usual which was to everyone's advantage. We are planning our next holiday as we speak, and who knows, it may be Hawaii. We always travel with our little one - just remember to ignore the ignorant comments from some people. We had a women on our flight groan right in our faces when she saw that she was sitting next to us - it was like we were invisible and we weren't supposed to hear her!!!!!

Just mix one of those little airline bottles of vodka with your kid's juice. The kid will pass out and everyone will be a lot happier, including the kid.

You would think by now that all of these "just ignore everyone" parents might possibly clue in that most paying passengers do not want to be trapped in a tube for hours with screaming, squirming babies. If people are making comments or groaning, it's because your insistence on towing your babies on long flights is self-centered and inconsiderate. How many comments or groans (or posts on Fodor's) do you people have to hear before you get it? If you insist on dragging your little children along, then be prepared to receive the same amount of discomfort that you are inflicting on everyone else. Groans and nasty comments are the least of it.

Wow, Geo, whom have you been listening to? The Not-a-Dr. Laura? <BR> <BR>1. Kids who've had some time in daycare exposed to seasonal ailments do better in the long run than those who have been shut up in the house with overprotective parents. No, I didn't allow "others to raise my children," but I did have them in nursery school a couple of mornings a week to get them used to socializing and the various bugs that run around a community. And yes, some kids with low-level allergies have chronic runny noses -- which it's sometimes better to let them grow out of rather than medicate (!) all the time. But those kids will have a special problem on planes. <BR> <BR>2. Docs do NOT NOT NOT get kick-backs from drug companies. (And just FYI, my husband makes less than the local high school principals, who both should make more. Pediatricians are the bottom of the medical ladder financially speaking, esp. when you figure it on a per-hour basis.) Moreover, docs who aren't owners of HMOs hate the HMOs with a serious fury. Kids are suffering needlessly and even dying because of HMOs putting people with 8th-grade education in between docs, nurses, and their patients. They can do that because the politicians are the ones getting kickbacks from the insurance companies, so you lost your right to sue if an HMO hurts your kid. (I've got a child with a chronic illness and I know this as a parent as much as someone related to a health-care giver.) Even worse than this is the nursing shortage, which is directly attributable to the bean-counters who put profit above care every single time. <BR> <BR>The epidemic drug problems are much more closely related to the fact that Americans think alcohol and tobacco are their god-given right to use and abuse and that escape and entertainment is worth paying 100 times more for than education and health. And also relevant is the perpetual adolescence of our culture -- the bellyaching and "I'll do as I please and screw-you" attitudes seen on this thread on both sides are a prime example. <BR> <BR>Sorry, but the ignorance, prejudice and negativity on this thread finally got to me.

As if it's any business whatsoever, and as if it made any difference about the validity of what I posted: <BR> <BR>My kids are grown; we own a 91 Camry; we have a 3 BR house for which mortgage payments wouldn't pay for an efficiency in a big city. I'd love to know what "perks" you think we get; I'm teaching part-time so we pay for the youngest's college. Oh, and my husband has prostatic cancer so the number of nurses he's around is high but not for the reason you think. What an evil-minded, hatefilled person you are.

DocsWife-Calm down! By replying to the above troll's post, you are just fueling the fire. If you ignore him/her, they will go away. I think a lot of people in this country have the mistaken impression doctor's still make tons of money. With managed care that is not the case. I am so sorry to hear about your husband & hope he recovers completely. <BR> <BR>As to the original question-Some kids can handle being on a plane 8 hours and some can not. It depends on your child. Can your child sit still for long periods of time and play quietly or is your child hyperactive? Only you can make that call. Still, 8-10 hours is a long flight. Most resorts do not admit children into their kids programs until they are at least 5. You also need to take the time difference into account. Hawii is 5 hours behind eastern time. What is that going to do to your child's schedule. Is it worth it to disrupt your child's schedule? Will your child be cranky and tired because of it? And, it is going to be impossible to go out later in the evening unless you are taking along someone to babysit. I would be leery of letting babysitting services in hotels take care of my child. <BR> <BR>There are nice beaches and places to go which would be a shorter flight. Have you thought about a cruise? I have heard good things about the Disney ship. All in all, it's your call. You know your child best. <BR> <BR>And, to the rest of you...let it go please. I think Dave has enough advice we do not need to beat this dead horse controversy anymore.

Dave, <BR> <BR>My husband and I took my son to Australia approximately 3 years ago when he was 18 months old. We took a flight from Detroit to Sidney (with a layover in Los Angeles), totaling 15 hours in flight time and he did wonderful. He did just as well on the return flight home which actually was about 20 hours of flight time as we flew from Melbourne, Australia with layovers in New Zealand & Los Angeles. I think our success was due to a couple of factors, he had his own seat, our departure flight to Australia from Los Angeles was at 10:00 p.m., so he slept nearly 10 hours, and having a variety of his favorite snacks and a small supply of new toys & books that I bought special for the flight. Additionally, I had a pair of pajamas to change him into which made him feel more comfortable. Since we had such a good experience with that very long flight, we never hesitated taking him on other long flights (as he has already flown the granddaddy of them all) so at his current age of 5 1/2, my son has not only flown to Australia, but to London, England, Brussels, Belgium, California, Florida, etc. My husband and I felt that it was important that my son learn at a young age how to conduct himself when traveling and we did everything we could to teach him manners so that other travelers aren't disturbed. <BR> <BR>Good luck and enjoy! <BR>

We have traveled with our three children (now 18, 16 and 16) since they were babies with very little difficulty. This thread has taken on a life of its own, but my feeling is that yes, an 8 hour flight is challenging enough for an adult, but doubly so for a small child. Personally, we traveled shorter distances when our children were small because we didn't want to "push our luck". We knew what they were capable of and took that into account. If you are traveling from the east, there are plenty of "Hawaii-type" destinations on that side of the country that would suit your needs, especially if you are taking your child with you. I wouldn't spend all that money to get to the west coast and beyond when you can duplicate the feeling in the east. <BR> <BR>We traveled back from Kona to Seattle last winter with a family of two parents and what appeared to be 3-4 children and their nanny. The nanny was worse than the children, actually, and the parents were absolutely useless. It was impossible to watch the movie because the kids, and the nanny, kept popping up and down, wandering through the aisles, stopping to ask other passengers what they were doing, what they were reading, etc. etc. Some might think that cute, but it isn't always so. The parents didn't have a clue and apparently left it all up to the nanny who appeared to find it funny. My family of five (children included, mind you) were annoyed by this behavior as this family basically took over the entire back 6-7 rows of a DC10. It is not always the children that disturb the other passengers, people. While I agree with previous posters that indicate you should be able to travel with your children, I believe you, and only you, are responsible for their behavior. Children learn from their parents, and if the parents misbehave, so do the children. <BR> <BR>If you want to travel with your children, simply remember that we can't expect children to respond and behave as adults in every situation. If you are uncomfortable sitting in a plane for 8+ hours, they will be more so because their attention span is naturally shorter. Yes, a lot of good games, books, toys, will help, but unless they end up sleeping a good deal of the time, even the best games, books and toys have to be pretty darn interesting to keep a child's interest for 8 or more hours.

Vicki -- or should we call you "Ms. No It All, or even better "Easily Annoyed", <BR> <BR>When Dave (that's the person who started this thread 102 posts ago) asked for feedback, he stated that it's a free trip...quit giving someone advise, especially on how they should spend their money, when you can't even comprehend what their asking! Try reading the post before responding next time. <BR> <BR>Another thing, sounds like your children inherited your "easily annoyed" trait. Children do learn from their parents is right!

Great, I haven't gotten in on one of these child threads in a while. I hope you got some good information. I can only tell you that only you know your child. Some just don't understand that all children, just as all adults, are different. I don't think my two-year old would do well on a plane, but she is incredibly active and wouldn't won't to sit still that long. However, her cousin (who is also too) is very calm most of the time. It is certainly understandable that you wouldn't want to pass up a free trip and profoundly sad that your post drew over 100 responses. Have a great trip either way.

i think it is a long trip for a child that age..as everyone else has said! <BR>dont forget there will also be a big time difference..once you get there and the baby gets on "maui-time" it will probably be time to go home and then you'll have to go throught the "time-thing" all over again at home!..you will all be tired and not be able to enjoy the beauty of maui..i strongly suggest that you get a sitter!the baby and you will be much happier!

Donna, <BR> <BR>Read the entire thread..not everyone else said! <BR> <BR>Some adults have a hard time adjusting to time difference and some children don't vis-a-versa. Everyone (young or old) is different. <BR> <BR>Tell me why do you think one would not enjoy the beauty of Maui with their child. I've been trying to conceive a child for three years now. If and when I do have a child, no matter what age, I will enjoy EVERYTHING, including vacations with he/she. Please don't downplay children. No one knows what someone would enjoy or only wish for.

Does anyone else think Dave received ENOUGH advise yet? Reading the last post, I realized no one could really give Dave any answers. It's such a personal decision when it comes to parents/children. <BR> <BR>Dave, if you are still reading, what have you decided to do? Just curious. Maybe it'll put an end to this discussion.

Guess I've learned to keep my mouth shut. No wonder I don't post often, but I do learn much from these forums.

Haven't some of you figured out that this was a troll post? <BR>"Dave" isn't taking your advice, so don't bother asking. <BR> <BR>And Vicki, your opinion here is at least as valid as anyone else's, much moreso than many. <BR> <BR>And please "not_everyone_else", try not to wear your feelings so obviously on your sleeve. I hope you do have the child/children you long for, but please remember that life goes on, children grow up into adults, and we still all must 'get along'. One of the WORST trends in parenting today is toward making children the center of the universe instead of helping them learn to grow into and become a meaningful part of the world around them. Molding self esteem is not best accomplished by child-deification.

Mary-AMEN! <BR> <BR> <BR>Elvis has the left the building...on to something else, please!

We have flown several times to Israel from Miami with 10 month old and the nagain with a 3 yr old and a 1 yr old. <BR>Get bulk head seating, bring benadryl... ( i hope the pediatrician is not reading, ) lots of toys (new interesting toys, never been seen toys) and bring a good attitude, The child will get cranky, and you'll get tired, and the people around you will get upset. I say F- them if they can't take a joke. This is life.

I have flown almost every 2 months internationally with my child, who is now 32 months old. His longest trip has been to 21 hours (from Singapore to London return). The average trip is 6-7 hours <BR> <BR>As an indication as to how comfortable it has been, I am taking him, and his 4 month old brother, from Singapore to New York later this month. <BR> <BR>Tips to keep a toddler entertained - <BR>1) a portable DVD player and his favourite DVDs <BR>2) a "bag of tricks" - cheap but interesting NEW toys that he hasn't seen before <BR>3) favourite snacks, and special ones that he isn't allowed often , like Pez and potato crisps <BR>4) try and fly business class - there is more room, and toddler can stretch his legs on the stairs <BR> <BR>I would be wary about the Sudafed that someone recommended. This is actually a STIMULANT and may make your kid hyperactive and restless. Giving my kid a candy at take off and as the descent starts (you will feel it) has meant my kid hasn't had any Eustachian tube problems in all his flight. <BR> <BR>The only DON'T I would add is - DON'T fly with a sick child. <BR> <BR>have fun <BR>

Business class is for business people trying to get some work done, not for sreaming brats!

Business class is for whoever can afford it, not just coddled expense-accounters to get sloshed in and order attendants around like slaves. Brattiness comes in all ages. Go "sream" on some other forum.