Traveling with a 6 yr old
 

In September of 2001, we will be flying from Ohio to Hawaii with our six-year old son (at that time, he will be close to seven). Any tips for handling the long plane trip and keeping him occupied/entertained?

Get him physically tired before the flight -- walk around the terminal (run around outside if the airport has safe sidewalks), etc., if you can. <BR> <BR>Buy the following new, just for the trip and don't give them to him until either boarding or the announcement of a delay of an hour or more (remember to save half for the return trip): <BR> <BR>Hand-held games -- they don't have to be expensive. Books on tape with walkman. A deck of cards to teach him solitaire or get UNO, a perfect game for his age -- but you have to play with him. Low-level puzzle books (mazes, connect-the-dots, etc.) Favorite treats to dole out between meal services. <BR> <BR>If he can read a little, it might be time for Dr. Seuss or even some simple comic books. But better, be willing to read to him (Harry Potter is great for both of you) for at least a little while -- use that as a bribe ("if you don't kick the seat and don't fidget, I'll read you Harry Potter after lunch"). Don't worry about bothering others around you -- you'll probably find some listening in. <BR> <BR>You might both benefit from some in-seat isometrics to cut down on the fidgets ("point your toes, hard-hard-hard. Now bend your feet up and stretch your heels down toward the floor, hard-hard-hard. Now scrunch up your face, tight-tight. Now shake out your wrists..... Bend your head to the right...." etc.) <BR> <BR>You'll probably be astounded at how well he does. Have a great trip.

<BR>Why oh why do we ask the same questions over and over again about kids and flying??? It incites a flurry of answers every time. <BR>Cass: <BR>Maybe I don't care to hear Harry Potter read out loud for 14 hours?

<BR> <BR>If he's an avid video game player, Cass' idea above might be enough, along with the card games. You might, a month or so before the flight, want to telephone the airline and ask for a bulkhead seat--gives all of you more room. See if you can get him a window seat while you're at it; he might better enjoy the scenic over-land portion of the flight.

Dear HereWeGo-- <BR> <BR>Try not to fly to Hawaii from Ohio in September 2001.

Having just endured a long plane ride near several screaming, loud, illbehaved children, have some consideration and do not assume everybody in the world is interested in hearing you read to your child. They are not, and it is selfish for people to think so--the attitude expressed above, "don't worry about bothering others" says it all--people are so rude and self-centered. A plane is a public place and you don't have the right to act like it's your personal living room and that you can do whatever you want without a single thought as to whether you are bothering others. Reading aloud is just as obnoxious as if an adult sitting next to you decided to read his book or magazine aloud. Some tapes or games that do not create noise sound fine.

<BR> <BR>Marina: <BR> <BR>I think I'd much prefer hearing a mother read to her child than any of the following too-often-heard occurrances: <BR> <BR>1. Two arrogant, "successful," professionals discussing anything--from stock market results to career moves. <BR>2. Male passenger pathetically flirting with a flight attendant, or, worse, with an adjacent female passenger. <BR>3. Two passengers loudly opining about politics. <BR>4. An announcement that the aircraft miraculously has reached its cruising altitude and that in three minutes will be passing over the southern edge of the a harvested corn field and just north of the boyhood home of Horace Greeley. <BR>5. Uproarious laughter just after three tourist/passengers have finished their fifth overpriced cocktail. <BR>6. "SIR: PUT UP YOUR SEATBACK!" <BR> <BR>Get a grip. <BR>

I'm not crazy about screaming, ill-behaved children either. But it's unreasonable to expect a child, or an adult for that matter, to sit on such a long flight without getting the fidgets. A child is entitled to be part of the human race. I've been flying since I was six years old. I remember always having a shopping bag of books, cards, etc. to help pass the time. It can be done, and it doesn't have to be overly disruptive to other passengers - that's up to the parents!

More spoiled brats masquerading as indignant adult passengers, jumping all over the whole issue of children traveling. Another example of the epidemic of hypocrisy in which the accusers are more guilty of the crime than the accused. Self-centered, Marina? You provide an excellent example. <BR> <BR>Cass never suggested that Stephanie read for an entire 14 hr. trip (they won't even be in the air that long). And anyone who regularly reads to their children knows that one can rarely read for as much as 1/2 hr. without tiring or getting dry-throated. Frankly, I agree with Allen, having actually heard a mother reading to a child sitting behind me -- the child stopped kicking my seat and the mother's voice was very pleasant -- it put me pleasantly to sleep. I'll take that anytime over "jeez, I got so wasted on Saturday," or "so then Stacy goes, she goes -- I couldn't believe it -- Stacy goes, EEEEeeuw, as IF! How ROOOD!" <BR>

I enjoy reading every message posted here. It represents the honest feeling of writers with respect to child traveling. In particular, Marina reminds me that perhaps not everyone on the plane appreciates and support child travel. Most importantly, none of your valuable opinions can be found in any travel books. Of course, I'll read books and tourist brochures to my sons in my coming trip, and I hope my sons won't mind their father's voice. <BR> <BR>Armstrong

Hi: <BR>Can anyone tell me more about those hand-held games i.e GAMEBOY--the last transatlantic flight I was on two little boys sitting across from me were told they could not use them. They were disappointed as were their parents. The flight attendants let them use them only while we were on the ground. Upon take-off they had to be turned off and left off. 8-10 year old boys are tough to keep occupied in general..now with no GAMEBOY they were especially bored. Can someone enlighten me?

I think reading to kids on planes is fine, but as with anything, you have to keep your voice down. <BR> <BR>But I have to object to those game boy things. On a recent flight, a 10-year old boy had one and the thing pinged and ponged for what seemed like an eternity. It drove me completely wild. Kind of like fingernails on a blackboard. I didn't want to be a witch, so I kept quiet, but I think bringing a deck of cards or mini-board game is a far better solution.

<BR>AC: <BR> <BR>Are you sure about that? I think the games are off on the ground, okay in the air--just like laptops. Cindy: the games have a mute button; too bad the kid's parent didn't make him use it. I think anyone under thirteen is oblivious to the sounds, especially while they are playing the game. Still, it's a guaranteed time-killer for a kid.

kids should be ban from flights of 2hrs or longer but should really be driven to vacation points,if you can't drive there than go without them or wait til they are grown. kids should be seen & not heard but preferably not even seen on an airplane.

Another literate, reasoned contribution to the discussion.

Finally, someone had the guts to suggest that kids should be banned from long flights. Good grief, why do today's parents feel so compelled to make sure that their children learn about other places and people? I mean, so what if kids who travel learn about their world and cultures other than their own? Geez, they might grow up to responsible, contributing citizens. By God, what's important is that every airline passenger have nothing less than a pleasant flight without the obnoxious background noise of some inconsiderate mother reading Mother Goose. Give me the loud, demanding, space-hogging adult passenger over a child any day. Who knows, once we're successful getting kids banned from all flights, then maybe we can make it mandatory for anyone 65 or older to check into the local nursing home; then we'll conquer all those whiners <BR>who complain about second-hand smoke; and maybe, just maybe, if we're really on a roll, we'll get public education banned and save tax payers a bundle.

Hey "Kids" - <BR> <BR>Way to go--you hit that one out of the park!

Hi: <BR>The hand held games that these two boys had been using on the ground went away for the duration of the flight. I was sitting next to two really disappointed kids and parents who were just as disappointed. Yet there was a young woman next to me using a lap top computer to play games. I was really confused and felt bad for these young fellows.

To kids ([email protected]), <BR> <BR>I find your comment regretable. Just imagine if you were allowed to return to your early childhood now, would it have been far better off if your parents took you to Boston, Monterey, San Jose, Washington DC, Grand Canyon, Miami, London, Montreal,...etc? Whether the travel would enhance your life, you decide. <BR> <BR>Instead of total banning, you should be honest and frank with those ill-behaved children's parents by telling them your feeling. Before detroying the children's freedom to explore the world, have you exercised your own human right to exchange your own discontent with the children in question? <BR> <BR>Thanks for your very kind understanding. <BR> <BR>Armstrong <BR>

Armstrong- <BR> <BR>Read kid's comment again. He or she was making a statement about the ridiculousness of banning children from flight; not advocating in favor of it.

Armstrong: <BR>Please read Kids post all the way through again! <BR>I think you missed the real meaning of what Kids was trying to say!

In Armstrong's defense, it's not always easy to determine whether someone here is being ironic or idiotic.

In kids'case, it's irony meets the idiot.

I too, would Much prefer listening to a child being read to, or conversing, learning, etc. than, as Allen so eloquently put it, some "lesser" forms of punishment/life threatening noises... <BR> <BR>What a responsible question for a young mother to ask. (thereby avoiding the "screaming child" line of thought...) <BR> <BR>Good luck!

oh yea... <BR> <BR>as a child, traveling by car, my parents would always give us some little present (like a tiny game, book, etc...) at each state border we crossed... (and of course, the honking and looking-at-the-state-sign tradition!) We also played license games, shot peace signs, etc...(lol) <BR> <BR>(frankly, listening to those hand-held games absolutely drives me crazy on a flight...) Why not make it an adventure and a time of bonding. <BR> <BR>ok. that's all <BR> <BR>(and this coming from a non-mom...)

Stephanie- <BR>I don't know if your son has flown before, but to be sure that his ears don't bother him, you might think about giving him a dose of Benadryl. My kids have trouble with the pressure when we take off and land and this helps. It will also make him drowsy and a long nap might help him adjust to the time change. <BR> <BR>My kids love the activity books with the dot-to-dots, color by number, mazes etc. Keeps them busy for hours! <BR> <BR>And I just have to add I that "kid" did a pretty good job defining the logic of those here who are so opposed to children on planes.

Wife and I took our 6 yr. old to Hawaii this summer and thought my 6 yr.s old did as well or better than my wife (she agrees). We flew from KC-Houston-Hawii so it would be pretty comparable to your own itinerary. I recommend the following: It's a long flight (for everyone) but you'll do fine! Best advice I can give is rent the movie headsets and make sure you have isle seat(s)!!

up again

Stephanie, I applaud your foresight in preparation for the upcoming trip. To the other posters, bratty children can be ALMOST as annoying as business travelers who think they have to impress the rest of us with their knowledge or activities. The rule of thumb in long distance traveling in a confined space is CONSIDERATION and ACOMMODATION for your fellow travelers. <BR> <BR>Like the child who was quietly playing his Game Boy - I'm sure he was so used to hearing the noise, it never dawned on him to hit the mute button. A gentle question from the seat mate should be enough. A parent travelling with a child should be able to read quietly. If you're too fat to comfortably fit within one seat, the same rule applies. Purchase the adjacent seat so you have enough room without encroaching upon someone else's space. If you must talk across the aisle to other passengers, please keep the volume down so that the person in front of you can sleep. Parents traveling with children should come prepared with appropriate medications and amusements for the children.

Why would anyone assume that a 6 year old would be obnoxious on a flight? We just flew to London with my 6.5 year old and she behaved better than many of the adults on the plane. She really enjoyed reading to herself, writing and drawing in her journal, coloring, listening to her discman and playing cards. This is an extremely active energetic child who has excellent manners and is very well behaved. Not all children scream endlessly on flights.

Missy, the suspense is killing me!! Please start a separate post with your 6.5-year-old's journal. <BR>

I only read a couple of responses, but why so negative? I had to fly from the west coast to Italy with my three daughters, ages 6 mos, 3 and 5. It wasn't easy - but I had no choice. And 6 months later I had to go back. You should've seen the floor around us. So traveling with 1 6-year-old sounds okay to me. My suggestions: Try to break the trip into hourly sections. Make sure you have a variety of snacks on hand. A walkman or discman with some new or favorite tapes/books (I check them out at the library). Reading out loud doesn't work too well because not everyone wants to hear the story. Activity books (dot to dot, puzzles or color by number) are fun if he likes to do that. By him a few new things that he hasn't seen until you get on the plane. They don't have to be expensive. If you want some more advice, I'd be happy to give it more thought! Have fun.

I have traveled on numerous trips to Hawaii with our son from the time he was 7 mths old (about a 6 hr flight for us). I agree with the new toys plan.. he can't wait to take off, which is when he gets to open the wrapped presents in the backpack. He is occupied for hours and I have to pry him loose from the new toys to get him to eat lunch. Another tip: check to see what the children's meal will be, if it is something he will like, order it. It will also have some kid friendly snacks. Bring your own snacks and drinks as well, of course. Gameboys are great for long trips, and yes, we use the mute button so no one else gets annoyed by those horrid sounds they make. If we are taking a long trip. You have to turn them off for take off and landing, but that's it - that flight attendant mentioned in a previous post was mis-informed. I always pack a new game in the backpack. I also don't let him play the gameboy at all for several days before the trip. He can't wait to get to it! -- especially since gameboy time is quite limited normally. He also loves the word games books and math workbooks. Personal cassette or disc players are also great as long as he doesn't start singing along with it (generally at 2x volume since they have the headset on).We have gone cross country and to Europe as well (11 hr flight) and he did better than me on that one, I thought I'd go crazy on the way home -- it seems like 50 hrs to me! The only problems while travelling that I have experienced where my child probably disturbed others was once on a cross country flight (at age 3)where he fell ill about 10 min after we took off -- he quickly developed a fever of 102 and was cranky and irritable. Fortunately, we had Tylenol with us and it brought the fever down and he fell asleep for most of the rest of the flight, but the first hour was a killer for him, us and the people in front of us, unfortunately. The 2nd time, as we descended from a short flight, his ears got plugged and he shrieked in pain for the entire descent.He had no cold at the time so I was quite surprised that this happened. After that I started using Benedryl or something similar before a flight until he outgrew the ear ache suseptability. He was 3 or 4 and so panicked by the pain, he refused to try to drink or eat anything that might have relieved the pressure. The people around us were quite understanding and could tell he was in pain and not being a brat. As soon as we landed and the plane's pressure normalized, he was fine. The pilot came out and gave him a pack of cookies when we left and told him he was sorry about the pain in his ears. Your child will love Hawaii, it is a great place for a family vacation.

I usually pack a goodie bag with something for about every hour of the flight. It doesn’t have to be expensive. A pad of paper. A comic book. A new pack of baseball cards. It helps to have a walkman or a gameboy. It’s hard enough for adults to be sitting for hours. But kids kept occupied should be okay. The movie/shorts takes away 2 hours. We also do a lot of red-eye flights and the kids fall asleep soon enough. Good luck.