Mod Mum: flying with babies...the aftermath

As you already know, I have just returned from a two week vacation in Ireland. Before we left Boston, I was so stressed out about managing the kids on-board the plane. The thing is that the kids really were no problem, its a shame the same cannot be said for some of our fellow travelers .

As we were waiting in line to check in at Logan airport in Boston, a group of middle aged Irish women were checking in just ahead of us. To my horror, one of them turned and said out loud to the girl at the desk, 'can you make sure we are seated as far away as possible from that lot with the baby '. As luck may have it, we were seated right behind her and 'the baby 'slept the entire journey, but she got drunk and abused the cabin staff and annoyed everyone close to her with her loud Dublin accent and her dirty jokes.

I know I have been guilty in the past of secretly hoping that I was not seated close to any kids who like to play with their table-tops or scream the whole way, but I was really shocked at the dirty looks we received when we rolled up to board with baby-in-tow. We felt like plague victims.

Luckily, we had two hassle-free flights and made it to the other side unscathed.

So tips .......

as for the two older boys the good old in-flight entertainment sorted them out, and they merrily munched on pretzels and sipped from mini-cans of sprite the whole way,

and the baby.....

one word.......drugs !

We found that administering two good spoonfuls of calpol ( baby aspirin) before boarding helped to prevent sore ears, and helped him sleep. On the return flight once he woke, plenty of snacks, crayons, and thanks to the friendly giant behind us ( he was at least 7 foot) who happily smiled and pulled faces at him, every time he peered over the seats it all went rather well. We lapped up the praises of the cabin- crew, kind fellow travelers, and felt like champion parents until the 8 yr old declared on the way home that Family Guy is his new favourite cartoon......oops.

Last tip, keep all eyes on all kids at all times. What are the odds that part of the trip will be top of the list of things he did on his vacation when he gives teacher the run-down in school tomorrow?

Worried about an up and coming trip with babies ? This article has some fantastic advice, great tips and even better links.