travel with two

preschoolers ..... they were 3 and 4 at the time (this summer) and they did really well on the plane... They didnt cry, one did get sick but we just entertained them as well as we could and hoped for the best. we didnt benadryl them on the plane but we did at night for sleeping because they were SO anxious and cried and screamed every night for a couple of hours (we found out later that the people at the orphanage told them if they were good that a car would come get them and then they'd get to ride in a plane etc and they thought the plane wasnt coming!!!! how would we have ever figured that out without an interpreter???? :)) they found great fascination in the magazines in the seatbacks etc... in the ear buds for hearing the movies etc. We brought them each small packs with little suprises in them but we really didnt need them. alli ps we "divided and conquered"... my husband sat on the side of the airplane with two seats and he sat on the aisle... i sat across from him on the aisle and put the 3 year old on the other side of me to separate the kids a little bit...... that worked well for us... better than all four of us being in one row of seats...

I can't offer any advice about the children (we're still waiting for the referral) but I'd suggest Bonanine for the airsickness. I get motion sickness too and I've found it works well --very quickly.

We adopted 2 boys from St. Petersburg last summer. The flight home was the longest day of my life! The boys were 9 months and 21 months and did really well. We were really lucky to be able to use skymiles in business class. They provided bassinets that hooked into the was in front of us. My biggest piece of advice is to go to Walmart and buy 2 cheap strollers. We bought 2 that folded in half verses long ways. We were able to pack them in a large suitcase on the way over and the airline would let us check them at the gate on the way back. Good luck!

We flew coach on Delta and requested seats in the bulkhead row (the row that typically separates business and coach, and got them. We also got a bassinet. Plus the extra footroom this row provides, allowed SKip (19 months at the time) to play on the floor in front of us. An alternative to a conventional umbrella stroller, is a backpack stroller. Intended primarily for hiking, they are extremely lightweight, and my husband used it both ways. Skip loved being hign on his Poppa's back and when we needed the stroller, we just converted it. It converts in a minute and is really easy to use. Judy

My suggestion is first to ask your doctor for a motion sickness prescription--it is available and stronger than over the counter. That should take care of that (hopefully!). Maybe a child's dosage in advance in case they turn out to be airsick too. As for the trip, I did 3 planes without my husband in April with 2 children under 3 and I can tell you this: it was a LONG DAY. I'd suggest preparing yourself for a lot of crying and screaming. If they don't do that--great--it was easier than you expected. If they DO do that--ok, well, you knew it was coming. And it's only a day. My kids slept for a total of 1 hour during the 14 hours of flying and plane changes but I was mentally prepared and just shrugged my shoulders about it. I figured too bad for anyone who didn't like it, b/c hey, there was nothing I could do so I wasn't going to get worked up about it. One thing I found was that people were really sympathetic and helped me out a lot (at one point I had this cute old lady across the aisle with one of my daughters on her lap, reading her a book!). My 2 cents on the benydryl is not to do that. I know people do, but is drugging your kids when they're not sick really the right thing to do? I don't think so. Also, as with any medication, they could turn out to be allergic to it. Cases of serious illness and death (though rare) have occured w/benydryl. Do you want to take that chance when they're not even sick? And do you want to start teaching them that the easy way out is the way to go? As you can tell, I'm strongly opposed. I'd rather have a long day (and let them have a long day) than drug my kids. If they are sick (like motion sickness, then fine. You're treating something. But to just misuse something to get them to sleep?!)OK, I"m getting off my soapbox now! It will probably be a long day, but the good news is--they'll be wiped out when they get home and you can all get some rest!

Any suggestions for fear of flying? Babs

Hi Babs, I'm afraid of flying too. I've flown multiple times every year since I was born and I'm now 36 years old, and I'm still afraid of flying. I understand how safe it is statistically and all that, but the fear is, unfounded or not, still there. So I for one can't tell you how to get over it, but I can tell you that when I'm flying with my kids I'm less scared because I'm just so busy trying to sit one down, feed another, take one to the bathroom, apologize to the woman who just had a crayon thrown at her, thank the guy who picked up the bottle rolling down the aisle...you get the picture. I'm not over it, but it's not as bad when my kids are with me. Hopefully it will be better for you as well!! Pam

I honestly dont think that a baby, or toddler is going to realize they were taking benedryl at the time you give it to them. I agree that you do not know of any medical allergic reaction that might happen, but thats how it would be with anything you introduce to your child, barring a complete battery of allergy tests. I personally plan on giving my child benedryl because its a 16 hour trip back home and I dont think its fair to the other travelers to have to listen to a screaming/crying toddler for 16 hours, of whom I wouldnt be able to ask what they need at the time due to the language barrier. I think its rude to other travelers to make them suffer thru that too. On another note.....my husband plans on taking it, himself. ;)

We adopted 1 child from the State of Hawaii and had a failed adoption (brothers) through the state of Kansas but before we lost the boys we took all three (1 1/2, 2 1/2 and 3 1/2) on a short 5 hour flight to California for Christmas. The boys' social worker suggested we give all 3 benedryl. Not really thinking what the consequences might be I attempted it. I will NEVER do that again!!! My 2 year old threw up as a side effect and NONE of them slept a wink. All were wide awake. And we flew at night so they would be more likely to sleep. So we ended up coloring, reading and playing with toys anyway. Also, you never know what the children you are getting may have been exposed to... Drugs, Alcohol, (my 3 were exposed to both prenatally) etc. It's my advice that you seriously reconsider giving your children Benedryl as a sedative. There are numerous teas or other natural products that might be just as effective with less risk. Obviously, these are your children and nobody can tell you what to do with them. Research your product and side effects and seriously consider how it may be effect your children. Good luck!!!!Manette

Our ped recommends dimetapp instead of benadryl -- it is formulated for pediatric use. Divide and conquer, bulkhead seating for overseas, portable DVD player or gameboys, lots of snacky food ... good luck!

Just a little note: please do whatever you feel comfortable with, you shouldn't feel guilty on top of stressed, tired, overwhlemed, etc. Just so you know, my bdaughter is 11 mos. old and last week had a terrible cold. SHe wasn't sleeping for days and was so congested but doctor said to try Benedryl one night for the congestion because it may have been a seasonal allergy, etc. We tried it for several days at night- it helped with her congestion but she was WIRED- when I told my doc he said sometimes kids get more active and restless on it. Just my 2 cents:). It'd be nice to know if that was the effect on them before getting in a long plane ride:).

I agree, and although the Benadryl might be good if they are sick, why would you plan on giving it to them before you even know if they are going to be problematic? Play it by ear, and if they are really bad, then try to find the solution, otherwise, don't plan on doing it beforehand.