Flying with my toddlers, and holidaying away, We surivived Options

[Cath H]

Okay, so a few pointers:

* pack a change of clothes for when your child vomits all over themselves, their brother and you before you even get to the plane

* if your kids have colds (bronchitis in my case) no amount of sucking on anything will help them not scream the plane down when it lands because their little ears hurt

* do remember though to actually pack the things you were going to take for them to suck on

* if your kid is under two, they give you an extra seat belt that goes around their waist and then attaches to your seat belt .... this makes it difficult for a restless toddler to move from your lap to your partners if (i mean when) they get bored when the seat belt light is on

* we kept them up until the flight - thankfully our plan worked and both slept most of the way (until landing when all hell broke loose and the flight attendants stopped looking at us as though we were the sweetest family)

* milkshakes are not a good option with lunch (der)

* don't expect them to be excited about seeing the sand for the first time, my guys were terrified and apparently hermit crabs are monsters

* go somewhere that has good child minding facilities (I highly recommend the Clownfish Club at Hamilton Island) so that you can have a break - holidaying with toddlers is full on

* just being in a different place is enough to overstimulate the little people, extra sleeps are good

* REMEMBER TO TAKE YOUR DIGITAL CAMERA SO YOU CAN HAVE MORE THAN A HANDFUL OF BLURRY PHONE CAMERA IMAGES!!!!



Oh yeah, we had a super time. Hamilton Island is a great place - unfortunately waiting a month probably would have meant we could swim, as it was it was a bit cold.

Nice to be back tho

[Cath H]

Now with photos:
holiday pics

[MrsV]

Holy dooley Cath, when did Haydens hair go curly?. I still had in my mind a blondie with straight hair. Goes to show how fast these kids grow up.

Sounds like you had a fabulous flight and you can't wait to do it again

But from those piccies looks like you had a ball at the destination.

Thanks for the tips.

[CharlieLexie]

Oh my god, I could so relate to most of that Cath, especially the milk shake.

[Supa Mama]

OMG look at the both of them! Look at Haydens hair!!!

Cath i swear these kiddies are so damn cute, and look so much like each other. Although i still remember Josh as being a little newborn right?

Looks like you all had a great time anyway, thanks for sharing the pics and the tips, will definately keep them all in mind.

[Raelene]

Oh my goodness... look at all those gorgeous boys

You know how we were after flying with Ashleigh last November and you swore you would never do it... seems times have changed

Glad you got to have a holiday and am hoping you're looking at Perth flights immediately!

[Anita]

Well I still think you're a beautiful family, no matter waht those *nasty* hosties say!

Great photos Cath!

[gidget]

* if your kids have colds (bronchitis in my case) no amount of sucking on anything will help them not scream the plane down when it lands because their little ears hurt

Sounds marvellous {except for the milk shake bit!!!}

Thanks for all the tips, I am 'collecting' them so will add to my cache!
About the bronchitis, I know how to fix that!! Sorry it's too late for you this trip, but good to know for in the future, it works for adults and kids.

I used to suffer so badly from this, I must have small ear canals or something!! Vitually every flight I had was exquisite agony, especially if I had a cold etc. I even burst my ear drum flying once.

Anyway... this is what fixes it.
Get the attendant to give you two plastic cups, with steaming hot terry towels, like they give to business class passengers at the start of the flight, inside them. Then put the cups over both ears at the same time.
The steam releases the pressure on your ear drum/s instantly, it's amazing. When it hurts that much, you won't even care that you look like an android!!

Most attendants have never heard of this, which is such a shame, so you'll probably need to insist on it and make a fuss. I mention the bursting ear drums and that usually get's them moving!

[Cath H]

Gidget, the image in my head I'm sure isn't half as funny as what you're suggesting actually looks like!!! Good point though, I will definitely write that down for next time. Can't imagine keeping it on the kids heads though...... but at least with mine on I won't be able to hear them so much


Becca, would you believe people actually ask me if they're twins????? I find that so weird, given that not only are there obvious differences, but one of those is AGE!

And Kathryn, if his hair hadn't gone curly at some stage I'd have known Luke had been cheating on me

You know how we were after flying with Ashleigh last November and you swore you would never do it... seems times have changed

*sigh* I know, what a fibber. But give me a break, I live in CANBERRA - batemans bay is not a resort destination!!! And it's COLD!! I guess with Cameron on the way we looked at each other and thought "getting away is getting further and further away from us" so we bit the bullet.

I *DEFINITELY* recommend catching a later flight so you can exhaust the little buggers and have them sleep most of the way. 2 hours would have been hell with them both awake and wanting to "get off" as Josh kept saying!