Let it go….let it go
* Be prepared to let things go, obviously not the seat belt and safety rules but more the behaviour things, you need to ease off on the some of your parenting rules or you'll be fighting the whole trip, especially if you're making the kids travel when they would usually sleep etc; And consider parenting in a different way, for example I never use treats to stop crying or as a distraction. But, I always do on a plane. (Take lollipops/apple slices for all the queuing too, through immigration etc... Keeps them quite for a bit). When the plane meal is served and they want to eat the pudding and crisps first… Who cares? It's one meal, just let them do what they want because you'll be restricting them enough with the planes rules of not moving, not kicking the seat etc that let them win the smaller battles (I find that Seb eats his pudding, raisins and main altogether, I just let him get on with it, whereas Josh will eat everything on the plate apart from the main dish served)
*take some of their normal snacks, biscuits, cut up apple etc incase they hate the plane food; And to use as a distraction if needed. If they offer ice cream and your little one has a bite then says done, just let it go... Let it go... You don't need any extra battles on a plane.
* If they get antsy take them for a walk up the plane, even a trip to the toilets can be enough to reset them, if the air stewards aren't busy they'll usually talk and play with them for a bit. My husband disappeared for an hour once with Josh. I thought they'd fallen off ;)
* Buy/obtain some new toys and wrap them up like a present. They don't need to be brand new, gather from friends or charity shops, they just need a different stimulus to their regular toys. Half way through the flight give it to them and you'll get half hours peace, especially if it's a toy like potato head that they can pull about etc... (This is also a handy trick if stuck in a long queue at the airport).
*If you're lucky enough to have an ipad fill it with their fav shows and movies, ensuring it will work without Internet. for example download shows from the cbeebies iplayer app There's usually lots of choice on the plane but Joshua didn't watch the plane shows till he was about four.
Mainly just try to be calm and remember they are out of their comfort zone and will behave differently. At the same time if you do crack it with them give yourself a break, it is hard for everyone. Most of all, try to enjoy it, treat is as a fun part of the holiday and hopefully the kids will then enjoy it too.
Safe travels,
Christina x