Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Make sure your child has cash and
knows how to make a collect phone
call. In one place, record your child's
name, your own name, address, and
phone number, along with the names
and phone number of your child's
hosts at the final destination. Review
the information with your child and
place it in a safe purse, pocket, or neck
pouch. Be sure, however, that your
child knows not to share this informa-
tion with strangers—not even a
friendly neighbor in the cabin.
If your child is taking medication, it
may be wise to postpone the trip
unless you are certain your child is
responsible for self-administering
dosages properly. Flight attendants are
not allowed to administer drugs to
minors.
EASING TRAVEL WITH
THE TOTS IN TOW
Several topics on the market offer tips
to help you travel with kids. Most con-
centrate on the U.S., but two,
Family
Travel & Resorts: The Complete
Guide
(Lanier Publishing Interna-
tional; $19.95) and
How to Take
Great Trips with Your Kids
(The
Harvard Common Press; $9.95), are
full of good general advice that can
apply to travel anywhere. Another reli-
able tome, with a worldwide focus, is
Adventuring with Children
(Foghorn
Press; $14.95).
Family Travel Times
(
&
888/822-
4FTT;
www.familytraveltimes.com) is
an excellent online newsletter updated
twice monthly. Subscriptions are $39 a
year, $49 for 2 years. Sample articles are
available on the newsletter's website.
If you plan carefully, you can actu-
ally make it fun to travel with kids:
• If you're traveling with children,
you'll save yourself a good bit of
aggravation by
reserving a seat in
the bulkhead
row. You'll have
more legroom, and your children
will be able to spread out and play
on the floor underfoot. You're also
more likely to find sympathetic
company in the bulkhead area, as
families with children tend to be
seated there.
• Be sure to
pack items for your
children in your carry-on lug-
gage.
In case you're forced to check
one of your carry-ons, consolidate
the children's things in one bag or
in your purse. If you're forced to
check a carry-on, be sure to choose
the one that holds the kid's things.
When you're deciding what to
bring, ready yourself for the worst:
long, unexpected delays without
food, bathrooms without changing
tables, airline meals that feature
your children's least favorite dishes.
•Have
a long talk with your chil-
dren
before you depart for your
trip. If they've never flown before,
explain to them what to expect. If
they're old enough, you may even
want to describe how flight works
and how air travel is even safer
than riding in a car. Explain to
your kids the importance of good
behavior in the air—how their
own safety can depend upon their
being quiet and staying in their
seats during the trip.
•
Pay extra careful attention to
the safety instructions
before
takeoff. Consult the safety chart
behind the seat in front of you
and show it to your children. Be
sure you know how to operate the
oxygen masks, as you will be
expected to secure yours first and
then help your children with
theirs. Be especially mindful of the
location of emergency exits.
Before takeoff, plot out an evacu-
ation strategy for you and your
children in your mind's eye.
• Ask the flight attendant
if the
plane has any special safety
equipment for children.
Make a
member of the crew aware of any
medical problems your children
have that could manifest during
flight.
