I have blocked the flight I took alone with my 3 kids in July to Kentucky until now.
But as we prepare to jump onto another plane I thought I better unblock that time in my life and try to see what I can do to make this flight smoother…
1. You didn't smack the fight attendant on the face after he told you to hold your 17 month old in the cradle position.
Suggestion: Offer for the flight attendant to sit down, put his feet up and hold your 17 month old in the cradle position.
2. You were able to clean poop off the baby, yourself, your son, the seat, and the toys when your 17 month old has a blowout 22.4 minutes after take off.
Suggestion: Put a diaper that is 2 sizes bigger than what your child wears on top of the regular size diaper. Pack extra clothes in gallon size ziplock baggies in your carry on bag for all children flying with you (even the 6 year old). When you take the dirty, poopy, stinky clothes off, throw them into the ziplock baggy. Zip that bad memory closed and throw it into the bottom of your carry on bag.
3. You only went through the flights entire stock of apple juice. You could have gone through all the Dr. Pepper, too!
Suggestion: Do not buy the overpriced beverages in the terminal. Wait until you get on the flight and then ask for cans of juice or bottles of water to fill your children's sippy cups. Store these in gallon size ziplock baggies as well even if they are guaranteed, money back, lifelong leak proof. Everything is thrown out the window when on a plane.
4. You only went through one whole package of wet wipes as you cleaned up spilled yogurt and chocolate milk, poop explosion, boogery noses, sticky hands from fruit chews, sticky seats, sticky windows, sticky hair (not all from your own children)…
Suggestion: Carry a package or ziplock baggy of wet wipes in every carry on, in the front pocket or on top so that they are easily accessible at all times.
5. You didn't smack the 2 baggage men standing by simply watching as you struggled to unfold your stroller with one arm holding the toddler and at the same time not letting the other two escape, and then hearing them say, "What do you expect coming from a flight out of Salt Lake City, Utah."
Suggestion: Prepare yourself for the judgmental and rude looks and comments from others about your children. Remember to let their rude comments roll right off, because they could only be so lucky to have the amazing kids you do. And also I probably really SHOULD have smacked those guys standing by the stroller.
6. You didn't poke the eyes out of passengers as you boarded alone with your 3 young kids and they scowled and rolled their eyes.
Suggestion: Put on your biggest, brightest smile. Kiss those kids as you walk down the aisle with them and whisper sweet reminders that the carry on is full of fruit chews and they will get to play the iPad for a really long time. Remember that not everyone has the greatest job in the world and that is to raise these beautiful children and take them on adventures that require boarding a small, air tight, airplane.
I can do this...
I will survive!
And the kids will not even hear the snide remarks, notice the rude stares, or ignorance of the passengers and flight attendants.
They will remember the adventures you took together and how fun it is when the plane first takes off (lucky for you and everyone around you the plane is so loud when it takes off no one can hear the screams and giggles of excitement from the kids, but you can and you can soak it all in).
Thank Goodness the Hubby is coming along for this plane ride!!!
Anyway wish us luck tomorrow. We are flying to FLORIDA where the crazy cousins will be together again!!
