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Original poster

Taking 3 kids abroad ALONE

40 replies

CleverQuacks · 28/05/2019 21:35

I have three children aged 11, 8 and 4. My 4 year old has special needs and is significantly developmentally delayed. He is also a runner.

About a year ago my Nan passed away and she left me a small amount of money. The kids have never been abroad and so I booked a week long, all inclusive holiday.

I have never taken them on holiday alone never mind abroad and now I am panicking.

How will I manage all three of them plus luggage in the airport? How will I keep them occupied for three hours on the flight? What if something goes wrong whilst I am out there?

Also the airline has changed our flights and the flight now leaves at 6am so we are going to have to get to the airport so early and the kids will be tired and grumpy.

Please share you tips for travelling with small children. This is doable right??

OP posts:
Frith2013 · 28/05/2019 21:41

Lone parent for 14 years, youngest has ASD.

We don’t go by plane. We’ve been all over Europe by train! We have a LOT of travel insurance (which we’ve never needed).

Likethebattle · 28/05/2019 21:45

Can you book an airport hotel? We booked a hotel and parking using holiday extras and it was cheap. Remember once you check in your major luggage is away and you just have hand luggage. That is much easier to handle. Get to the gate as soon as it appears and see if you can book priority security as you go straight through without waiting in the massive queue and its £5 a head or so.

Paradyning · 28/05/2019 21:45

I didn't think you could fly alone with 3 kids?

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Original poster
CleverQuacks · 28/05/2019 21:46

Why wouldn’t I be able to fly with three children?

OP posts:
EleanorLavish · 28/05/2019 21:47

Completely doable.
First off, the 11 and 8yo really should be able to entertain themselves on a flight. Books, iPads or whatever.
They are also big enough to help with luggage, trolleys etc.
Speak to them before hand. Explain it’s hard work travelling, but if you all help, it’ll be ok. Explain that youngest will need you to be helping/minding him, do you need them to step up.
Stay calm and make it fun. Don’t stress!
When you’re there just enjoy it. I don’t worry about what they eat for example. If they want ice cream for lunch and chips with every meal, fine. It’s 1 week! Don’t sweat the small stuff.
Remember it’s a holiday for them and at this age it won’t be so much of a holiday for you-not wuthbthe wee one. I don’t expect you’ll get much time to lie in the sun in peace with a book, unfortunately!
But just enjoy playing, walking to the beach, making sandcastles, playing in the pool.
Keep it relaxed. Explain to the older ones that you could use a wee break sometimes too. Maybe they could watch youngest in the room on iPads or something whilst you doze on the bed for 20 mins? I loved a power nap when mine were small.Grin
You’ll be fine. Have fun!

purpleboy · 28/05/2019 21:47

Yes of course it is. Your oldest is perfectly capable of helping with bags, pushing the trolley with luggage on or holding onto 4yo hand whilst you are checking in etc.. the 8yo is also capable of helping with bags. I would imagine they can both entertain themselves and each other on the flight, leaving you with the younger one, or even including the younger one so you can have a quick coffee break Grin
Whilst there there will be people on hand in an emergency, familiarise yourself with the, holiday reps, guest services. Kids club might be good for the older ones?

It feels daunting but you'll be fine, don't over think it. You'll all have a great holiday xx

Paradyning · 28/05/2019 21:48

Maybe it's just the airline I was looking at. It's a safety thing apparently. Managing 3 children in the event of an emergency. If they've allowed you to book then I guess it's ok?

AveEldon · 28/05/2019 21:49

I agree you will be fine. 11 year old will be fine to push a luggage trolley

Have a great time

EleanorLavish · 28/05/2019 21:49

I travelled with 3 on mine own. Why wouldn’t you be allowed to?

EleanorLavish · 28/05/2019 21:51

My eldest has always loved getting the bags off the conveyor belt himself etc, on to the trolley. There is usually a nice adult around to give a hand.
FGS don’t leave your car seat at the airport as we did. We never got it back!Sad

Original poster
CleverQuacks · 28/05/2019 21:51

Yes my 11 and 8 year old will be ok. To be fair to them they are very well behaved usually (apart from the usual sibling bickering). My youngest is the wild card. He will have his reins on in the airport so will reduce the chance of him disappearing. Not sure how he will respond to the aeroplane. He may scream for the 3 hours ( I am taking sweets to bribe him)

I think once we get there i will be fine. It’s just the travelling aspect I am worried about.

OP posts:
Paradyning · 28/05/2019 21:52

As above @EleanorLavish.
It must be airline dependent

donajimena · 28/05/2019 21:52

Hopefully the elder two will occupy themselves on the plane. Do you have an iPad or tablet? Download loads of stuff and pack headphones.
I've booked a trip abroad with my two teens and even I'm panicking now its getting closer! I doubt they'll be grumpy in the airport. It will be too exciting. Budget for a sit down meal in the airport. Its not cheap but it will pass the time.

KatharinaRosalie · 28/05/2019 21:53

Of course it's doable. 11 and 8 are not small children any more and I would expect they would help you with luggage and the little one. They can entertain themselves as well.
For hand luggage, take backpacks rather than handbags, so you have hands free and can also squeeze them under the seat if flight is too full and they take the bigger items into hold.
You are probably going somewhere civilised - if anything goes wrong, it can be sorted. Do you have health insurance?

Fr3d · 28/05/2019 21:58

At similar ages (but no special needs) my mother took 3 kids to Australia on her own. I'm still in awe Smile

Some airports you can book a "helper" to help through security etc. Or fast track security.

Or have programs like this: www.dublinairport.com/at-the-airport/passenger-information/special-assistance/autism-asd

CheekyFuckersDontGetPastMe · 28/05/2019 21:58

Who are you flying with? I flew with virgin and they had a disability pass which gave me help at the airport, on the plane and through customs.

I also contacted the hotel complex, explained the situation and asked for some reasonable adjustments which they were more than happy to accommodate.

You don’t get if you don’t ask and a holiday is defiantly the time to find all the help you can get to make those great memories.

Dragongirl10 · 28/05/2019 22:04

It will be fine op, l have travelled with 2 , 16 months apart between the USA and UK since babies, through the toddler years and up till 11 and 13, that is an 8 hour flight.

My tips,
set really firm boundaries and talk them through several times (londg before leaving home) with sharp consequences..

Mine were, Run off and you lose an hour of ipad time on the plane...

Make a noise and disturb others, same punishment.....( an hour reading is too boring to risk twice!)

Pack for the three kids in two suitcases and get each of the older two to pull one. Pack light.
Then you only have yours to pull.
Get each to put drawing/books/ipads etc in backpacks. NOT to be taken off until on plane!

3 hours is nothing, take non sugary snacks and water so they don't get hyped on the plane.

Put a wristband with your phone number on your 4 yr old.

Have fun!

NannyRed · 28/05/2019 22:05

@ElenorLavish has nailed it.

Airport staff are super helpfu, too.
Enjoy.

stucknoue · 28/05/2019 22:18

Very doable, prep the older kids well do they know what to expect and they have stuff to entertain themselves at the airport and on the plane. For the 4 year old consider reins if they run, busy places are hard, and consider if a pushchair is still handy (my asd dd stayed in hers until we moved and I sold the double buggy, about 5!) Be really organised with paperwork including sole parental responsibility from the court, death certificate or permission letter from their dad whichever is appropriate. The airport hotel might be easier, though I opt for a cab to the airport myself. Have loads of fun

Original poster
CleverQuacks · 28/05/2019 22:19

Thank you all. You are really reassuring me! I have already got them magazines and pens and little bits and bobs to entertain them on the plane. The oldest two will just be on their tablets anyway so I can focus on the little one once we are on the plane.

OP posts:
stucknoue · 28/05/2019 22:21

Oh and I bought in case of emergency wristbands, you fill in your mobile, it was £3 for about 25!

MrsWilkinsonAthome · 28/05/2019 22:24

Most uk airports have a system for children with asd. You go to passenger services or special assistance (check online) and they will give you a rainbow coloured lanyard to wear. Staff see this and fast track you at all stages.

Also ask the airline. Virgin are excellent and give a special pass by email to use with their staff.

I also find giving small children their own small case to pull stopped by asd runner in his tracks when he was little.

Passtherioja · 28/05/2019 22:27

You'll be fine!! Brief the eldest two about how important it is that they help, stick together, help you etc.

Would it help if you wrap a little gift for each one of them and pop it in your hand baggage-make it something that they can do eg colouring in, puzzle etc, Then they can open it on the plane as a treat ...just a thought!

HeyHeyMckenzie · 28/05/2019 22:58

I have just done this with my similar aged children- middle one has additional needs rather than youngest as in your case but it was absolutely fine. The flight is broken up by the snack trolley making two rounds which might have cost more than hand luggage snacks but worked well to occupy them for a little while, plus kindles and small games (uno worked brilliantly!)

You will have a fab time x

TwoShades1 · 29/05/2019 05:07

You really only have to deal with the youngest. The older two are quite capable of pulling a wheely case and wearing a backpack. They will also entertain themselves on the plane. Our last holiday step kids were 8 and 10 and we really didn’t need to help at all in the airport apart from at security with helping them get the right stuff out of bags and put stuff on/off the conveyer belt. And putting stuff in the over head lockers on the plane. Moving through the airport they were in charge of their own luggage and were pretty happy on the plane with iPads, snacks and looking out the window.

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