First time on a plane single parent with 1 yo

[NikKai]

Hi all! Me and my son are going to Paris early July, it's just me as his dad is a shit and never met him (tho reading other threads about permission etc, I'm really relieved he isn't on the birth cert)
And I'm super nervous! What if my son hates the flight? Goes mad the whole time and other travellers hate me? What if it hurts his ears? He won't stay in my lap the whole time (two seats not an option and he wouldn't stay in the other seat anyway) I'm so so so nervous! Luckily Paris isn't too long,I really want to make his early years before school all about the travel, so this is a good tester trip.
But I'm so so scared! Have anxiety anyway and me and my son have been through a LOT to get where we are (not that my son has any idea cos I work damn hard to make him secure and happy) anyway my point being this means a lot to me, a fresh new start after all the issues. I really need it to go well, or as well as possible!
Does anyone have any tips? I plan to bribe my arse off with treats if need be- it won't be the first time! (Thank you vaccines)
Thanks all!

You will be fine - it's a short flight!
Try and have a positive mindset going into it because that makes all the difference.
Don't get on the plane first because then you just have longer on the plane
Have a variety of snacks and some new (cheap toys) to open on the plane. Spinny things, reusable sticker books, busy books
First of all, don't resort to the snacks and toys straight away
Try and make everything interesting and exciting and only resort to the snacks and toys when you feel you have done everything else (I have made the mistake of bringing out everything at the start!)

I've flown a few times when my kids were babies and more recently toddlers and they never seemed bothered by their ears. We got them to suck on sugar free lollies recently but I guess that's not safe for a 1 year old

Oh this is brilliant thank you! Good idea re Snacks as last resort and new toys! Wonder if its worth paying for window seat so he can look out? Not sure lolly is good idea for his teeth but maybe worth packing just incase

The decision on whether to go window seat or aisle is tricky. With the aisle you can get out and access the toilet easily BUT he may also then see that as an easy escape route! The window means he has to stay where he is which might be useful.

I think it's fantastic you are doing this trip and he is lucky to have a mum that wants to give him new experiences 😀

Have a drink on hand for the ears popping if they seem to be having an issue, so make sure to allow yourself time to stock up on fluids after you make it through security, my younger one had issues with his ears so we always traveled with his treat of apple juice with a straw. I found jamming myself in with them in window seat helped as they were less likely to try move and climb over strangers than if we were beside aisle. Fully agree to a little special for on plane bag with crayons, stickers maybe a few treats, this also helped if plane delayed, they don't all have to be new one of my kids at that age liked her teddy with her, whos head had to poke out of bag so he could see and breath. I actually found out later that traveling with them at this age was a breeze when they were happy to have me read a book to them, compared to say 2.5 when they had their own seat and a airhostess demonstrating how to open the seatbelts

Thank you that's very kind ! I'm super excited and I need to keep that energy so he doesn't feel the anxiety and end up anxious too! That's my worry with window vs aisle seat too- aisle is easy escape. Window is possibility of trying to climb on strangers (likely as he's only just one so no real understanding yet!)
I want to give my son the world. He's the best baby known to man (biased!) And he deserves that!

Has he been on any other public transport? If not, then it's not a bad idea to start going on bus rides, train/tram rides and visit the bus station and train station. It's a little like exposure therapy - learning to be in a big busy place, queue, sit nicely, share a seat with you etc.

Hope it goes well and you have fun in Paris 🙂

There'll be plenty of flights to/from Paris at various different times of the day, so think carefully about timings, i.e. work around his normal sleeping pattern so that he's not going to be over-tired and grumpy throughout the time at airports and on the plane.

So many good ideas and also made me laugh - love the idea of wedging him between the window and me. Hope I can book a window seat! Currently on the way to get his passport sorted at the passport office, exciting times!

My biggest tip is... take a sling. Not to use all the time, but when you need to be hands free. For example if you need to use the stairs onto the plane instead of a walkway.

Airport security is the tricky one. I'm not sure what age they need to walk through the scanner alone. Mine was 2 and needed to do it alone. Although my personal experience was the security workers were good at coralling children if necessary.

I got one of these for Amazon and played bluey for take off and landing - and when I could.

Bonus Also I then used them in the hotel once she was asleep

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Laelr-Headband-Headphones-Bluetooth-Microphone-blue/dp/B0B19NMJG2

I’m a single parent and and wanted my daughter to travel the world early on before school but I found the getting to the airport, waiting for a flight, sleep in a different bed, flight so stressful I’ve decided to hold off travel till 3+ (😭)

so have realistic expectations that it’s the same as home in a different location- with added stress-

You can take a buggy for free and hand it over right at the last minute as you get on the plane. I think most airlines are the same.

Oh yes he's used to buses, trains, waiting for them (useless public transport) and we just got the train to Liverpool and waiting for the one back now (been for his passport appointment)
Good idea re naps etc. Might be difficult as I need to do things as much on a budget as I can. So it'll be the cheapest ticket really. I was going to get the train to gare du nord, but its more expensive and also longer! Not sure almost 6 hours plus change of trains is the best idea. Plus getting him used to flights anyway. Just- the cheapest option gives us more opportunity for outings once there. As soon as his passport comes in a week, I'll be booking the flights ✈️

I'd love a sling but he's 91st percentile, not sure he would fit? He's long and stocky haha. Any idea where I could get slings that fit bigger babies? (Could do with this for multitude of other things!)

No advice to offer but wanted to say I hope you thoroughly enjoy yourself and have a wonderful time with your boy. 💐

Oh that's difficult for you! It will be tough but I think really beneficial for both of us. My mental health especially, which benefits him. As well as his curious nature. He's a very calm natured little boy so I'm hoping it'll be OK! Well soon see! I'm lucky that me and my (separated) husband are very good terms and I'm going to stay in our old apartment with him for the first trip abroad. See how it all goes first. But after that I'd like to take deals and cheapest options for trips to Europe and other places if this one goes OK

That's lovely thank you. It's been a long tough journey I can tell you that! Now, the world is our oyster! Mine and his 🥰

This is now in my amazon basket haha looks fab thank you so much!

Yes I checked, easyJet do (likely be flying with them)

I'm a single mum and I travel a fair bit with mine.

My top tip is do not under any circumstances give him a screen until you get on the plane, and then unlimited screen for as long as he wants on the plane.

In the airport its much much easier to occupy them with wandering around, looking at stuff etc. And although you might feel a bit frazzled, its worth holding off so that they are excited to get the screen by the time you get on the plane.

You might not get a choice. The last 2 flights I've done with baby on my lap, we had to have a window seat as that's where they have the baby size oxygen masks. I could only select a window seat for us and nothing else. That was both easyJet and Ryanair, not sure if it's the same for all airlines or could be different,?

Great tip thank you! I'm going to write a list with all these brilliant ideas, as I like them all!

So far:

Distract in the airport with looking around

On the plane sit him between me and window, so the window seat I'll need

Toys only for the beginning/ screen if needed with those headphones someone else linked (now in my amazon basket!)

Last resort,bribes with food treats.

Water bottle for ear popping (he doesn't have juice- am holding off on that one haha!)

I think that was all of them so far, that will be useful.

Oh maybe a lolly to suck on for his ears as a last last last resort! (Tho I dread the thought of sticky fingers everywhere so maybe not haha)

And get one that fits with his wake windows where possible to avoid tired grumpy boy! (Less chilled when tired haha)

Oh I'm not sure! Never thought of that before haha. It'll be easyJet that I book, I'll see what they say on their website when we get home later

Around 12 months is really good age to travel. Let him drink out of a bottle or sippy cup on take off and landing to help with the ears. With the vibration and noise, he might snooze a bit. He'll probably make friends with your neighbours and the plane staff too.
I'd think through how you are travelling through the airport. We used a baby carrier and yoyo buggy, which you can take all the way to the plane. Some buggies you have to check in.

Aw how lovely hope you have an amazing trip.
I can’t afford to take my LO away yet, but will one day.
my mum took us from super young too, and on long haul flights (10+ hrs) as family far away, and didn’t take long for us to get used to it.

so I’m sure if you’re travelling with him often he’ll love it!
good luck X