Holiday preparations

[LaLaLands]

Hi all. We are preparing for our first family holiday with our two little ones (just turned two and just turned three). We are going to prepare a social story with photos that explain “we all leave the house, go to the airport, get on a plane, stay in a villa, come home together”. We are looking for any advice on preparing our babies, things to do or say which might help.

They went abroad for a week when in foster care about a year ago now. We heard that the aeroplane was really difficult for them, They were quite upset and I guess scared. Any tips to help manage such big transitions very gratefully received.

Thanks all!

Social story is excellent! We did something similar last year with our two (same ages). We had a holiday booked for October to Spain, then were at a local maritime festival in the spring and discovered that our eldest just froze and refused to go anywhere near the gang plank onto the boats. He was petrified and we began to panic about flying.

We booked very cheap flights within the UK (40 minutes in the air) for a day trip to test the ground and prepare them for the actual holiday which involved expensive flights and a much longer journey. Our theory was if it went pear shaped and we could not get him on the flight we had not really lost anything and we knew what we needed to work on ahead of the actual holiday. We made a social story with pictures of the airport, security, the plane and transport on the other side etc. He loved the book and followed his journey in the book throughout. It turned out he was a pro at travelling and happily wheeled his case through the airport etc.

Get a hidden disabilities lanyard from information desk in airport. Most airports and airlines recognise the scheme and quite often allow you access to express lane in security etc. to avoid stress of queues etc.

Also consider using/borrowing a good carrier from a sling library if you don’t already have one for your youngest. Having hands free as you move through the airport will allow you to focus on the older one if needed and keep the younger one close and secure.

Take their usual bedtime toys and already slept in bedding (sheet etc) from home. Have a fab time.

How far are you going, how long is the plane trip? It is tough in the air with that age, all children, ime, and it is unpredictable how they'll react, they may react well one time dreadfully another. I think the best thing is to take as many comforting things (as per other post) and as many distractions as possible. It was easier when you were able to take on tablets with videos. Be prepared to have to be "on" for the entire flight!!

As for when you are away, again it depends on where you are going, but often at that age as long as you are there and there are enough familiar things, they actually just love the new, this is the age of exploration for them and you are giving them new things to explore.

But it does depend on the child.

Also, for mine, food was a big thing. Having familiar foods made a huge difference and still does - they filled up on the familiar foods (and handling a full child is a lot easier than a hungry child who won't eat) but also tried new things too.

Some children get distressed when they first see the suitcases as they think they are moving home again.

Thank you everyone. We are actually going on an 2.5 hour flight and staying in a villa with a small number of family members including two cousins who are the same age. We think they will enjoy it generally but will find the transitions tough. We expect food will be an issue for our eldest who will often seek food when anxious so finding other ways to distract other than two hours of eating will be necessary. Sleep is the likely issue for our little one as well as coping on the flight.

Really good tips here so thank you. I had a look at our local airport and they actually have photos of the airport so I will be utilising them. And the lanyard. What a good idea!

You may well find that they find the time with other people at the villa the stressful part as it will inevitably pull your attention away from them.

That’s very true sgnittes - very good point. Something we will definitely keep forefront of our minds. We hope to get time away/on our own for that reason too.

Pack all your things together, not separate baggage & constantly talk about coming home again. Getting them to leave something with a neighbour/buying some souvenirs for friends/neighbours early on, so they get that they are going home again.