to think 300 people are going to hate me?

[fuckingroundabout]

flying alone soon with an autistic nearly three year old and a recently crusing under one. How the hell am i going to survive a flight when the toddler cant sit still for more than 30 seconds and the baby is now wanting to be on the floor consta tly. Dont even have the aisle seat so some poor sod is sat next to us!

I AM that grumpy person. Having flown with DS as a toddler at 18 months (alone) and 2 1/2 (with DH) I threw in the towel and we stayed in the UK for 6-7 years. I always wonder why people inflict this on themselves and others just for a bit of sun (which is often too hot for DC anyway).

HOWEVER if I sat next to you and you explained your circumstances I'd melt and hold your toddler for you.

Omg much rather have an unsettled screaming child rather than some of the drunken louts we sometimes hear about on planes

@whiteroseredrose op isn't going on holiday for a bit of sun

she is taking the children to visit family members that haven't met the children yet which IMHO is completely different reason to be flying

Give them a ton of sweets. I'd do anything to bribe kids to be quiet on a flight.

Kanga. I know. It's very different.

In broody, I'll come and cuddle the baby.

Like other said, technology, treats and muster onwards. I think if people know your trying to keep the kids happy they're far nicer than if they think you're too engrossed with your book and wine

I admit I haven't read the whole thread but I wondered if you would consider a sedative.
Might be totally inappropriate for your circumstances but I have known it be prescribed to autistic preschoolers for flying.

Not saying you should for benefit of others but maybe if you think your dd will find the flying hard.

So I have been working out timings. we will need to be at the airport at 4.30, Im.hoping to get them to stay asleep in the buggy but will I have to wake them for security? an overtired toddler and baby will make.things so much worse

Speak to the airline and mention that your child has autism and find out if reasonable adjustments can be made. Ask if you have to wake your child for security clearance so you can plan for it. I would ask to be allowed to board last so you don't have to wait a long time before take off.

Prepare your dc with lots of social stories about your journey. The national autistic society has lots of advice about travelling with autistic children.

I know there are lots of pages of advice her so maybe someone else has said it but I would recommend a front carrier for your baby. Unfortunately you can't wear them during take off/landing but you can the rest of the flight. It really helps restrict them, calms them and in my son's case sent him off to sleep (was an hour and a half flight). And it keeps your hands free. If they sometimes use a dummy -use the dummy!

Take all your best bribes for 3 year old -thinking tablet with some favourite/new apps/videos. Home rules about screen time don't need to be plane rules! Bring some of his favourite books (even if they're the In the Night Garden ones you're sick of -good thing being in the travel bag is you don't have to read them the rest of the time!).

Oh and about security -you'll have to take them out of the buggy (or carrier if using) but shouldn't need to wake up if that's possible. Buggy has to go through the scanner.

Is that 4:30 am? Might they sleep through the flight then?

scanner as in the x ray machine? it wont fit

im hoping baby will, toddler wont

It wouldn't matter if the OP was just taking her children on a sun holiday rather than to visit family. People with autism are allowed to enjoy sun holidays too even if the journey there is a bit stressful for some of them.