To let DS watch TV all journey

[happychange]

Flying from London to Auckland, it's a bloody long journey. feeling a bit guilty for letting 2 year old DS watch loads of TV

He honestly never watches TV but we haven't got anything else to do...

We did London to NZ with 3 year old this time last year. She watched lots and lots of tv. But bear in mind there may be limited offerings suitable for a 2 year old on the in flight entertainment (a lot will be too scary/too advanced and aimed at older kids). We alternated between that and an iPad loaded with CBeebies and games, and also sticker books etc. She was really pretty good on the flight and made no trouble for anyone else - would have been a nightmare without the screens. Just do it - this is not the time to feel guilty and worry about limiting screen time.

We’ve travelled from the the U.K. to the west coast of America several times with twin boys, and the most recent journey was definitely the easiest so far because they were happy to put headphones on and watch downloaded TV shows or films on the onboard screens. We did have other toys to play with; sticker books and a Magnadoodle were probably the most successful. But normal rules went out the window and screens and snacks got us through the journeys.

“You could talk to him, play games like I spy, draw etc. How can you say there's literally nothing to do? You wouldn't have a choice if you didnt have the screen in the first place.”

This was me at the beginning of a flight from Australia to London some years ago. For the first part I read my two preschool DCs oodles of stories, played games, did activity books. Then I gave up and they watched screens the rest of time .

Yes of course let him watch the TV. In fact, I’d go a step further and get an iPad. Good for games and invaluable if the tv screen at your seat isn’t working. We live in Aus and I know what the journey involves with kids 😱
Also, I’d recommend a Kooshy Kids or Plane Pal so he can sleep flat even in economy.
A pair of good, volume restricted kids headphones - the airline ones won’t fit properly and he’ll want to take them off after 10 mins.
Plane headphone connector of the right type for your plane.
USB cable to recharge iPad
Sticker books
Snacks (lots) unless you have a very unfussy toddler
Non spill sucky water bottle. Also helps to suck to reduce pain from pressure changes.
Change of clothes for you and child (for when they throw up down your front!) and a plastic bag for offending items!
Plenty of pull ups (easier in a plane toilet than nappies) even if toilet trained. If there’s turbulence they can’t wait.
Calpol and ibuprofen
Their own blanket (plane ones smell weird and often rejected by kids) and mini pillow.
Non slip socks as over socks

Think that’s most essentials! Been there done that. It’s not that bad - just be prepared!

Do it. Everybody else on the plane will thank you.

Agree with pps, take an iPad loaded with favourite programs and games. The offerings on some airlines can be pretty limited for little ones. No need for guilt!!

No. Take him outside to run about then explain the intricate history of aircraft then get him to play with other passengers on the plane. Frankly letting him watch TV will damage him no end.

I used to fly long haul regularly when my kids were small and they used to love it and look forward to it Cos they knew the only rules were that if you sit still and are quiet you get to watch, play and eat whatever you want. Still works today! Even at 2 my kids understood that and it was fine Cos it was only on the plane - it's really not going to do the kid any harm. Enjoy nz!

Let him of course! But he must sleep at some point surely?

Since people on the plane are extremely miserable, definitely do it!!!!! We had a short haul flight with our baby recently and had to dial the parenting up to 10000 to keep him quiet all the time, and even that (juggling and squeaking toys etc) solicited tuts from grumpy faced arseholes (because apparently they’d rather a screaming baby than a squeaking toy?!). I’d really rather DS had been older so we could just use a screen, just to stop the horrible judgement - sometimes needs must! Do not feel guilty!

I let me dc have as much screen time as they want when travelling!

@crispy

To be fair, a squeaky toy also sounds horrific. Whenever I visit friends with dogs that drives me insane, and I have an out then!

wouldn't have a choice if you didnt have the screen in the first place.

Still do all your washing in the river and cook meals on an open fire in your garden do you?

Or is it only convenience gadgets with poorly researched pseudoscience advice you refuse to use?

You can talk to a 2 year old for 12 hours in one environment can you? Try it, tomorrow, sit them on the sofa for 12 hours with only snacks and a game of I spy and see how you get on.

RoomOfRequirement

Sure - but it was the last tool left in the arsenal, standing between him being placated and screaming. We had exhausted all the feeding, jiggling, funny faces and quiet toys, as well the people sitting near us knew. Would you have preferred screaming?

Why not? I used to take a small suit case with a blanket, little toys all new so he would play with them for the first time. I used to have a dvd but now they are iPads.
I'll do anything for a quiet life. I also had lots of snacks.

Do it. My 3 year old basically watched 8 hours of paw patrol on the iPad on a recent flight, and ate lots of random snacks. Sadly his 1 year old sister was not so easily amused so it was a long 8 hours for DH and I taking turns walking her around the plane. I can’t even imagine a 24 hour flight! Literally just do whatever you need to do to get through it

Oflow

My oldest is 15. When she was a toddler, we didn't have ipads and not all planes had individual ife. It's an f**g nightmare- we ended up buying a portable dvd for future flights!

Having spent years travelling backwards and forwards to Germany, usually around 12-15 hours depending on the route I would have loved some easy entertainment for our two, anything for a peaceful journey!