First holiday abroad with 2 little ones...worried

[Michaela0216]

So we are all booked to travel to Cyprus in the May school holidays for 2 weeks, we are also getting married here so lots of planning and sorting going on.
Im very organised and have sorted alot of things to take already but im getting slightly worried about the flight and just generally traveling with a 20 month old and 7 yr old. We have never been abroad with the children before and i havent been on a plane in over 10 years so feeling slightly nervous about the whole thing let alone the wedding planning inbetween
Any helpful advice or general tips about travelling with children??

First of all don't worry!

I have been taking my children abroad since they were tiny babies, DD1 first went to Turkey when she was 8 weeks old.

Try to find your children lots to occupy them on the flight along with some snacks and if possible time it so your baby has a nap on the plane.

It's really not so hard travelling with young children so just relax and start looking forward to your holiday and your wedding

I suggest getting yourselves through check-in and security as a priority, and then browse the shops airside. Buy drinks and snacks there, Boots often have the cheapest bottled water, and quite good sandwiches plus toddler foods, and buy comics /kids books from Smiths. This gives them something to do and if your hand luggage was almost up to the 5kg at check-in, these extras are additional rather than taking up your precious allowance, especially as only three of you will have a hand luggage allowance unless you book a seat for the toddler as well. With the security regs regarding liquids it's easier to buy airside anyway. A comic is easy to fold into your bag and whip out while in a long queue at passport control or waiting at baggage reclaim.

Now that plane meals are replaced by overpriced snack/junk food it is often better to eat a meal at the airport before the flight depending on time of flight, or buy decent snacks and stuff to take on the plane. Don't forget chewy sweets for take off and landing.

Take a complete change of clothes for both DC, and also something like spare shorts and top each for you and DP in hand luggage in case of spills or sickness or nappy explosion.

DC are usually very adaptable, but toddlers do like something familiar to help them settle like a dummy or favourite blanket or toy if you want to encourage them to nap.

Have a lovely wedding and honeymoon.

Don't rely on your toddler to nap on the plane. We flew with DD from 8 months onwards, various times and even later than usual bedtime.

I think the only time she slept was a fairly early morning flight where we got off at 5am from home. Being on a plane is far too interesting to nap.

Have the favourite cuddly toy in your hand luggage. Change your baby's nappy just before boarding as the plane toilets are a pain.

We always have some dry foods like muffin, croissant, fruit with us for DD to eat. We normally fly scheduled flight, not charter so meals are not provided for European flights and if than it is useless. If necessary we buy additional ones at Starbucks, Costa or Pret after security.

Take a tablet or laptop with you for some small movies, the Lo can watch without sound, get headphones for the older one if you don't have any. Sticker books are great, cheap crayons and a notebook. Don't forget to add something in the luggage for the flight back, English magazines and books are very expensive abroad. My DD still loves to study the emergency evacuation leaflet.

Do not take toys which makes noises. Not only will your fellow passengers be thankful you will hate it as well.

For Cyprus, get UV50 suits for your children. They will not play in the shade, they will want to play in the water. A sunhat and factor 50 sunlotion is a must. I normally dress DD in T-shirts and shorts or a dress with small sleeves to avoid the sun as much as possible.

Go with the flow, if they go late to bed or eat not their usual stuff just think that in 2 weeks you are back home and life will be back to normal.

Enjoy.