expats with kids & long haul flights: would you do it?

[oregonianabroad]

I need help here. I really want to go and see my family on the west coast, but the main problem is the flight is 16 hours, and DH doesn't want to go because he finds travel stressful at the best of times (and, frankly, after our last holiday together and the wobbly he threw in the airport, it's probably best just to accept that this is true). I haven't been home in 3 years, and I want to see my 87 year old grandmother, as well as the rest of my nutty family. Herein lies another problem: they really are all nuts, which means probably a lot of moving around and visiting, as well as a lot of stress for me dealing with all their nuttiness.
My kids are 4 months and 2.3, and I have been thinking of going in October. The baby is sooo easy, but my 2 year old is a challenge. He managed OK on a short flight, but i can't imagine trying to entertain and contain him on my own and with the baby too.
I am back at work in January, which means I won't be able to take advantage of good fares out of school holidays anymore (I am a lecturer). I've even thought of paying for someone else to come with me and help but don't know if that would really decrease my stress or add to it! Don't know what to do. Anyone else in this situation? Any advice from lone travellers with 2 small ones?

He needs to walk aisle throughou flight with kids.
Thats what dads are for.

I always ensure that am seated separately to dh when we travel together so that he deals with the kids and i get to sip wine,read the papers and flirt with my neighbour.

leati -- who??!! that is the question. i mentioned it to my sil, that is how desperate i am getting, because the thought of going with her anywhere makes me want to stick needles in my eyes...

Message withdrawn

lol moondog.

OMFG Calif.I remember you doing that flight.Must have been dreadful,although more for you than kids. How the fuck did you manage with nowt to read!?

Did passengers seem twitchy?

hey califrau,
would you go to SFO and then up to portland or stop eastcoast first (usually newark)?

i was too icod, till he made me a lovely picnic last night and we had a long talk about acceptance.

uh oh ds2 awake thanks for all advice everyone

Moondog LOL about the Indian lady

I have travelled back and forth from UK to Africa several hundred million times (OK so that's what it has felt like) with newborns, toddlers and pregnant tum, newborn and toddler, 2 toddlers, 1 toddler, 1 4yo and a pregnant tum, nearly always on my own, via Paris, night flights, including huge delays in tropical storms just to see my family. DO IT DO IT! with or without your DH. It is not easy at the time but you will have so much fun when you get there.

The more often you do it, the more used to it the kids get and become very very good on flights. Also ask for help from the airline, you don't ask then you don't get and they often are willing to help (especially the luvvies on Air France)

All else fails, dose the toddler up!

Cam,look out for Indian woman next time.
Sari is always white.

At the other end,she is always met by millions of people.

Can't believe I've been missing out on the wheelchair trick and me a seasoned expat traveller

She doesn't actually ever get on a plane, she just rides around on the buggy.

Kami,do you ask for that in adsvance?

Another good tip is not to get off until pushchair brought to door of plane.Never believe them when they say'Oh just wait outside Madam and it will come'

Once you are out of aircraft you are no longer their responsibility see?

I move to first class,open a magazine,smile pleasantly and say 'Will you let me know when the pushchair is here?Thank you' and start reading.

Is this the same Indian lady who has the cardboard boxes tied with string, which she simply won't let go of??

Yes,she might be like that Iranian who has lived in CDG for about 20 years and who washes his smalls in the Gents.