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Travelling alone with 2 toddlers and a baby

119 replies

cfh2287 · 28/06/2022 07:03

I'm flying from Stanstead later this week with my 3 children aged 8 months, 2 and 3. Any and all tips gratefully received! With all the news about how bad things are at airports how far in advance should I arrive at the airport? I'm not checking anything in and have booked meet n greet car parking. I don't want to get there so early I've got hours where I have to contain the kids before we get on the plane but then don't wanna be stressed and running through the airport trying to make the flight!

OP posts:
Speedweed · 28/06/2022 13:50

Forget colouring books and pencils etc - you'll have too much to carry. My most honest tip would be pay for a parent to fly over and then fly back with you, both directions.

If that's not possible, the tricky bits are going through security (takes ages to get children out of buggies, shoes off, bags (esp milk) checked etc), divesting yourself of pushchair getting on the plane (as you then have to carry bags and children onto plane), and then collecting checked luggage at the end, as it's impossible to push a luggage trolley and a pushchair (I had to push the trolley a few feet, then push the pushchair a few feet, then go back for the trolley and so on, until a woman took pity on me and helped). I found airline staff not very helpful in this regard - perhaps health and safety means they've been told not to carry babies? Think about how you'll do these things with just you.

If you can, book enough plane seats so you can take up a whole row, ideally with a spare seat you can put the baby on so you can get stuff out of your bag (otherwise it's impossible to get stuff out of a bag at your feet without crushing the baby on your lap). Be prepared to ask for help from fellow passengers!

Don't drink much in the way of fluids yourself as going to the loo is tricky...

Accept it will be awful, don't rush yourself and don't stress - you will do it, you'll never do it again, but it will be ok.

ChocolateHippo · 28/06/2022 13:56

I would definitely have both older children secured as you go though security if you can. Reins or wrist straps. Security once let my then 3yo through and searched my DH and I while said 3 year old ran off into the distance towards the escalator. A nice person on the other side caught him for us but it was an unpleasant moment. Maybe have a word with someone a few spaces in front of you in the queue and ask if they'd watch your older two in case they are let though before you and then you have to fiddle about getting the baby out of the sling.

Luckystar1 · 28/06/2022 14:07

Oh yes a good point re security, in terms of children running off. I’ve had that before… I’ve also had my bagged taken aside to be checked. They ran it through 3 times, couldn’t find anything, there was nothing in it that was not allowed and I had a 2 year old going absolutely bonkers. Eventually they just let us go!

also, anticipate trigger points. Don’t let the children hold anything on the way to security. This will have to be taken off them and potentially lead to all sorts of breakdowns. It’s easier just to prevent these things at all by ensuring, as far as possible, that there’s nothing really that will cause a fracas!

cfh2287 · 28/06/2022 14:31

@Speedweed I wish I had the kind of parents that would do this for me but unfortunately I do not! I don't think I will need a luggage trolley as I only have a small suitcase which fits under my buggy. and even if I don't have the buggy it's on wheels. Like you say I won't be able to push a buggy and a luggage trolley. I have a whole row of seats for all of us so I will sit in the aisle and block their escape! My weakest link is my 2 year old who is very mobile/fast but who I can't reason with/bribe, so going through security could be an issue. I will update you all on the weekend and let you know how it went as have got some amazing tips and lots of things that had not even crossed my mind from posting here. I'm planning on not taking liquids through just to reduce things I have to think about, I can buy milk for the baby once I'm through security.

OP posts:
ChocolateHippo · 28/06/2022 14:36

My experience is that security will just let your toddler go though and wander off without stopping them if you have to be searched/ take the baby out of the sling. So definitely be ready to shout to someone on the other side to stop them... most people with experience of small children will be eager to help!

DPotter · 28/06/2022 14:47

Are you sure you can buy milk once you've got thru security ? Tried this once - no milk available.

calmlakes · 28/06/2022 15:01

I'm sure you will survive OP.
I took 3 year old twins to Latin America with a change in the Netherlands because I had to.
I survived.
3 will be harder but people will help, I would help if I was there.
It is a short flight.

cfh2287 · 28/06/2022 15:02

@dpotter She can just have cows milk as a one-off if I can't find any baby milk. Although saying that I guess I can bring formula in my suitcase as its not a liquid. So maybe I will do that then I only need to find hot water.

OP posts:
calmlakes · 28/06/2022 15:04

Forgot to add I dragged loads of sticker books with us, no one looked at them, waste of space and weight.
Maybe bring a couple of light things you don't mind losing.

PartyPlan · 28/06/2022 15:21

Agree re stickers. Mine just isn’t bothered by them. What worked for me was a little bag of fidget toys they hadn’t seen before. Literally cheap tat, but 3 year old loved it. Really light and don’t take up space.

Sniffypete · 28/06/2022 15:30

Also, you may have to ask people in the queue or the cabin crew to hold the hands of the children going up/down the stairs as children (especially as young as yours!) have to hold an adults hands while on the stairs.

ObviouslyNotNow · 28/06/2022 15:32

Can you pack two slings and in emergency put the 2yo on your back to contain them, baby on the front? Only if you’re used to back carrying, but it’s doable for short distances.

If anyone asked me to hold a baby or wrangle a toddler, I absolutely would - so hopefully you’ll find people to help if need be.

Ragwort · 28/06/2022 15:33

Have you got reins for the older two?

motogirl · 28/06/2022 15:35

Mine had little backpacks with their toys, book, puzzle book, colouring pencils and snacks (check current rules on what foods are acceptable) I also packed them empty water bottles a put the super concentrated squash in the 100ml or less clear bag. I only have 2 but did fly long haul 2-3 times a year solo.

No family queue at many airports officially but I got fast tracked many time by sympathetic security guards. Don't refuse help onboard either, if a lady is smiling at the kids, strike up a conversation and take that offer to have one of the kids on their lap to read a story.

Jxtina86 · 28/06/2022 15:36

Double check re being able to take the double buggy to the gate. We were caught out yesterday (albeit not a UK airport) and had to check it in with our bags and that was a single umbrella fold buggy. Also both sides we didn't get it back until baggage reclaim (and had to go to oversize/odd size reclaim which was separate to the usual carousel).

JuneJubilee · 28/06/2022 15:39

@cfh2287

i hope it all goes well for you!

How long are you going for??

it's a shame your Mum wouldn't come over to give you a hand!

You sound thoroughly capable though! So I'm sure you'll be just fine, if exhausted!!

the one thing I wouldn't go without (other than travel docs!!) is a wrist strap/back pack with 'lead'/reins for two year old id take them for the 3 year old as well tbh.

if I know they can't run off I stress FAR less!!

People will help if you need it & let them!!

have a lovely time away!!!

(Do you not have a partner? Could they not have done the flight with you??)

Summersdreaming · 28/06/2022 15:52

I need a glass of wine just thinking about it! Hope it goes as smoothly as possible, sending calm toddler vibes to your kids 😅

cfh2287 · 28/06/2022 16:05

Haha thank you @Summersdreaming I hope they pick up on those calm vibes. If they take the buggy from me I can carry the 2 year old and the baby, it will be good exercise. No @JuneJubilee , I am a single parent otherwise there is no way I would be doing this! I'm going to visit my mum for two weeks and the best part is my oldest school friend who lives abroad is meeting me there with her 3 year old son so it's worth it as we don't get to see each other often. I live in a small 2 bed flat in London so it's going to be amazing to be in a big house in France with loads of space for the kids to run around and a massive garden.

OP posts:
GalesThisMorning · 28/06/2022 16:17

OP you are a kick ass mum @cfh2287 ! Way to go for not holding back and just getting on with life! You'll be fine. People will help you. I travelled a lot as a single mum (only with 1 child, hence why I am awe struck by you) and people always helped. I'm flying Sunday and will be extra vigilant looking out for any mums who might need a hand on the back of this thread.

Enjoy your holiday

Panamii · 28/06/2022 16:36

Do you have a letter from their father saying you can take them out of the country? I'd be prepared to be asked. I'd also bring birth certificates if your last name isn't the same as theirs.

thesparkthatbled · 28/06/2022 16:56

Wear trousers/shorts with good pockets so you can shove things away quickly and securely.

cfh2287 · 28/06/2022 17:01

@Panamii is that necessary?! I've flown with two of them in the past and have never been asked but I could ask him to email me one. They have my surname as their middle name (didn't want to give them a double surname that they would always have to write on forms) @thesparkthatbled great tip on the pockets!

OP posts:
JuneJubilee · 28/06/2022 22:09

@cfh2287 Two weeks? Unless your parents are very difficult people, I wouldn't be rushing back that quickly!!! Make the most of none of the kids bring at school!!

I hope you have a brilliant time with your friend and her little one!

let us know how your flight goes. I'm sure you'll be fine! X

titchy · 28/06/2022 22:13

cfh2287 · 28/06/2022 17:01

@Panamii is that necessary?! I've flown with two of them in the past and have never been asked but I could ask him to email me one. They have my surname as their middle name (didn't want to give them a double surname that they would always have to write on forms) @thesparkthatbled great tip on the pockets!

Yes very necessary. Technically you cannot take them abroad without permission from their father.

Most people don't get questioned, but a lot of customs officers wouldn't imagine anyone in their right mind would travel solo with 3 pre-schoolers unless they were trying to abscond!

Sniffypete · 29/06/2022 09:40

cfh2287 · 28/06/2022 17:01

@Panamii is that necessary?! I've flown with two of them in the past and have never been asked but I could ask him to email me one. They have my surname as their middle name (didn't want to give them a double surname that they would always have to write on forms) @thesparkthatbled great tip on the pockets!

Just take their birth certificates with you. They questioned my dd when she was 3 coming back into the UK! I had the birth cert, so luckily they were okay with that. Next time I have them that along with the passport and the guy said "ah you're prepared!"

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