Flight with headstrong 22 month old - help!

[itsnotyouitsmee]

I know this topic is done to death but we are flying to Gran Canaria with our headstrong 22 month old next month and I’m starting to panic slightly.

His big sister has always been easy to handle/distract/placate on planes but he is a completely different beast 🥴

We’re going to load up an iPad with his favourite cartoons, take a bag full of snacks, but does anyone have any other specific recommendations for handling a strong-willed 22 month old, that is going through a throwing phase (which makes me think I should leave his toy cars at home!) and doesn’t really take no for an answer?!

You sound like you care and will deal with any toddler behaviour so already winning in my book.
The one with the kids running riot. The parents just sat there and then had a discussion about how all the kids had undiagnosed autism/adhd so they couldn't do much!

Honestly the worst kids on planes are the ones with parents that have no respect for other passengers so you should be fine!

God there are some miserable people on this thread. OP - I totally understand. We took our (then) 21 month old DD to the Dominican Republic just before Christmas and I was freaking out about how she'd be on a 9 hour flight. I bought lots of new toys for the plane, to unpack during the flight. Suction spinners were good (stuck on the window), a Montessori type activity pack was popular (lots of clasps, clips, velcro things). We got magnetic tiles (I thought these were fab - DD wasn't so fussed!) We borrowed a tablet (she doesn't have one at home, so screen time with a tablet was a massive treat) and toddler headphones. We brought lots of books. Stickers. Crayons. Anyhow, she was absolutely fine. She really enjoyed the flight, played, napped, toddled about. And the return flight was a night flight so she slept the whole way.

Really hope it goes well and if other passengers aren't happy, they can have a drink and stick headphones in!

Ha no judgement from me, the paediatrician used to sanction its use when I lived in the states. DS reverse cycles on the stuff and goes hyper so it’s a no-go for us and genuinely we haven’t had a bad flight with the kids since they were crawling babies, despite the fact that DS could be described as pretty high energy. Even when a 10 hour one got delayed by a day, re routed with a connection, downgraded from business to economy with a 22MO lap infant AND they lost our luggage!

You’re going in prepared. It’s only 4-ish hours! I promise it will be tolerable and the holiday will be well worth it 😀

Pray you don’t get stuck on the tarmac for over an hour before you even take off like we did when DS was the same age. It wasn’t the most pleasant experience, but you’ll get through it and the good news is the next time you go in holiday he will be old enough for his own seat which really is a game changer.

This. Night flying and travel will help him sleep.

There is no minimum age for a seat as far as I am aware? I flew with an 8 week old who had their own seat. The seats with bassinets had been taken, so I brought their car seat on board and the aircrew helped me secure it to their plane seat in a reclining position.

I think it is just that there is a maximum age, usually 2, where a child can travel without their own seat.

Have you paid extra to choose your seats and got a row of three? I find it's easier travelling with a toddler if you have a full row so they move freely between the three seats and you and your partner can take turns having the toddler on your lap. You also do have to worry about them snatching another passenger's food or knocking their drink over!

I used to let my toddler choose a magazine from the duty free newsagent- the free gift stuck on the front, plus the stickers and colouring (don't forget to pack your pencil case) would keep them entertained for at least an hour! Take plenty of snacks and drinks. Let them run around the airport and especially at the gate before boarding so they tire themselves out so there's more chance they will sleep on the plane.

OP given you are going to Gran Canaria at a time that is not school holidays, but is sunny, I would guarantee that the majority of other travellers will also be wrangling small children.

We flew to Thessaloniki once and discovered we were the only travellers not taking small kids for the last bit of autumn sun.

Not an experience I'd like to repeat but it was obvious all the parents were in the same boat and mostly trying their best.

Hope it all goes OK OP. You sound lovely and very considerate. I think not letting him out of his seat is a good idea. Also lots of exercise beforehand.

The thing that annoys me most on
planes is parents ignoring kids and devices blasting out (mainly adults) and it sounds like you won’t be doing that. Some guy was actually watching porn in the seat diagonally opposite me. Unbelievable!

I bet you and your lovely wee boy will be grand. (I am a veteran and mum of 3 boys! Always happy to chat to a toddler :-) )

So another tip wear him out as much as possible before getting on the plane. Some airports have soft plays. Or otherwise just run with him along the windows chasing the planes (again as long as your not disturbing others). Also I would recommend the bulkhead row if you can get the seats. This meant for us no risk of messing with the seat in front and space to stand up around the seat.

I've just got off a 12 hour flight with twin toddlers and although they were both awake for around half the flight it wasn't at all stressful and apart from 1 or 2 screams (that lasted 5 secs) they were as good a gold. Well until landing when 1 twin was sick but seems she's got a sickness bug.

Absolutely what @redfacebigdisgrace said.

Kids are going to cry on take off and landing. And go to the loo a lot, run up and down the aisle and make some noise. Adults getting annoyed about this are unreasonable.

What is annoying is screens blaring out without headphones, being kicked in the back repeatedly and ineffective performance parenting.

run up and down the aisle

Are they allowed to do this? Often there are trolleys in the way.