Must have been done to death - long haul with 2 under 3.5!!!

[susanmt]

I must be mad!! We are going to Vancouver on 4th August with dd (3.5) and ds (exceptionally active and expert climber 18 months). Luckily dh is going too. I will have to take ds for walks I reckon as I am almost 20 weeks pg so will have to move around lots, but any other ideas/tips etc greatfully received (I am getting a couple of days in Glasgow next week so will be able to buy supplies!). We have (seriously) considered going the 'dope them with antihisthamines' route - are we cruel? The flight is 11 hours, leaving at 2pm, arriving about teatime same day canadian west coast time. Help!

[SoupDragon]

Apparently a pre-med works wonders too No, you're not being cruel.

I have also travelled with DSs at those ages. DS1 was a dream - watched his seat back TV lots, played with his sticker book/drawing book/had stories read to him. I hate to say it but DS2 was a nightmare. He had no seat so had to sit on our laps. Luckily the flight was not full so we were able to get an extra seat once in the air but he had to sit on a lap some of the time and it meant we were sitting 1 adult plus 2 chldren together and 1 lucky adult over the aisle.

Go to a cheapo book shop - they seem to sell loads of sticker books, colouring books, small story books etc.

Wrap one small new toy per hour to bring out - they get excited abot a present, have to unwrap it and then have something new to play with. Keep them small and cheap, obviously!

Take small snacks & drinks.

And good luck!

[Loobie]

i recently took my 8mth old dd to spain on our first holiday abroad the flight out was a nightmare as she had to sit on my lap and is an incredibly active child so was suitably frustrated, on the way home i went for the 'dope her with antihistamine' route and the flight was a bit easier as she slept most of it,hope i havent put you off.

[tilba]

re drugs.....I'm not keen on antihistamines having experienced the reverse reaction ie hyper +++ behaviour. Get hold of some Atarax , it works like a dream and is also good if you need help getting them into Vancouver time.
No time to list other tips but do check out loney planet thorn tree .....the travelling with kids. Someone has just listed a heap of great ideas for long haul. We criss cross the worl with our two toddlers and I agree with everything posted there. Have fun!!

[tilba]

Should read ....lonely planet !

[Twink]

Have a look here for quite a bit of stuff.

I was only travelling with a 3 y.o. but some of the others had more.

You're not mad and it will be fun, remember even if your kids drive you and everyone else bonkers the return flight is a total of ONE day in your lives and you are never likely to meet any of your fellow passengers again. Enjoy

[RuthWarrens]

In 1997 I took my two darlings to Auckland by myself (29 hrs ) when dd was 2yr11mo and ds was 7mo. No seat back TVs then (they've been a godsend since). I introduced dd to a Walkman the week before and she was very happy listening to her favourite story tapes for hours.

(DS started to crawl in the month we were in NZ, so the trip home was hell - when awake he was happy only being held (with me standing,and sceamed if I moved towards his car seat!)