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Lone parents

Use our Single Parent forum to speak to other parents raising a child alone.

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Original poster

Long haul with 2 year old

13 replies

NewSw19 · 04/09/2023 10:00

Hi!
I've just booked a last minute long haul holiday from UK to Dominican Republic with my 2 year old .....

Does anyone have any tips / tricks?

I've got a Joolz aer+ so hoping they'll let me take that on the TUI flight overhead
Going to get her some headphones for the flight & load up her iPad

Other than that - any help would be great!

Slightly panicking as I booked it on a whim and now have to actually go in less than a week

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Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

alittleadvicepls · 04/09/2023 10:10

SNACKS! So many snacks! Have the best time!

beachmum1 · 04/09/2023 10:12

Don't bring out all the toys etc at once, try to keep some back for the flight home.

Colouring books, playdough, water paint books, fidget toys, lots of snacks

TakeMe2Insanity · 04/09/2023 10:16

Hide the buggy on the way out! Make your 2 year old walk as much as possible in the departure airport. When you get them to the gate encourage them to jump around as much as possible so they are as tired as possible for the actual flight and more likely to fall asleep.

Agree with pp SNACKS, more than you can imagine and also some filling things incase thats the moment they realise they hate airline food. We often take those individually wrapped brioche buns.

Have fun!

RaisedByHedgehogs · 04/09/2023 10:19

To echo everyone else, snacks, toys, as much screen time as she wants. A change of clothes. Baby wipes. A small towel. Be prepared that it won’t be the most relaxing flight you’ve ever had, but ultimately it’s only a few hours out of your life. And you’re off on an adventure! Hope you have fun, and good on you for doing something really cool.

Original poster

NewSw19 · 04/09/2023 10:38

Thanks everyone!
Not sure how I'll hide the buggy as I'm on my own with buggy, 2 hand luggage's and LG - already worried about getting up the stairs ha! Might board last

I managed to get a night flight coming home - so fingers crossed that one will be easier

I will definitely pack ALL the snacks!
Definitely going to pack some new little toys and keep them back - I'm hoping some sleep will happen as we need to be leaving home at 4am so she should be tired on the plane (hopefully)

She's a pretty good kid so I'm hoping the excitement of a plane will keep her amused for a while

I'm heading out tomorrow to buy some bits to keep her entertained from this thread

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mumonthehill · 04/09/2023 10:41

Pack new toys she can use in the water. We took cars, little bath animals and they were used so much. Loads of snacks and calpol!

ZzzzCravingMum · 07/09/2023 11:37

Lollipops for take off and landing to help ear regulation, plus mine loves a lolly.
Spare clothes for you as well.
Would also keep snacks for flight home so she's familiar with them in case you can't find anything she'll eat in DR.
I found PlayDoh great for keeping mine amused for a good stint.
Water colouring and the no mess colouring are helpful.
I found that post it notes also helped entertain for a while as she just stuck and re-stuck for ages and no worries about mess that stickers make.
We got some good fidget spinners that stick to windows.
I also have a pre-flight ritual of letting her pick a magazine at the airport shop, yes it's expensive and she choses it purely for the colourful plastic tat but she really enjoys picking and then plays with said plastic tat for ages.
Mine loves a neck pillow.

Really hoping you have a good flight and a lovely holiday :)

andyourpointiswhat · 07/09/2023 11:39

Don’t forget a change of clothes for yourself (said by someone who spent six hours covered in a child’s vomit!).

gogomoto · 07/09/2023 11:40

Board last, accept help from fellow passengers (look for older ladies smiling at your little one, they may be willing to read stories). No iPads when mine were small so it was reading books, colouring books, small toys, and lots of patience

Original poster

NewSw19 · 07/09/2023 12:18

Thank you so much for all these tips!

I never thought about spare clothes for me so will add something light in the hand luggage.

Does anyone have any ideas how to get a stroller & 2 cabin suitcases on wheels through the airport? I can't loop the handles of the case over the pushchair because it doesn't have 2 handles - just 1 bar handle (that's my biggest worry atm) hahaha 🤣 although I'm sure that will change nearer to the flight lol

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MikeWozniaksMohawk · 07/09/2023 12:21

I recommend a cabin zero backpack! They have a massive capacity (we packed enough for 3 nights away for 2 adults + 2 kids into one of them recently), very comfortable to wear on your back, and they are cabin bag sized. Absolute life saver when travelling with small kids.

ZzzzCravingMum · 07/09/2023 17:01

I normally do one wheeled and one backpack just so something is on my back and out the way.

I have done 2 x pram clips and attached the wheeled one to the pushchair that way but it was a bit temperamental. I've also put the suitcase in the pushchair and had little one walk or in the sling as she was more manageable, at that stage anyway :P

Original poster

NewSw19 · 07/09/2023 17:41

The buggy clips is a great idea! Think I have one in the old pram

She's 2 - so she could potentially walk / be held for a bit if needed.

I'm hoping to just have 1 HL suitcase and a backpack if possible; but I don't know if I'll have too much stuff and need the extra suitcase (packing everything & the probably the kitchen sink that I won't use haha)

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