We’ve spent a lot of time flying over the past month. First from Dubai to Birmingham, then onwards from Manchester to Barbados. And back again. Approximately 32 hours in the air with the boys. With this said, the Baby has decided to put together a guide on how best to go about entertaining babies while flying.
Study Mummy or Daddy’s face intently
With your hands. Stick a finger up a nose and see what’s in that dark cavity. While you’re at it check that their eyelids are still functioning correctly. Open, shut, open, shut….
Exercise on the floor in front of the seat
Freedom is yours – crawl around until you find the treasured possession that is the changing bag. Proceed to empty said bag in the ultimate quest for the lone, fluffy, raisin. One day you will be victorious in said quest, in the meantime ponder why Mummy is embarrassed at the man opposite handing back items of a more personal nature.
Work on your sibling bond
Attempt to take anything that your big brother has for your own, despite the fact that you have EXACTLY the same thing of your own. Do they not understand that you are trying to be like them and imitation is the biggest form of flattery??
Study the safety announcement
Or eat it.
Practice your eating skills
Or more precisely, the chewing motion, via biting. The possibilities are endless, my personal favourites include (but are not limited too) Mummy’s shoulder, paper, the arm rest, hair, the occasional actual teething ring toy…..
Go back and work on your sibling bond a little bit more
By laughing at the temper tantrums the Big One is throwing, those things will go down in history. Remember the time he went bonkers because he wasn’t allowed to pull the tray table down while we were taxiing up the runway??
Play with the Baby toys that have been packed
By launching them into the aisle for a fetch and retrieve exercise….
Sleep
Just kidding, sleep is for the weak! Let them walk you up and down the aisle so they think you are going to drift off to dream world when in reality it’s a chance to show off just how cute you are to anyone who may not have seen you yet. Smile, coo, wave. Above all – DON’T SLEEP. Until of course it’s 15 minutes before you are coming into land, make sure that all the contents of the bags are scattered everywhere so that they can’t get off the plane without waking you….then make sure everyone knows your displeasure.
Happy Flying!
*all in jest I promise, both my boys were incredible on MOST of the flights and I’d do it all again tomorrow for the experience!*
Ah the joy of flights! But you forgot: take in flight magazine, shred methodically for one hour (approx). Mummy will be so pleased (compared to the alternatives), she won’t mind picking it up.
Author
I would have just let it happen especially if he sat on the floor and quietly performed the destruction but the thing was indestructible!!
Hmm, this sounds soooooo familiar!! What is it with needing to examine ones nostrils and facial hairs in some acute detail?
You forgot the investigate what previous passengers have inserted down the side of the seat trick…
Author
We’ve not got there yet but whoever got our seats after we left them would have had a treat I’m sure! Fluffy raisins galore!
This is so adorable! It’s great that your boys manage well on flights.
Author
They have had plenty of practice!
Ha, great post! I’m with Cathy, the shredding of the inflight magazine is missing 😉 x
Author
Ooh this time the in-flight magazine was INDESTRUCTIBLE that funny thick shiny paper stuff! X
Great post! It made me giggle! We’ve not taken our daughter abroad yet and she’s nearly 3 now but I’m sure it would have gone something like that! xx
Author
Haha I’m glad I’m not alone with it! X
Thanks for the afternoon chuckle, Were taking our two for the first time on a plan in August although they may be 7 & 4 I’m still slightly worried how they will react to it! Snacks on hand and leap pads i think!
Author
Oh that’s a lovely age – they know what’s going on and should be really excited my 3 year old loves it and is the most excited child ever. Though the DVD player is our best friend on flights! X
Ha this is brilliant. I can so relate as my daughter has been a terror on any flights we have taken her on. She just hates being held!
Author
Does she also become the back arching headbutting stiff as a board baby they become when they don’t want to do anything?
Hehe this is great. The inflight magazine can always provide a bit of entertainment as well.
Haha, brilliant, I love the sleep part! You must have the patience of a saint, flying all that way with two little ones! We flew from England to Northern Ireland with a baby and a 1 year old, it’s only an hour flight at the most and I was stressed out!
Author
Not quite the patience of a saint, fairly frazzled by the end!
Omg. …you are brave! I have avoided all flying during those early years. Now that we’d have another baby, flights are banned again for at least 3 years!
Author
Ha, we have no choice if we ever want to see family at home! X
Haha Love this! Toby was a star going to Tenerife at 7 months old but an absolute nightmare coming home! We’re going on holiday in September/October with both the kids so we’ll see how that goes!xx
Great post! We’re taking Harry abroad for the first time in November, Amelia was perfectly fine when she flew for the first time at 6 months and again at 18 months so im hoping he behaves like she did. We’ll see!
Hoping the little one doesn’t read this … wouldn’t want her to get ideas. LOL.
Cute post!