Hellooo and happy monday friends ☀️We just came back from an amazing week away in Jupiter, Florida visiting my parents! We were dying to get back on the travel bus after what feels like an eternity … We had a lot going on this past year including having William ♡ and building our house, and the pandemic. Right before this all started we were in an awesome groove of traveling with the kids and showing them new places. It felt like we had it down pat and the kids always did so well on the planes and adjusting to time zones and new spaces.
We’ve taken well over a year off, and were so excited to get back on a plane! I’ve had lots of questions about what the trip was like with new precautions in place so I wanted to give you a glimpse of what traveling looked like for us in that sense, and also adding a baby to the mix!
Covid Airline Travel with Kids
To be perfectly honest, I thought that traveling by air was completely FINE! I am always a germophob on planes even pre-covid. I always wipe down the seats and tray tables, buckles, etc… and go through at least a pack of wipes for hands! My only very small issue on this flight was William kept pulling my mask off on the plane because he (obviously) doesn’t like looking at me with a face covering! I’d put it back up as much as I could. Everyone is wearing either a mask and/or a face shield, both staff and passengers. I felt like the security lines and boarding process was actually a lot smoother, almost like no BS just get through security and on the plane and don’t talk to anyone 🤣We drove our own car to the airport and parked which I really liked.
Brian and Grace are at VERY easy ages for traveling. They get that they have to keep the mask on, use the wipes, etc… They also have limited time on iPads and screens at home and I let them go to town during travel. They have games they can play and we load movies on. These iPad cases and headphones are KEY! I also like to pack activities for them to do if they get bored of their screens. Another big thing is drinks and snacks! I like to pack separate lunch boxes with individually packed snack bags for them. They LOVE their snacks on a plane 🤣You are allowed to pull down your mask while eating.
Traveling with William brought back all the memories 🤣This age is a little tough on a plane because he likes to crawl and I’m definitely not having him on the floor of a plane 🤮What works here is very low expectations, bottles, or if you’re nursing… well, boobs, plenty of paci’s, a lovie or whatever comforting item baby likes, and a couple little simple activities like these window clings and these little sensory toys. He ended up falling asleep on me for about an hour which was a TREAT 🙌🏻I don’t change the diaper unless it’s a #2, and even then, I’d probably try and work some kung fu magic to be able to do it on my seat rather than go to the bathroom because there is nothing worst than trying to change a baby’s diaper in an airplane bathroom. We have this changing pad.
Logistics
The kids bring backpacks for their lunchboxes and activities, and are able to wheel their own suitcases around. I carry this Weekender tote from Logan and Lenora which is awesome because you can throw it in the washing machine when you’re home, and it’s waterproof 🙌🏻Big Brian also has a backpack that he carries around for excess “stuff”. We brought our carseat and stroller and checked both at the gate, and carried William onto the plane. I use this tula carrier and love it! These bags are great to put the carseat in at the gate so it doesn’t get dirty and gross.
When we get there
My dad picked us up from the airport in his mini van ♡ I immediately make everyone shower (have always done this!), get their bags in their rooms (I usually unpack day 2), get their toiletries out and in the bathroom, set up their sound machines and oil diffusers! The oils are KEY because the smell reminds them of home and cues the sleepy hour! I usually diffuse sleepyize in their rooms at night and that comes in the kids starter kit with a diffuser! This particular diffuser also has a sound machine built in so no need to pack both if you’re bringing this along. Once everyone is showered and changed, MAMA POURS HERSELF A BIG OL’ GLASS OF WINE and we are off to enjoy vacation 🌴☀️
Coming Home
On our way home, we stopped at DOCS urgent care to get rapid tests. The kids needed negative tests to return to school and we got our results within an hour. Today is Monday, they are in school and we are so happy we were able to get away!
