OK, so tomorrow my hubby and I with our 23 month old girls board the plane to go NZ-Singapore-London - more than 24 hours in a plane!!!
ARGH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Madness? For sure - but it's the first time I've been back to the UK in 7 years. We're staying with my SIL and catching up with other family and friends etc. But the best bit is that I'm going to meet my editor and I'm going to the annual AMBA (Association of Mills & Boon Authors) lunch!!! Infact that lunch was the impetus for the whole trip - I found out it was on my Grandma's birthday this year (Sept 18) - and of course this was the Grandma who got me hooked on M&B - so I took it as a sign!
And these last couple of years have been super busy - the arrival of the twins co-incided with the sale of my first book. Somehow all 4 kids are doing fabulously and I've written 8 books (awaiting revs on the 8th now!)... and well, we figured a quick trip had been earned...
... except now I have gone up 3 dress sizes in one day from comfort eating while panic packing and trying to cope with the 2 most grumpy toddlers in all the world... and I had my hair done and I have streaks so blonde they're grey and I look like morticia adams... and I have a 'to do' list longer than my simian-like arms all to be done in the twenty minutes in between the kindy sandwich making and school runs and coping with above mentioned grumpy toddlers... and I feel sick about leaving the two 'big kids' at home (with my Mum who is wonderful and I know they'll be fine but its thefirst time we've ever left them....)...and did I mention how grumpy the twins are and how am I going to keep them entertained????????!!!!!!!!!
SO, anyone got any last minute long haul travel tips for twin toddlers????
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Valium?
Valium?
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You are so brave
No kids so no tips other than to keep saying to yourself "Someday I will laugh about this and maybe use it in one of my books. This is research
.
When I get a little money I buy books, and then if any is left I buy food and clothes..-- Erasmus
Portable DVD player with
Portable DVD player with new movies they haven't seen, little things from a dollar store that you wrap to make them extra special, food treats they don't normally get. Suckers for the ear issues or pacifers or bottles, whatever works. Good luck.
Cady
TBR--The Born Readers
Valium?
Is that for the kids or the parents?!
www.joannecleary.blogspot.com
At least you're not nuts enough to try doing it on your own!
Don't forget the Calpol or whatever your equivalent is (in the sachets so that you're allowed to bring it through customs)
Ask for assistance at the airport rather than having to struggle
Make sure you leave yourself more than enough time
Are they still in nappies or do you have to handle restroom fun TOO?
Don't forget their favourite cuddly toys
Bon courage!
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Keep them up for twenty four
Keep them up for twenty four hours so they sleep on the plane? Okay, all kidding aside. You are very brave and the suggestion of dvd player and shows they haven't seen before is a good one. Something they can chew on (promote swallowing) on take off and landing is helpful for little ones who may not swallow on command, but will scream when pressure in ear builds up. Lots of patience and courage...
Nancy
You ask NOW?!
Oh, luv, I have soooo many hints. Unfortunately, I doubt that you'll see this in time to actually do something about them.
One friend from here always gives her kids nighttime cough syrup for their 24 hour trip to her home country (every other year).
There should be a tv screen in front of you, but ours didn't work coming back from London to TX two years ago. A video iPod would be a good back up. Lots of snacks and toys in a backpack that you control. Give them their own appropriately sized backpacks with little somethings in them, but mostly put their extra change of clothes in their backpack so you can control the surprises from your backpack.
Their own car seats. My kids flew best when they were still small enough that their car seats met the airlines' and regulators' requirements for child seats in an airplane. They were already used to sleeping in them and here's the big thing -- STAYING in them. I hauled them through the airport (the seats, not the kids) on one of those cheap collapsable carts that you can get at Target or your favorite store like that. Okay, I actually did leave the kids in the car seat while it was attached to the cart, but that's not recommended.
Here's something I haven't done, in part b/c I can't decide. My kids like audio books, but in order to hear them over the engine noise, they need to be turned up louder than I'm comfortable having piped into my kids' ears.
I horded a bunch of tiny toys and pulled them out one by one.
Good luck!!!
Penn
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I'm liking the valium
idea ;)
Hmmm - and yep now it is kinda too late - i have some toys and books etc - we are tv free and they're not into dvds yet... and they're on our KNEES - not own seat - so it will be interesting!!! Will just have to grin and bear it - figure we'll be doing a few laps of the aisles etc - but it will be fun - right?!
Will let you know how we go!
Thanks so much!
~Natalie
BOUGHT: ONE NIGHT, ONE MARRIAGE available NOW!!!
Oh, girl, you should have asked sooner!
I have one friend from here whose kids are 6 and 4 and she's been hauling them halfway around the world at least every other year. She gave me lots of tips when I was taking mine (by myself) to France.
Good luck. I'm sure you'll get a scene or two out of the trip. :)
Penn
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god
man i know how that is i went to north carolina one year and it was me and my 3 year old cousin in the backseat and she had decided she wasnt going to like me for the entire trip needless to say she made my life a living hell for 3 weeks I need a drink...were's my root beer
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