• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • About Us
  • Work With Us
  • Shop
  • Blog Coaching
  • Disclosures
  • Contact
  • Nav Social Menu

    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
Walking into this Wednesday with an extra pep in o Walking into this Wednesday with an extra pep in our step.  While we’ve always raised our girls to know they can be or do anything we couldn’t be more excited for them to have witnessed #HERstory themselves today. How y’all feeling on this glorious Wednesday? #representationmatters #thefutureisfemale
“Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice every “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.” “The time is always right to do what is right.” Nearly 53 years later and these words of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. are words that fit so perfectly in today’s society, that is a sad truth.

My dream for America would be for it to get its shit together. For the many Americans in denial of what is actually happening in this country to wake up. For allies to be loud all the time, not just on #blackouttuesday. The work Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. helped start is not done and I’m afraid it never will be. 

From visiting his birth home (swipe left) to where he was assassinated, we’ll always strive to be our children’s best teachers. Remember it starts at home! #mlkday
Wow, so many new faces in our tiny corner of IG! I Wow, so many new faces in our tiny corner of IG! I am so happy our “how we afford to travel so much” series and photography tips have been helpful, more coming soon! Just wanted to share a little more about us. We’re Monet, James, Jordyn and Kennedy and we live in South Florida. I started The Traveling Child in 2016 to inspire parents to travel the world with their kids while providing tips to make it easier and affordable. Our motto is if kids live there, kids can visit and you’ll often find us exploring destinations most don’t consider “kid friendly”. 

Hubby and I met at the one and only University of Florida #gogators. We’ve been together for 14yrs and have our 8yr wedding anniversary coming up soon. Our love for travel isn’t new, 2 months into our relationship we studied abroad together in China.

Jordyn is 6, Kennedy is 4 and they both go to regular public school because well homeschool is not for us lol, but school has been virtual recently because of you know what. Still travel with school aged kids is possible and there are flight deals during school breaks!

James works in sales in Corporate America in an office setting so while I have my own business now we do have tips on traveling frequently with a full time job as well.

I’m Jamaican and well that means I’m a hustler lol. I’m the author of the children’s book, The Traveling Child Goes to Rio de Janeiro (available on Amazon), a freelance writer for The Points Guy and wannabe photographer.  I also write for our own blog/website www.thetravelingchild.co where we share our tips on affordable travel, traveling with kids and providing the itineraries for all the places we’ve traveled to.

While travel is the main focus of this page we’re parents too so we also share things we find helpful raising these kids and sometimes random dance videos 🤷🏾‍♀️.

Now that you know a little bit about us, tell us a little bit about you! Or ask us any questions you have!
How we flew to Singapore for free! We got a flight How we flew to Singapore for free! We got a flight deal for $395RT (tip from our how we afford to travel so much part 1 reel) and coupled that with points earned from a sign up bonus from a travel card. That cards bonus was 100,000 points which was redeemable for $1,250 in travel purchases. $395x3 plus only the taxes for Kennedy’s lap infant ticket meant we paid nothing out of pocket for the fights there! (Save and share this post.)

Is this series helpful? What do you want me to cover in part 3?

P.S. This is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to using points and miles and 60 seconds is def not enough to go in depth. So I’m hosting a webinar on Saturday, January 23rd at 1pm EST where I’ll tell and show you how to find and book flight deals, go over travel credit cards and the other tools we use to afford travel so much. You will be able to ask all the questions you want and because of that it’s an intimate event with only 30 tickets available. Can’t wait to help you learn the tools to afford travel now so when the world is completely open you’re prepared! #traveltipsandtricks
I have so much to say but at the same time don’t I have so much to say but at the same time don’t have the words. This day will go down in history!
It’s the hair for me! But seriously this mamas h It’s the hair for me! But seriously this mamas hands are tired so I’m going to do as I said through my word of the year (check last post) and release these hair responsibilities to someone else next week, it’s time for the girls to get some braids. Buttttt if you’re looking for their natural hair routine, click the link in my bio for it. Are you team protective style or wear your hair out? 

For protective styles what are you go to’s? I need some inspo as I grow my hair back out for this in between phase. #naturalhairstyles
Words are so powerful and my word for this year wi Words are so powerful and my word for this year will be the reason I accomplish all the goals I have set forth this year. Are you letting go of anything in 2021? Do you have a word of the year, if so what is it?

The Traveling Child

  • Affording Travel
  • Destinations
    • Africa
      • Kenya
      • Morocco
    • Asia
      • Singapore
      • Thailand
    • Australia
    • Caribbean
      • Aruba
      • The Bahamas
      • Barbados
      • Cuba
      • Grand Cayman
      • Jamaica
      • Puerto Rico
      • Trinidad
    • Central America
      • Costa Rica
    • Europe
      • Austria
      • Belgium
      • Denmark
      • France
      • Italy
      • Spain
      • The Netherlands
    • North America
      • Arizona
      • California
      • Colorado
      • Florida
      • Georgia
      • Hawaii
      • Illinois
      • Louisiana
      • Mexico
      • Nevada
      • New York
      • Tennessee
      • Utah
      • Wisconsin
    • South America
      • Brazil
      • Colombia
  • Travel Tips
    • Tips on Traveling with Kids
    • Trip Planning Tips
  • Reviews
    • Airline Reviews
    • Hotel Reviews
    • Product Reviews
  • Lifestyle
  • Shop
  • Blog Coaching

3 Reasons to Avoid Connecting Flights With Kids and 5 Tips to Survive Them if Unavoidable

December 13, 2016      Tips on Traveling with Kids

​When booking a cross country or international flight it can be very tempting to book a connecting flight due to it usually being cheaper. If flying alone it’s something I consider depending on how large the savings are but when flying with kids unless flying non-stop will seriously break the bank I avoid connecting flights like the plague!! Here’s why:

two toddler standing in the aisle on an airplane

3 Reasons to Avoid Connecting Flights With Kids

You Only Have to Board/Get Settled Once

In my opinion getting on the plane is the hardest part! You’ve lugged all your crap, got settled, your kids are entertained, behaving themselves, or even fast asleep. Things are going so smoothly but now it’s time to land because you have a connecting flight. Now you have to clean up, get all your stuff organized, God forbid wake the kids up from their sleep and then make your way to another gate to start over and hope they fall back asleep. Boarding and deboarding is my least favorite aspect of flying with kids so I try to limit this to only once.

Avoid Going Through Customs Twice

If you are flying international with a layover in a foreign country you will have to go through customs in the first country you land in and then again in the country of your final destination. Remember you will have to collect your bags* (strollers, car seats, etc. included) and get them to where your airline rechecks them which could be close to customs but it could not. If you are flying alone with your child and had help from the person who dropped you off to the airport they won’t be around to help you now so you will be responsible for all of your belongings.

*Countries apart of the EU has different rules

Avoid Getting Stuck In Your Layover City

If your 1st flight gets delayed you could miss your connecting flight. If it was the last flight of the night you could be stuck in that city. Depending on the reason for your delay the airline may or may not provide a hotel for you. If they don’t, your options are to sleep at the airport or pay for a hotel on your own, one you didn’t budget for. Even if they do provide a hotel you have to leave the airport, possibly maneuver a city you are unfamiliar with and then come back in the morning and go through security all over again.

This actually happened to us when we went to Sydney. The flight was cancelled at 12:30AM and we didn’t get to our room until 3AM. Luckily I only had Kennedy who was 8 months at the time so she slept in the carrier but imagine if I had my two year old as well.

There are many instances where flying non-stop is just not feasible, some destinations just don’t even non-stop flights. If a non-stop flight is not possible here are my tips on making a layover with kids easier.

You May Be Interested in Reading: Tips for flying with babies or tips for flying with toddlers.

5 Tips to Survive Connecting Flight with Kids if Unavoidable

If You Can’t Do Non-Stop At Least Do Direct

This is where you don’t change planes in the layover city, some passengers just get off and new ones get on. Southwest has a lot of these types of flights.

Have Your Connection in the US If Possible

When departing from the US: Your bags will go to your connecting flight automatically and you won’t have to collect them to go through customs.

When arriving to the US: You will clear customs in the first airport you arrive from abroad. You will collect your bags here and re-check them to your final destination. You will not have to clear customs upon arrival to your final destination.

Make Sure Your Layover is Long Enough

If you do have a layover be conscious of how much time it is. A short layover like 30 minutes will not cut it with kids. This leaves no wiggle room if your 1st flight is delayed. Even if it did land on time just imagine if your connection is in SFO or ATL and your next flight is 3 terminals away. If you gate checked your car seat or stroller and/or are not sitting in the first few rows it could take 30 minutes just to get out off the plane and get your belongings.

Even if you get off the plane with your stuff in ten minutes you still have to maneuver through potential crowds at the airport. God forbid your child is so tired and won’t walk or you have to weave your stroller in and out of people to run as fast as you can to catch your plane. Even if you’re traveling with an infant and using a carrier you still can’t run as fast with the baby strapped to your chest. Believe me I tried one time when my 1st flight was delayed 2hrs and we landed 15mins before our connection was scheduled to leave.

You May Be Interested in Reading: Tips for Surviving Long Haul Flights with Kids

Be Conscious Of When Your Connection Lands

There are many connecting flights that land at 2 or 3AM and then you have to wait 2-3hrs for your next flight. As an adult I would be grumpy as hell, just imagine adding kids to that mix- avoid this scenario at all costs. If your flight does land in the middle of the night hopefully you have a Priority Pass membership so you can wait for your next flight in comfort.

Don’t Sit Still During Your Layover

Use this time to walk around with your little ones and get all of their energy out. Before flying see if your connecting airport has a kids play area and write down the location. Eat a good meal and/or buy more snacks for your second leg if you need to or anything else you realized you may have forgotten.

Do you prefer connecting on non-stop flights? Found this post helpful? Please share it!
Share66
Tweet
Pin8
Email
Share
74 Shares

BECOME A TTC SUBSCRIBER TODAY

Join more than 3k other folks who want to find travel inspiration, product recommendations, and more!

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Kenni says

    December 13, 2016 at 8:39 pm

    Thank you for your great tips. I’m traveling with a 3 year old from ATL to Dubai on the 19th of December. I actually wanted the layover because a flight over 6 hours and my baby will go crazy. I have packed her a fun filled Activity bag.
    Thanks Again

    • Monet says

      December 14, 2016 at 9:20 am

      You are very welcome Kenni! We are considering Dubai for our vacation in February so I’d love to hear how your trip goes. I hope you guys have an amazing trip!!

Primary Sidebar

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

Hey, I’m Monet!

Hey, I’m Monet!

A full time working woman, wife and mama of two. I use every last one of my vacation days traveling with my kids, hubby, friends or solo. Join me as I share my travel experiences and tips to make travel affordable and easier with the little ones. You can read more about me here.

SUBSCRIBE TODAY

Join more than 3k other folks who want to find travel inspiration, product recommendations, and more!

Recent Posts

  • Things to do in Atlanta with Kids
  • Things to Do in New Orleans with Kids
  • Traveling with A Child with Eczema
  • Gaylord Palms Christmas, Bringing Winter to Florida
  • Giving Back with AmazonSmile

SIGN UP FOR AIRBNB & RECEIVE $40 OFF

SIGN UP FOR AIRBNB & RECEIVE $40 OFF

FIND CHEAP FLIGHTS

FIND CHEAP FLIGHTS

LIKE US ON FACEBOOK

Facebook

FOLLOW US ON PINTEREST

Copyright © 2021 The Traveling Child · Special thanks to our web team Kenya Rae and Ryan Virvo