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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?
Here’s to hoping for real date nights in 2021 no Here’s to hoping for real date nights in 2021 not just telling the kids to get out the pic 🤣🤣. That’s it, that’s the post.
Walking into 2021 with everything we need. No long Walking into 2021 with everything we need. No long caption because 2020, but we wanted to say Happy New Year fam! Hoping all your dreams are realized in the new year! 

One thing I do believe in is manifesting and writing down goals, looking forward to creating my new vision board. Do you create one?

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Tips for Surviving Long Haul Flights With Kids

February 20, 2017      Tips on Traveling with Kids

Unless you’re some weird type of parent breed that I wish I could channel, hearing “Are we there yet?” 50 million times on a 14hr flight is not something I look forward to. We’ve taken some pretty long trips with one or both of the girls including flights to Kenya, Europe, Australia and Thailand from the US. While I have general tips on flying with babies and flying with toddlers, here is how we’ve managed their short attention spans and our sanity on long haul flights with kids.

two toddler standing in the aisle on an airplane

Surviving Long Haul Flights with Infants

Select the right airline!

Some airlines really cater to families while others make you feel like your child is a burden. Read my review on Qatar Airlines to find out the type of airline you want to be flying when traveling with your kids. Although we haven’t flown the following airlines, they received some amazing feedback on our Instagram conversation on the best airlines to fly when traveling with your kids:

International Flights

  • Emirates
  • Air Canada
  • Norwegian

Domestic Flights

  • JetBlue
  • Hawaiian
  • Alaska
  • Southwest

You can view the post here to read the personal stories from parents who’ve flown these airlines and others with their kids.

Request a Bassinet

Once you book your flight call the airline to reserve a bassinet. This will allow you to sleep hand-free as your infant will have their own bed. Usually the weight limit is 25lbs but honestly, even if your baby is over the weight limit or refuses to sleep in the bassinet you will be very thankful for the extra leg room you get with the bulkhead seat and the storage basket the bassinet becomes :-).

baby bassinet on airplane baby sleeping in a bassinet on a plane

Be Prepared with Your Own Food 

Unfortunately a lot of airlines don’t provide meals for unpaid lap infants regardless of age. Be sure to pack enough food to last your child for the entire flight if you’re not exclusively breastfeeding. My first long-haul flight with kids was when my  daughter was 15 months and she was only eating table food. We were flying Delta and when the food service began a meal wasn’t provided to her. I asked for something for her the flight attendant rudely let me know “We don’t feed lap kids.”

There are some airlines that do provide baby meals such as Qatar Airways. This is just one reason why the airline you choose can make a significant impact on your experience and what you have to pack. Even when we flew Qatar Airways the flight attendant asked if I wanted an extra yogurt or croissants for youngest daughter. She was 11 months and past the pureed food stage. This service was greatly appreciated.

Pack all Your Supplies 

Be sure to pack enough diapers and wipes for the entire flight and then some in case of delays taking off or in between landing and getting to your final destination.

Have Entertainment Prepared

Usually once your infant is past 4 months they have become active and just sitting still is a thing of the past. Pack some soft toys for them that don’t make too much noise as not to distract the other passengers. If they are on the higher end of the under 2 lap child age, wrap a few new toys (from the dollar spot at Target) as it will keep their attention longer and unwrapping the toy will be a task in itself. I’ve seen some parents who have the bulkhead seat put a blanket on the floor with toys and allowed their child to play in that space.

Comfort 

If you’re breastfeeding be sure to nurse on take-off and landing to prevent the change in air pressure from hurting your child’s ear. If you do not give them a pacifier or bottle or have then sip on some water or chew something. When kids are sleeping there’s no need to wake them up, they’ll be fine. The bassinets may be fully reserved or you’re baby may not be feeling them. Pack your carrier as it still allows you to be hands-free making it easier for you to use the bathroom, eat or hold your baby if they have gone to sleep. On long-haul flights, most airlines provide blankets and pillows so don’t your carry-on luggage with these items.

For general tips on flying with babies click here.


Surviving Long Haul Flights with Older Children

Select the right airline

Some airlines really cater to families while others make you feel like your child is a burden. Read my review on Qatar Airlines to find out the type of airline you want to be flying when traveling with your kids. Although we haven’t flown the following airlines, they received some amazing feedback on our Instagram conversation on the best airlines to fly when traveling with your kids: International Flights

  • Emirates
  • Air Canada
  • Norwegian

Domestic Flights

  • JetBlue
  • Hawaiian
  • Alaska
  • Southwest

You can view the post here to read the personal stories from parents who’ve flown these airlines and others with their kids.

Be Prepared with Entertainment 

Unless you’re flying a budget airline most aircraft’s traveling across the world have personal TV’s at each seat with movies or shows specifically for kids. Be sure to bring over the ear headphones for your child as in the ear ones aren’t as safe for younger kids and most likely won’t even fit your toddler. We bought a pair of volume controlled headphones so my daughter couldn’t listen to anything too loudly especially if we fell asleep and weren’t able to monitor the volume.

Kids get bored easily so packing a variety of items is necessary. I always pack their coloring books, crayons, stickers, books, flashcards, tablets etc. to keep them entertained. I don’t want to have to buy new things for every flight we have so I love things like the new Etch A Sketch and Melissa & Dough reusable coloring books and sticker pads that make these items last a little longer.



Pack Snacks from Home

Unless you’re flying an airline that caters to families, your child will receive the same meal as you which isn’t always appetizing to the little ones. Packing a few sandwiches or purchasing something at the airport you know they will eat is a good idea as once you’re in flight there are no options of getting them something to eat other than what is being offered. Even with the in-flight meal you’re limited to eating only when the airline provides service. I usually get hungry before they serve a meal but as an adult I don’t start yelling about my hunger, usually anyway :-). Be sure to pack tons of snacks to hold your little ones over in between meals.

Make Your Child Comfortable

The more comfortable Jordyn is in her own seat always means I’m more comfortable. Since she’s too big for a bassinet getting her to sleep comfortably usually involves her laying on myself or my husband which works great for her but is uncomfortable for us. I was so happy when we discovered Fly LegsUp, which is a flight hammock that allows her to lay flat and sleep comfortably in her own seat. Use promo code FLY CHILD to save 5% on your purchase.

little girl sleeping on the plane

For general tips on Flying with Toddlers click here.


What tips do you have for surviving a long-haul flight with kids? Drop them in the comments below!

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Heather says

    February 22, 2017 at 3:57 pm

    For my daughter’s first long haul at exactly four months old, I did my best to keep her bed time routine. It was a red eye, so right before boarding I changed her into her PJs, nursed her through take off, and got her to sleep. At that age it worked out well.

  2. Jordan says

    January 1, 2018 at 8:10 am

    I’ve been loving everything I’ve read on your blog so far, but I have one burning question:
    How and when did you get that amazing shot of your baby in the cockpit with the pilots?
    Thank you!

    • Monet says

      January 1, 2018 at 4:49 pm

      Hi Jordan,
      Thank you so much, so glad you are enjoying my posts. So we got this on an American Airlines flight on the way home from Vegas. We were boarding and the flight attendants actually asked if she wanted to go inside. I didn’t even know they still let people do that and was more shocked when she said I could take pictures.
      Monet

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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.

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