Single Dad travelling alone with kids

Travelling alone as parent with the kids can be tough and there is so many factors which can make it tough. I’ve tried to highlight a couple of factors in regards to flying, and some keyword suggestions for running in your preferred search methods.

Flying with a child alone

Children Under two - This is probably one of the toughest things to do, but it can be done easily with a bit of thoughtful planning for your long trip trip. Just be sure that you get a crib seat have some familiar toys, and use the support of the crew and other passengers that offer to give you 10 minute comfort break.

Two year olds - The terrible two’s need not be so bad if you turn it into adventure, look for support from other parents or crew on board so you can take a break when needed. If your both not sleeping and have a over tired kid it may time to play a couple of strategies if things like entertainment, books etc have been exhausted.

If safe and you find yourself with access to a Aisle. Try a 10/20 (10 minute away from the seat, back in seat for 20 min), if still not shutting down, go for 20/10 (20min up and 10 Min in seat). When up if you can cradle, carry hug talk to them calmly this will remove them from the seat environment that they may be feeling hostile towards and hopefully reset them. If can be arranged get a 5 minute reset for yourself from a helpful staff member on flight, if they were helpful on your journey to be afraid to write a glowing report back to the airline, i.e. quick email.

We personally endued a 14 hour flight with a two year old who would not settle, our child just wanted to be held and not placed in the seat - irony with were in Business Class. The return flight we were in Economy and we all got a good eight hours sleep! Go figure.

Factors against you:

• Tired Children, be ready to recognise the signs and how you cope with your child when they are over tired.
• Over Excited Children
• Flight Delays
• Time Zones

Factors to support you:

• Trained crew, if you can find an airline that offers a nanny service such as Gulf Air
• Other Parents, who know what its like to travel with kids.
• Your not alone on a flight
• You will get some sleep, just hang in there.

Keywords to use in your search for information - “Coping with tired children on flights”, “How to calm an over excited child”, “best tips for flying with children”, “which toys to take on flight”, “Air Nannies”