[blparent] Question/Suggestions to parents only!!!!

Wed Aug 25 00:21:41 UTC 2010

Both are potty trained! Corban has been since he was 12 onths.
TY

-----Original Message-----
From: blparent-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:blparent-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
Behalf Of Melissa Ann Riccobono
Sent: Tuesday, August 24, 2010 6:29 PM
To: 'NFBnet Blind Parents Mailing List'
Subject: Re: [blparent] Question/Suggestions to parents only!!!!

Rhonda,
Your son may be fully potty trained by the time you travel, but here are two
tips for what they are worth.  First, you may want to have him wear a pullup
or diaper just in case, and/or pack extra dry clothes in a carry on bag.  I
don't think there is anything worse than a wet toddler.  Also, I just found
out there are changing tables in airplane bathrooms.  I don't know why I
never thought to check this out with my son--I guess I just assumed the
bathrooms were so small there wouldn't be anywhere to change a baby.  But,
on our last flight with my three month old, I was about to change her on my
lap and the flight attendant told me there was a changing table in the
forward bathroom and asked if I wanted to use it.  I don't know if they are
always in the forward bathroom--I suspect it depends on the plane.  This
might be a good thing to ask about if you will be in need of it.
Just some thoughts.
Melissa

-----Original Message-----
From: blparent-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:blparent-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
Behalf Of Sarah Johnson
Sent: Tuesday, August 24, 2010 5:28 PM
To: NFBnet Blind Parents Mailing List
Subject: Re: [blparent] Question/Suggestions to parents only!!!!

Hey Ronda,
	 I know you only asked for response from people who have specific 
experience with international travel with toddlers, but  I have recently 
flown domestically several times with our three month old, and am in the 
middle of planning a trip to Switzerland in a few weeks. As such I have 
recently received lots of advice on flying with children from friends 
who have done it before.
So for what it is worth, here is my advice.

there always seems to be an issue with what kind of stroller or car seat 
to bring.  while this is mostly dictated by what you have and by what 
will be useful at your destination, it is useful to know that most 
airlines will check your car seat and or stroller at the ticket counter 
or at the gate for free. if you have a travel bag for your stroller it 
is useful to use it, as  they can get quite dirty in the hole. A large 
trash bag will also work, just as long as the  luggage tag is  sticking 
out.
Also for when you are going through security, if you are taking a 
stroller, everything has to be out of the stroller before it can go on 
the conveyor belt . so don't load up the stroller bag with lots of loose 
things that can't be pulled out easily.
bring lots of snacks!   I know that it does not apply to your situation, 
but I am pretty sure that the only liquids that you can bring through 
security, in the snacks category, are expressed breast milk and  formula 
You can get  juice and milk in the terminal, and they should have some 
on the plane, but just know that usually airlines only have 2%, not the 
whole milk that a lot of children drink.
  bringing lots of little toys  or things like activity  books to keep 
your kids occupied really helps. This really can be anything, one mother 
said that she brought a roll of tape, because her little girl loved 
playing with it. another mother recommended wrapping each toy in paper, 
because the very act of unwrapping each little thing made each new 
activity's seem more fun, and more  importantly kept her child quiet for 
longer.
  for longer flights it is  nice if you can get seats in the bulkhead so 
that you can have that little bit of  extra floor space for your 
children to play in, or just to stretch.
some parents like to Bord early, but I know  others who like to have one 
parent Bord early with all of the luggage and such, while the other one 
waits to the last minute with the kids to try to give the children as 
much  time in the terminal to get their energy out.
  for international flights if you can get an over night  flight then 
your children are more likely to sleep- always a  good thing.
and lastly, if you are blind a flight attendant should come over and 
brief you individually on the flight safety stuff. Personally I find it 
useful to be as  animated and friendly as possible to the flight 
attendant, making sure to get his or her name, and the names of the 
other flight attendants before the conversation is over. I also like to 
go ahead  and ask about any  thing that I anticipate I might need. for 
example I have been breastfeeding my daughter, and thus am  more thirsty 
then normal. so I have been asking flight attendant's about getting 
extra water sometime during the flight when they come to brief me. this 
way I can get a feel for how friendly or accommodating that particular 
flight attendant is, and if I happen to ask  the same flight attendant 
later for assistance, she or he is usually more likely  to give me 
timely assistants.
  so if you get a personal briefing, you might want to ask about any 
thing you think you, or your family might need during the flight.

  I hope this helps, and have fun in Germany.

Take Care,
   Sarah, mother to three month old Isla

On 8/24/2010 11:19 AM, Rhonda Kubehl wrote:
>
>
> This Christmas, we are flying to Germany to visit the hubby’s side of the
> family 

>
>
>
> I haven’t flown in 4 ½ years, nor have I ever flown with a toddler.
>
>
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> Any suggestions on what to pack?
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> My son is compleately sited, and my step daughter is autictic.
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> Do I need anything special for Livie because she’s autistic and 4?
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> Only answer if you are a parent, grandparent, or if your children  fall
into
> the age range 2 and 4, or if you have flown recently.
>
>
>
> Sorry to be so blunt 

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> R
>
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