Q&A... What's the Best Way to Cope with Small Kids on a Long Flight?

Way To Go
First off, recognise your children’s needs and interests as your own. Let your children know about your holiday plans. Let them know where you want to go, how you are going to get there and how long it will take. Trace it out on a large map (for younger children you can show them the distance between home and away using a toy car and plane) It will offer them an added sense of security and a btter idea of what to expect from the journey.

Ahhh, now to the eternal question of ‘diversion therapy’ during flights. One of the most frequent queries I get is about the use of sedatives.
An antihistamine is often prescribed solely for its soporific effect - as a mild sedative and occasionally for fractious kids on long and tedious journeys. If you are considering using an oral antihistamine for this purpose you will need to weigh up the advantages against potential contraindications and also be aware that children can react adversely, becoming cranky and overactive if the dose is not right. I experienced this for myself with my own son and it only served to make matters worse. What is more you’ve got to consider the effects of jet-lag used in conjunction with a sedative. If your child sleeps throughout the flight, will this really help him to be ready for bed at the normal time once you arrive at your destination?
A few drops of lavender, chamomile or marjoram oil on a favourite blanket or pillow can help relax a child and help promote restful sleep and has helped ease me through many a flight.

As for ‘Are we there yet?’ syndrome, you can be sure flying isn't as easy as it used to be – seats are much closer together and planes are much fuller. Whilst it is even more of a challenge with little ones there are things you can do to make your time in the air go more smoothly.
In-flight comfort is key, so select your seats wisely, and early. For younger children and babies I swear by the bulkhead seats. Being in the front row provides extra leg room, and no passengers in front of you to kick. Almost every international carrier provides a bassinet (or sky-cot) that attach to the bulkhead for babies under 10kg. You can normally pre-book these cots. if you don’t need a cot you'll need to arrive at check-in early to snag a bulk-head. Among airlines that do pre-assign bulkhead seats, many reserve them only for frequent fliers. Still, it never hurts to ask.
At check-in it is often worth asking for a place with an empty seat between you and your children so as to allow for maximum stretching-out space.
Smart packing is important. First off, prepare for spills. I’ve learned to bring an extra set of clothes for both parent and child and a plastic bag for dirty garments.

A child’s biggest complaint is usually ear pain during take-off and landing. Ease the pressure and bring something to suck or chew on (bottles and pacifiers for little ones)
Order special meals. Ask about special kids' meals - some flights have them, some don't. Order at least 24-hours ahead, but be prepared with sandwiches and some non-mulchy snacks anyway (raisins, carrot sticks, cereal, fruit bars etc..); kids' airline food can be as bad as the grownups'.

Create diversions. Crayons, colouring books, paper, pens, pencils, and children's scissors are invaluable treasures. You can pretty much count on one toy for every hour of the flight. Try pre-wrapping a few trinkets to hand out at melt-down moments. The gifts don't have to be elaborate: the act of unwrapping is usually enough. Another -if desperate - favourite is to fashion an impromptu glove puppet from the sick bag (unused !)
For our slightly older child aged 3, a kid’s personal media player always goes down well as does a disposable camera.

For most kids the anticipation of getting to their holiday destination is more than they can bear. Children have little appreciation of either time or distance. The question mums ask me most is just how to keep them amused, especially during long flights, train rides and car drives.
The reality is how your kids behave on the journey largely depends on their boredom threshold and how well prepared you are to tackle the situation. If you end up getting agitated and bored, the chances are they will too. These tips might just help save the day.

My Must Have Top 5 ploys

1. A disposable, automatic camera for a kid’s eye view of the trip.
2. A portable media player with individual headsets so they can play their own blend of tracks without driving you insane.
3. Reusable vinyl sticker scene-books - when they get bored the stickers also stick on the windows. Also try post-it notes (try neon colours)
4. Every ship has a log book. Why shouldn’t your car/plane/train have one too? Get the kids to note down details of your journey including. each stop you make, the weather, what your crew ate for lunch, your times of departure and arrival etc.…
5. There is no escaping it. Over the age of 4, a hand-held electronic game has to be top of the diversion list.

ALL Time Parent’s Favourites
• Any large, snap together plastic construction bricks, such as stickle bricks, Duplo or Lego (losing one or two won’t be a great loss)
• Hand puppets for their versatility. They are always a mood lifter.
• Bottle of bubbles
• Non-stain, washable colouring pens. Enough said.

ALL Time Toys Best Avoided
• Any irreplaceable favourite which might get left behind (if teddy has to come too, sew a loop of elastic to him that fits snugly around your child’s wrist)
• Toys with a seriously heavy battery consumption.
• Wax crayons (they melt in the heat)
• Play dough which smears, squelches, stains, dries up and cracks.
(a lump of beeswax is better. It doesn’t crack or stick to anything else)
• Talking toys with a mind-numbingly repetitive tone and limited vocabulary.

Best Airports to Be Stuck At.. With Kids in Tow..

London Heathrow www.heathrow-airport-guide.co.uk/childrens-facilities.html
Changi Airport, Singapore www.changiairport.com/at-changi/facilities-and-services
Orlando International Airport www.orlandoairports.net
San Francisco International Airport www.flysfo.com
McCarran International Airport, Las Vegas www.mccarran.com
O'Hare International Airport www.airportterminalmaps.com/chicago-o-hare-airport-terminal-map.html
Denver International Airport www.flydenver.com/
Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport www.dfwairport.com
Seattle/Tacoma International Airport www.portseattle.org/seatac/services/kids.shtml
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport www.atlanta-airport.com
Pittsburgh International airport www.pitairport.com
Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport www.metroairport.com

Heading into Bear - and Bike - country

My latest venture with three kids in tow is to Mammoth, http://www.mammothmountain.com/ a five hour drive north east of Los Angeles. We'll spend the next four days hiking, mountain biking, climbing, fishing, boating.. Oh and bear spotting.

Mammoth Lakes is a relatively young town located in the Inyo National Forest, of Mono County.  The town is surrounded by acres of forest and is bordered by the Ansel Adams and John Muir Wilderness Areas. Yosemite National Park's eastern entrance is located just 32 miles north of town and its short 100-mile drive to the valley floor. The town occupies a site in the southern half of Mono County, a stunningly diverse region of eastern California.  Comprising 3,018 square miles, the County's area is marked by the startling contrast between its eastern and western boundaries. 

Bounded on the west by the Sierra Nevada crest, this region is characterized by its mountains, lakes, streams and forests.  Unlike the gentle, rolling escarpment west of the crest, the eastern slope of the Sierra plunges dramatically to the valley floors. 

The town of Mammoth Lakes is situated in the southwestern, mountainous region of the county,
and many of its trails, campgrounds and roads either abut or cross the crest of the Sierra. 

Not Too Grand For Kids

I'm all up for toddlers on tour – don’t get me wrong. My only problem with sought-after family destinations is that every family wants to go there – and, let's face it, who wants to fly halfway round the world in search of paradise only to share it with every other playground-jaded parent? My trick is to get there before you do.

I test-sample my idea for a family trip with other mums. "Sounds fantastic," they reply. "Where is it?" Clear winner of the "got one over you this time" poll, I slope off to confirm flights for myself and my son to Grand Cayman.

One surprisingly effortless direct flight later, my son and I sweep through the Grand Cayman Beach Suites lobby, past a queue of wilting guests. We make short work of unpacking. Factor 50 suncream, check. Sunglasses, check. Itsy-bitsy swimsuit, check. In less time than it takes to crack a coconut, I am slung in a hammock sipping a cocktail, George ping-ponging his way along the shoreline at Rum Point trying to catch fish in a neon bucket. Brilliant sunshine streaks across the ash-blonde beach like good news. We like what we see.

Still, getting under the skin of a place matters to me and by the next morning I'm gagging to "do" the island. I've all but abandoned my mission by the following sunset, as I finally twig nothing much happens here on Grand Cayman. The island is familial, orderly, strife-free: surprising when you consider its mere 22 miles by four miles is home to some 37,000 people. Surprising, that is, until you discover that this isle (the largest of triplets sprinkled just to the south of Cuba) was uninhabited when it first came under British control in 1655. No natives to subdue or displace. It seems even the ensuing slave labour was limited. Today there is no unemployment, no tax, no depression, no war. No policemen in sight. Less so the lager louts.

With a genuinely tempting, lilting tranquility, everything is mild here on Grand Cayman. It is an island decked out in inoffensive pastels. Even the street names are dignified: Barefoot Beach Road, Paradise Lane, Snooze Lane, Friendly Lane, Dr Roy's Drive. I spy a sign for Deadmans Point. I ask our guide whether some sort of riot had broken out there. "Most unlikely," he replies.

GO TO HELL

The closest we come to infamy is a tiny village curiously named Hell. Back in the 1930s, so the legend goes, a commissioner from England shot at a bird among the pointy black rocks on West Bay, and missed. "Oh Hell!" he exclaimed and so the name stuck.

Hell, though, is little more than a lame, charred bed of limestone and dolomite, merchandised relentlessly by local Lothario Ivan with his must-have "I've Been to Hell" postcards and "How the Devil Are You?" T-shirts.

It is evident that small things are big news on Grand Cayman. Blissfully so. As holidaymakers (and more so as holidaymakers with young children in tow) we are used to being spoiled for choice: the thrill and chaos of endless neon signs wired for our attention; the theme park overkill; the been there, done that, next!

What a difference to have George scrutinise this one tiny speck on the planet under a microscope: where a stroll through the 65-acre Botanic Park, a visit to the Turtle Farm or to the Butterfly Farm takes a good two hours instead of the customary 20 minutes. Where we are conscious of every shade, of every hue, of birdsong striking from the trees like sparks from a hammer.

Pausing to watch a blue iguana cross the road occupies a full half hour as we eye every contour of its grizzled, palpitating frame.

In George Town, the Cayman Islands National Museum painstakingly chronicles its cultural history, one major exhibit devoted to survivors of the islands' storms, another given over to children's dress-up and island plaiting. I push my luck and George responds with boffin-like curiosity.

At Pedro St James, oldest stately house on the island, we tour the cool, mahogany-floored verandas virtually uninterrupted. With so few people around to distract him George announces "history is pretty cool". That, if you know my son, is earth-shaking news.

Grand Cayman’s reefs have played host to tens of thousands of divers a year, yet they remain ravishingly, vibrantly alive. The island is famous for its wall diving – it is perched on the brink of the Continental Shelf where divers come to contemplate a 6,000ft abyss – far too formidable for a landlubber like me. The Atlantis Submarine tour provides an easier compromise. A chance to almost rub noses with a green turtle and a great barracuda. We descend 1,001ft for a sublime taste of canned Caribbean.

Despite a fascination with every creature that swims, dives and ducks, I suffer from an embarrassing snorkeling phobia. George does not. When his childlike tenacity wins me over, I join him aboard a boat bound for Stingray City. Captain Marvin ferries us to a sand bank in North Sound where we stand up to our waists in thrashing rays, while these silky giants mug us for strips of squid doled out by the crew. Twenty minutes later and George is still refusing to get out of the water. Buoyant in his life vest, he bobs on the surface captivated by the gentle audacity of the stingrays. He reckons they are like his pet labrador at home and – providing George doesn't impale himself on the end of a waving tail, I am advised – they're about as harmless.

Determined to pursue something altogether earthier, I drop George off for organised mayhem at the hotel's night camp. I pad back through the oasis of plantation-style clipped lawns, ornate hibiscus and coconut palms. Dressed to dine, the grown-ups are gathering in the Loggia Lounge for cocktails and conch creations. It is like the opening scene from some Noël Coward play in which quirky characters have ostensibly meaningful conversations, yet the real story is what is left unsaid. The waitress giggles; a bowl of peanuts spills over; a barfly orders his third mudslide. Seduction in slow motion.

On Seven Mile beach next morning, a salt-scented breeze whispers among the palms. George skips through the foam, flattening the remnants of sand castles. I read. I doze. It takes me five minutes to get my scrambled head to connect with my hand and summon the waiter over. Island time is catching up with me. Finding pleasure in the things that don't happen is a large part of this island's appeal.

Backpedaling furiously, of course, I'd like to point out this isn't the sort of holiday that would suit everyone. I mean, I've probably said too much already. In fact, just forget I mentioned it. We're planning another visit.

The Facts

Staying There

We opted for the Grand Cayman Beach Suites because of their kid’s camp.
http://www.grand-cayman-beach-suites.com/ Tel: +1 345-949-1234
Also worth considering is the four-star Sunshine Suites in Grand Cayman.
http://www.sunshinesuites.com/
Tel: + 1 345-949-3000

Being There

Stingray City and snorkeling at Coral Gardens and the Barrier Reef with Captain Marvins Watersports (+ 1 345-945-6975). Half-day excursions, seven days a week.
http://www.captainmarvins.com/

The Cayman Turtle Farm (+ 1 345-949-3894). http://www.caymanturtlefarm.com/

The Queen Elizabeth II Botanic Park (+ 1 345-947-3558). www.botanic-park.ky/

Pedro St James National Historic Site (+ 1 345-947-3329). www.pedrostjames.ky/

Cayman Islands National Museum (+ 1 345-949-8368). http://www.museum.ky/

The Butterfly Farm (00 1 345 946 3411). Pay once and enjoy unlimited entry for the duration of your stay.

Consider investing in the Heritage Passport, which offers a savings of 25 % on individual admission prices. The Passport allows visitors entrance to four of the top land-based attractions: Cayman Turtle Farm, Pedro St James National Historic Site, Queen Elizabeth II Botanic Park and the Cayman Islands National Museum.

http://travelingmom.com/destinations/international/1769.html

Some sense of my passion for globetrotting...

London at its Best..... For Free

Harry Potter, 101 Dalmations, Peter Pan,: London is an enchanted city to visit with kids in tow. Still it can be hard on parents' purses - perhaps now more than ever - as a recovering travel industry sends hotel prices soaring. On the other hand - call it Olympic Aversion - visits to a host city historically dip during an Olympic year, thanks to a perception that the destination will be too crowded, too expensive. My tip is go soon and, while you're there, here are my best suggestions, based on 15 years experience of living in the city, on how to keep costs to a minimum and still have fun: 











1. RUN FREE

Coram's Fields: a unique seven-acre playground and park for children in central London. www.coramsfields.org/
The bronze statue of Peter Pan: Kensington Gardens, next to Hyde Park. The exact location was chosen by Peter Pan's author, J.M. Barrie.
www.royalparks.org.uk/parks/kensington.../peter_pan_statue.cfm
Kew Gardens: The Gardens cover 300 acres. Climbers and Creepers is Kew's interactive play area for 3-9 year olds. www.kew.org/
City farms:
Hackney City Farm - award-winning cafe, plus pigs, goats, sheep and more.
www.hackneycityfarm.co.uk/
Mudchute Park and Farm - the largest urban farm in the London area with 34 acres of open parkland plus horse riding, a tea shop, farm animals, and a shop. www.mudchute.org/
Kentish Town City Farm - a wide range of livestock, poultry, horses, plus weekend pony rides.
www.ktcityfarm.org.uk/
Vauxhall City Farm - donkey rides, pony-care classes, milking demonstrations and lots of hands-on-work with the animals. www.vauxhallcityfarm.org/
 

2. MARKETS

Camden Lock: for quirky and fashion forward fashion. Open every day from 10am and very busy on Sundays. www.camdenlockmarket.com
Portobello Road: sells everything from antiques to silverware, to fruit and veggies and funky clothes. Open: Monday to Wednesday 8am to 6pm, Thursday 9am to 1pm, Friday - Sat 8am to 7pm
www.portobellomarket.org
Spitalfields: eclectic blend, housed in a covered Victorian fruit and vegetable market selling everything from arts and crafts, clothes, furniture to organic foods. Open: Wednesday to Friday, Sunday 9am to 5pm
www.spitalfields.co.uk/
Borough Market: offers incredible sights and sounds. Its imported and organic products such as cheese, wines, fish and meat are. Open: Thurs, Fri 12 to 6pm, Saturday 9am to 4pm
www.boroughmarket.org.uk/
Greenwich market: for classic antiques and wooden toys, designer clothes, model ships and retro clothes. Open: Saturday to Sunday, 9am to 5pm http://www.greenwich-market.co.uk/

3. A ROYAL WALK

From: Westminster Abbey www.westminster-abbey.org/ - built by Edward the Confessor. William the Conqueror was crowned here, Christmas Day 1066. Thousands of people are buried and interred here including many royal and historic figures. Of course Wills & Kate just tied the knot here. It's also where the funeral service for Diana, Princess of Wales was held. Try to get here for Evensong when the Abbey choir sings.
To: The home of the Queen, Buckingham Palace www.royalcollection.org.uk - built in 1703. When the Queen is in residence, the Royal Standard flag is raised. A soldier takes it down the moment the Queen leaves. Watch the Changing of the Guard at 11.30 am every morning during summer and every second morning during winter.
To: Green Park www.royalparks.gov.uk/Green-Park.aspx - next to Buckingham Palace, made into a royal park by Charles II. The park was a popular place for duels during the eighteenth century.

4. SMARTY ARTY

National Theatre, Coin Street and near Tower Bridge: free concerts, open-air films and installations along the river.
Covent Garden Plaza: catch street performers every afternoon. Good acts draw huge crowds. All performers are licensed and have passed an audition to perform here.
South Bank Centre: Free foyer events Mondays to Fridays at 5.45pm and Saturdays at 1pm and 5.45pm.
Tate Modern www.tate.org.uk/modern/: housed inside the imposingly spectacular Bankside Power Station building (designed by Sir Giles Gilbert Scott, the man who designed the red telephone box) This national gallery of international modern and contemporary art from 1900 onwards boasts spacious galleries, with child friendly eateries, stores and bathrooms. Straight into another century, St Pauls Cathedral is directly across from the Tate Modern, just a 5 minute stroll over the Millenium bridge (the same bridge destroyed by Death Eaters in the film adaption of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince)

 5. MUSEUMS

All of London's major museums are free, but most offer special exhibitions for a fee. The best include…
Horniman: tucked away in south London, it offers families a chance opportunity to explore the natural and cultural world for free. Plus it has an aquarium and gardens. Founded by Victorian tea trader, Frederick Horniman, in 1901. www.horniman.ac.uk/
Museum of Childhood: holds the largest collection of childhood objects in Britain, including toys, games, dolls houses, rocking horses and costumes. www.vam.ac.uk/moc/
Natural History Museum: housed in a striking building opened in 1881, contains 70 million items, many collected by Darwin himself. Its most popular exhibits are the dinosaur skeletons. www.nhm.ac.uk/
The British Museum: founded in 1753 it began with three privately-owned public collections. It now holds around 13 million historical items including tons of Roman and Egyptian antiquities, plus the Elgin marbles from the Parthenon in Athens. www.britishmuseum.org/
Imperial War museum: set in a former psychiatric hospital, known as "Bedlam", it includes memorabilia from all modern British conflicts since World War I. Items range from medals, weapons and ration books through to tanks and a fragment from the Berlin Wall. www.iwm.org.uk/

Helen's photography Makes It to the Big Screen

A permanent collection of my photography is available for hire for the motion picture, TV and commercial industries. I’ve had some great success to date but was especially delighted to see a photograph I took in Brazil’s Maracanã Stadium in the main frame of a shot for the upcoming movie ABDUCTION http://www.abductionthefilm.com/

sneak peak

Here's the original shot..

copyright Helen Truszkowski

To see more of my photography for hire visit www.wallspacela.com

World Tour in the Bag...

I spent six months planning a globetrotting extravaganza which saw me tour four continents in four weeks this summer. What’s more I hit the ground running with my two sons - Jack and George - in tow. You'll get a chance to read all about my insane efforts to cram a gap year into one month in the upcoming travel pages of The Times.

One important aim was to explore sustainable travel initiatives in each of
the countries I visited. Several fresh features, a new book and a documentary are in development as a result.

About Helen

Helen has been a travel writer for over 20 years. Previously travel editor to Executive Woman magazine, she is the author and series consultant behind Cadogan Guides’ groundbreaking and award-winning ‘ Take the Kids…’ guidebook series. She has written for major publications worldwide, as a magazine columnist and has appeared on BBC News 24 and BBC radio as a consultant travel expert.

An accredited photographer, editor and copy writer, a selection of her photography has appeared on movie sets and on exhibition in Los Angeles California.

Find out more at www.helentruszkowski.com