| Traveling with a toddler can be a daunting prospect for | | | | you are the only adult traveling, make sure you are |
| many new parents, but it doesn't need to be so | | | | capable of carrying everything you're planning to bring |
| overwhelming that it prevents you from enjoying | | | | with you by practicing at home before you leave. One |
| vacations with your family. By following these five tips, | | | | great new tool for parents is the Gogo Kidz |
| you will make your time at the airport bearable, or | | | | Travelmate, which allows you to roll your own car |
| even fun! | | | | seat through the airport with your child strapped into it, |
| | | | much like a rolling suitcase. Since your child and your |
| 1. Get there early. When traveling with a toddler, | | | | carseat are often the hardest two items to carry |
| arriving early at the airport will set the tone for your | | | | through the airport, this device is a lifesaver. |
| whole experience. If you are stressed about making it | | | | 4. Wear 'em out before the flight. When traveling with |
| to the gate on time, you are more likely to be short | | | | a toddler, it's tempting to plop down in a seat at the |
| with your toddler or snappy with your spouse, and | | | | gate, strap your child into his car seat or stroller, and |
| your child's behavior will start to reflect that stress. | | | | rest. But now is the time to let your toddler run to his |
| Also, by being at your gate with lots of time to spare, | | | | heart's content and hopefully tire himself out enough to |
| you will be able to say "yes" when your child wants | | | | sleep on the flight itself. Fortunately, the airport terminal |
| you to explore the interesting sights of the terminal | | | | has plenty of exciting new things that your toddler will |
| with him. | | | | likely want to explore, from the gift shops and food |
| 2. Use the family lane at the TSA Security Checkpoint, | | | | stands to the moving walkways. Even an interesting |
| if available. The family lane usually has a little more | | | | carpet pattern can provide a good stretch of |
| room and is better-staffed for the needs of a family | | | | imaginative play opportunities. |
| traveling with a toddler by providing hand-checks of | | | | 5. Pre-board. Most airlines allow (even encourage!) |
| bulky items. Also, there is a little more room for you to | | | | families to pre-board. This is an offer you should take |
| help your child put her shoes back on and gather your | | | | advantage of, as it allows you to get onto the plane |
| belongings together without a steady stream of | | | | and get settled without the rest of the passengers |
| impatient business travelers pushing by you. | | | | trying to push by you. It is also a time when you can |
| 3. Have a plan for carrying the load. Probably the | | | | gate-check a stroller, car-seat, or other large item that |
| hardest thing about traveling with a toddler is physically | | | | you don't need to have with you in the cabin. Traveling |
| managing all the gear you have to take along. If you | | | | with a toddler can be a challenge, but by planning |
| are traveling with your spouse, assign items to each | | | | ahead you will be able to meet that challenge head on |
| adult for the long-haul walking stretches (from security | | | | and enjoy a great vacation with your whole family. |
| to gate, or gate to gate at your connecting airport). If | | | | |