| Last summer, after much back and forth, I decided to | | | | and just purchase milk for him in the airport. |
| strap up my boys and fly across country to meet up | | | | 5. Checked in my carry-on luggage and stuck with a |
| with my husband in San Diego. His 2-week training trip | | | | baby bag and large purse. |
| for work was the perfect invitation for a reduced-cost | | | | 6. Left the car seats at home and instructed my |
| family getaway, as our accommodations would be | | | | husband to rent a couple from the car rental agency. |
| completely covered. Through a stroke of last-minute | | | | Interestingly enough, a lot of people travel with their |
| luck, I managed to purchase very affordable plane | | | | children's car seats so many of the rental car |
| tickets for myself and my oldest son, as my one-year | | | | companies have new car seats. So you don't have to |
| old was still eligible for the fly-free status. The second | | | | be compulsive (like me) and get the heebie jeebies |
| phase of my adventure was to figure out how to | | | | thinking about your child sitting in someone else's seat. |
| pack light for myself and my two children. | | | | 7. Strapped on the baby carrier. My toddler was at the |
| When you are flying solo with your children, one of the | | | | carrier's weight limit but we made it work. There are |
| things you have to be particular about is your luggage. | | | | carriers on the market for bigger children if you can |
| In my opinion, the summertime is one of the best times | | | | appreciate the convenience of them and overlook |
| to travel because you're free of excessive outerwear, | | | | some of their bulkiness. Having one definitely helps to |
| you can pack light, and, if you pack strategically, you | | | | free your hands. |
| can limit yourself to one bag. Remember, if you're | | | | By the time you survive the security check point and |
| traveling stateside, you usually can find a washer and | | | | are sitting at the gate, you have accomplished |
| dryer to handle your laundry, thus limiting excessive | | | | arguably the largest feat of your trip. I knew I had well |
| clothing. However, if you're protesting doing laundry | | | | over 6 hours of travel time ahead of me but I felt |
| while on vacation and can't fit everything in one bag, | | | | more than relaxed (although I didn't look it). |
| this may be one of those times where you'll have to | | | | I happily requested to sit in the rear of the plane so |
| pay for convenience and peace of mind. Lugging | | | | that I could be closer to both the stewardesses and |
| multiple bags on the plane while holding the hands and | | | | the bathroom. I flew on Delta and the stewardesses |
| arms of vibrant little boys is one juggling act I don't | | | | on my flight from San Diego to Atlanta were the |
| suggest. | | | | absolute best. They saw me holding it down with the |
| Here are a list of things that helped me survive my | | | | kids and provided me with extra cookies, a free pair of |
| single parent flying adventure: | | | | headsets for myself and my 5 year old, a |
| | | | complimentary glass of wine, helped me maneuver my |
| 1. Got a ride from a friend who was kind enough to | | | | toddler into the hobbit-sized bathroom, and provided a |
| drop me off in my vehicle and park it back at my | | | | big dose of southern charm. Their hospitality made a |
| house. | | | | huge difference in my plane ride. However, having |
| 2. Dressed myself and the boys in flip flops so I | | | | pleasant flight staff these days is the luck of the draw. |
| wouldn't have to worry about tying laces once we | | | | The staff on my connection from Atlanta to San |
| made it through security | | | | Diego weren't quite as hospitable. At least they were |
| 3. Loaded a movie on my IPOD for my oldest son to | | | | the first part of the trip and not the last. They set the |
| watch. | | | | bar low enough to where I didn't have any |
| 4. Pre-made my toddler's bottles. I honestly don't | | | | expectations for my next round of stewardesses. |
| appreciate the fact that TSA agents want to actually | | | | By the time I returned home, after having to fly solo |
| handle the child's bottle so that they can get a drop of | | | | again with the kids, I felt like I had conquered the |
| milk to test it. They should let the moms handle the | | | | "traveling alone with kids" world. All in all, I'd rather not |
| bottle and shake a drop of milk for them. If my son | | | | do it, but at least I know now that I can do it. |
| didn't drink organic milk, I'd forego packing filled bottles | | | | |