I survived my first flight with two kids! Andy was 7 weeks old and Mack was 23 months. I was solo as usual. We flew from Minneapolis to Buffalo.  For the first time ever I took advantage of curbside check in! Why have I not used this before?! I’ve flown thousands of times and never used it! We had two car seats which fit in one bag and my giant suitcase for all three of us.  For the airplane I just had the stroller and my backpack.  Because Mack has yet to learn how to stop when I say stop, I use the stroller to contain him. Andy went in the baby carrier. This was Mack’s first flight in his very own purchased seat. He now has a Delta Skymiles account and will probably be Platinum before we know it! I packed his usual bottles of milk, food packets and snacks.  We had freeze dried strawberries from Trader Joe’s which kept him happy almost the whole flight! To prevent diaper blowouts I changed both boys right before the flight using the family bathroom. Delta has changed the pre-board policy to allow families traveling with car seats and strollers to board instead of families traveling with children under the age of two.  I watched the gate agent deny a family with several small children to board because they didn’t have a car seat or stroller. This to me was absurd!  Luckily I had a stroller so we went right on! Mack had a window seat and I took the middle seat with Andy which gave Mack freedom to move around during the flight.  We were given the very last row which I love! Unfortunately, after we got all settled, we were upgraded because they needed the last row. The upgrade was great but I hate having to pack everything back up and move after we’re settled. Luckily people were happy to help! My lesson learned with two kids is to always accept help (if it’s actually helpful). Traveling with Mack I felt like I had to prove to everyone that I was a super mom and could do it all.  I rarely accepted help. I have quickly gotten over that ridiculous notion!

This was the first flight Mack connected that we were on an airplane. His eyes grew so wide as we started the take off roll. At one point during the flight he stood on his seat and looked out the window. He was so excited that we were high in the sky that he kept tapping me and saying mom while pointing out the window and making airplane noises! Usually he sleeps during the flight but he was way too excited! I occupied his time with books, his toy truck which he loves driving on the tray, and of course snacks! When Andy needed a diaper change I had Mack stand on the floor (fasten seat belt sign was off) and I changed Andy on his diaper pad on the seat.  So much easier then getting two boys to the bathroom! Mack is at the age where he his testing his boundaries so we had a few small fits about not kicking the seat in front and having to sit with his seat belt fastened. Our flight was only two hours which was the perfect length for the first run with two!

We’re now on our way back home and I’m in Delta Comfort sitting directly behind my husband and Mack in First class. I was happy to give him the bigger seat with the more wiggly child! Since Mike is flying home with us, we were able to avoid buying Mack a ticket since he’s not quite two yet. However, we learned something new today. If you have two infant in arms, you can’t sit in the same row. I was unprepared to be apart from Mike and Mack so I quickly had to do some diaper bag rearranging. Our next flight with Mike, we will be more prepared! I also plan to get Mack his own backpack which I should’ve done long ago!

Lessons learned traveling with two

If you and your traveling companion both have Infant in Arms, you can’t sit next to each other

Don’t be afraid to ask for help or accept help that is offered

Pack a small backpack for the oldest kid

Freeze dried fruit rocks!!

What are your tricks for traveling with multiple kids?