Coming soon to a blog near you: actual posting. Right now, I’m totally swamped in ways mostly good.
I am taking my three children to France in about a week and a half – ages 10, 8, and 4. The 4-year-old is the wild card, airplane-wise.
I haven’t flown with my kids in a few years, which is probably why I’m currently feeling relatively sanguine about this whole adventure. I’m trying to think of what will need to go with me on the plane. I may be lugging along my laptop, so I’m looking at getting a laptop backpack that will have extra room for other stuff. My two older kids will each have a backpack, too, and can be forced to carry things. Because if I’m going to work my tail off to fund a trip to France, Sir and Madam, you can carry my toothbrush in your backpack. Ahem.
Important piece of information: Mr. Speed will not be going with us, due to a knee injury that precludes walking around France and the lack of vacation time. So it will just be me and the Speedlets. But don’t panic, Future Me! SERIOUSLY DON’T PANIC
When you fly with children, what are the essentials that you have in your carry-on? So far, I’m thinking I will have the aforementioned backpack, possibly containing the aforementioned laptop, and a cross-body bag with several pockets.
Bag: Passports, cash, credit cards, plane tickets, basic cosmetics/toiletries, medicine, sunglasses, very basic first aid stuff, maybe my journal (which is a biggish sketchbook and the topic of another post), French phrasebook, map, sign that reads “I’M REAL SORRY I DON’T SPEAK FRENCH THAT GOOD BUT HERE ARE SOME EUROS”
Backpack: Snacks for self and for kids, maybe some simple and small activities for kids, camera, the two old handed-down-by-grandparents iPhones we’re taking so that the kids can have cameras (they also have games, etc., for desperate times/desperate measures), possibly a travel blanket for me and one for my youngest because I’m making some cute travel blankets that are thin flannel. Each of my two older kids will have a backpack so they can each carry their own travel blanket. And maybe mine.
What I was going to do, actually, was make a travel blanket and a small “pillowcase” with a zipper for each of us that can contain a change of underwear/shirt/socks in case we’re stranded without our luggage – so it will do double-duty, or something. I really just want to make some blankets. I am also hoping that the “look! It’s your SPECIAL BLANKET” thing will cause each child to instantaneously drift off to sleep for nine hours across the Atlantic.
It could happen.
Anyway – this is what’s been on my mind lately, along with about 100 other things, including “if I blog about my France trip are all my friends going to write me off as the one percent who wear gold-plated diapers, even my friends who themselves wear gold-plated diapers?” You know who you are.
As for #7, go for it. It... } – 
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I’ll no doubt have other ideas, but here’s a thought or two:
I’d put your older ones in charge of their own snacks + activities + blanket in their packs. That’s less for you to be rooting around for and doling out, and I’ve found kids that age like to budget their “fun” things and even their snacks. Could they also carry their own iPhone thingys? My girls loved taking photos on the plane.
I sure hope you blog about your France trip. I mean, it’s not like you’ve kept it a secret, so we might as well see how fun it turned out to be! I have found it tricky to live-blog as I go on a trip, but ymmv. Amy does a great job but she’s faced some connection logistics issues. If you don’t blog from France, some posts after the fact will be great!
Last things first–as tempting as it is to load up the kids’ back packs with everything they need, make sure they try on their backpacks, loaded, and see how long they can walk around and stand with them on. Then remove stuff when they whine.
I think you might be able to get a small backpack for Paul to carry his own few things. Myles has carried a backpack on planes since he was two and a half, and even Brigid before she was two.
Brain Quests are fun a portable.
Sticker books are time-consuming for younger kids, and I hold on to these when I can’t keep my eyes open one more minute but the kids are still going strong.
I also look for books that, if I have to read aloud, are busy with pictures & text so I can stretch the reading. Dinosaur ABC was a big hit with both my kids, as well as the Magic School Bus picture books.
I allow a few zippies (like <a href="http://www.containerstore.com/shop?productId=10005003&N=&Nao=40&Ntt=zipper" these, but I buy them in China so they are much cheaper tho of lower quality) of play at your seat toys. Myles has packed a bag of knights, and then a bag of cars, and a bag of trains. Brigid a bag of fairies and a bag of her own trains. In each bag keep an index card that tells you what is supposed to be in the bag.
We just got portable games from thinkfun! for Christmas and they travel well and were time well-spent. The games we have are Chocolate fix and Tipover, and both come in little bags.
I asked Myles if he had anything to add. He recommends strongly against Legos. He also reminded me that he loves this new discovery of his, Doodle Books .
Several pairs of extra underwear. And extra socks. Even if everyone is going in sandals, their feet might get cold on the plane.
And a scarf for yourself to cover up everything you and they spill down your front on the plane.
try this on your sign instead: “Pardonnez-moi, s’il vous plait. Je ne parle francais tres bien. Il y a des Euros!”
Bring earplugs so short people can sleep on the plane.
Bonne chance, mon ami. You and the Speedlets will have an awesome time. And I am so totally jealous right now.
Earplanes (kid size) for the 4 year old, gum for the older two. Decongestants, in case anyone has to fly back with a cold/allergies that stuffs up the ears (this is excruciatingly painful, ask me how I know). Shoes that the four year old can put on and pull off easily – David wore his boots when we flew to Kentucky last March and that worked very well for going through airport security.
Wet wipes, and plenty of them. Ibprofin for adults & littles. Check and see if your seats have charging capabilities, and what cables you would need. Plenty of movies on an iPad-esque device, books on kindles, etc. Coloring books and sketchbooks and colored pencils (Sargent makes short ones that pack great, you can find them at Hobby Lobby in the art supplies)a nd a wee pencil sharpener – something that caps so you don’t spill shavings all over.
Get a backpack for the four year old, he might behave better if he gets to carry a backpack with his stuff like everyone else. I bet David will loan his hiking pack, if you decide you need one in a hurry.
Eeek, it’s nearly go time (you wanted me to say that, right?) I hope you and the kidlets have an amazing time en France and tell us all about it!