Flying with Two Children - Doing it Alone!If you plan on flying with two children and you're wondering how you are going to cope? You've come to the right place.  I faced the same dilemma and survived it - here are all my top tips. Flying alone with two babies is more straight forward that you might think, honest. I was quite surprised in fact that I found it easier to travel as a solo parent than as a couple flying with two children. Strangely enough (or perhaps not!) our toddler was more work when the two of us were present than when it was just me. Yes, I had to be super organised before I flew. I planned my carry on luggage very carefully. Yes, I was petrified it would all go wrong. And yes, I barely slept the entire journey. But let's be honest, with a 3 month old baby and a toddler, when do I ever sleep?! I flew longhaul with two babies from the UK to New Zealand (with two stops, via Dubai and Australia). A total of about 30 hours fly time. In addition to the flight time, there was an hour and a half drive both before and after the flights, to and from home. As well as 2 hours (minimum) check-in time and an hour luggage and customs arrival time to take into consideration. All in, flying with two children, I needed to be completely independent with the two babies for approximately 36 hours. My primary focus when flying with two children, doing it alone, was packing my carry on luggage effectively. Whilst the content of your carry-on is more or less the same as any other flight, there are a few key differences you need to consider that influence how you pack. Firstly when you are on your own, you have no one to immediately ask 'can you grab me this or that?'. Secondly there is only you to carry everything, so less and lightweight is essential. And lastly, flying with two children to worry about, you have to really know where everything is because usually you only have one hand free (if at all!). It's just too hard to rummage about in your bag with a baby in your arms and one at foot! I had a large backpack style bag that contained everything for the baby and myself. The baby was in a 'baby bjorn carrier' at the front so I was evenly weighted and had both hands free (not pulling a trolley bag). My toddler had a small school bag on her back containing her own carry-on. Toddler carry-on.
The baby carry-on
Concerned about your baby products and airport security? Read our advice and guidance here. If you are worried about those possible melt down moments with your toddler, try to stay positive and pretend that they simply won't happen to you. Odds are, they won't be as difficult as you imagine. Especially if you make a big deal about how special, clever and grown up they are for being your special helper on the journey. My other half told our toddler that she would get an extra special present if mummy had a good report on her behaviour after the journey. I used this when she had the odd 'moment' and the phrase, 'I'll have to tell daddy you weren't a good girl' worked a treat when things were getting difficult. I made sure that whenever the baby was sleeping soundly and our toddler was awake, that I would bring out an activity and dedicate attention to her - quality one on one, even if I was shattered, I knew it would be worth the effort when later the baby would need me. I tried really hard during the flight to keep my attention divided fairly in the eyes of our toddler - who is surprisingly aware of when she has not had her quota! Toddlers are rather clever at this! Some of the great activities we had were simple little craft packs from the early learning centre. We made finger puppets with one pack, that had a glue pen in it, that any toddler finds loads of fun. The tray tables were perfect for this. Flying with two children under the age of two and want to go it alone? Plan to fly with twins? Check out the guidelines for airline travel with babies.
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