How to Make Airplane Flights Fun

We've all experienced flights where toddlers or babies provide earsplitting, uh, entertainment. It's no fun. The baby hurts (otherwise she wouldn't be crying), the parents are mortified, and the other passengers run the gamut from irritated to irate. Everyone wants the little one to be quiet.

Fortunately, you do not have to be this parent. You CAN help make flying an enjoyable experience.

Sophie loves to fly. She never cries; she laughs or chatters or sleeps the whole time. usually our fellow passengers give us wary glances at the start of the flight and end the flight with the compliment, "Wow, Sophie is the best traveler. She had fun. And you are doing a great job, Mom."

So what's the secret? Think like your baby. Anticipate her needs. Turn the flight into an adventure.

1. Prepare your child for the flight before you go.
An airplane flight can be a terrific adventure. About a week before we go, I gather whatever materials we have around about our destination, and about the flight itself. Pin up a map on a wall and look at it several times a day. Check out a story or a travel guidebook from teh library and look at the pictures together. Find pictures of your destination or of airplanes on the Internet. Point out airplanes in the sky and say that in X days, we will be flying to X destination. Point out foods that might be found at the destination (i.e. At Grandma's house, there is a lemon tree. In Sicily, we will eat pasta.) Don't worry if she doesn't fully understand--you're setting the tone that something special and different is going to happen.

2. Once at the airport, explain everything to your child as it happens.
Getting from the car or bus to the gate is a learning experience in itself. Fortunately, you can help you child understand what's happening and feel calm--and buy yourself some compassion from fellow travelers--if you explain every little step of the trip to your baby.

This means: at the check-in line, point out different types and colors of luggage. Look at what other travelers are wearing. Explain that the porters are taking the suitcases to the airplanes. explain that the agent is typing in your names into the computer, and show your child the keyboard. Play with the luggage ID tag. Explain what will happen at security, and that we need to be safe. Your baby is probably taking in all this data, anyway, so it's a chance to help clarify what she sees (and it makes the time pass quicker). Talk, talk, talk. Say what you see.

Sophie likes to hold the passports and boarding passes. This is fine in line or in the stroller, places where there is no danger of losing the documents. It gives her a sense of responsibility. We look at them again and again while waiting t ocheck in or go through security.

3. Eat something at the airport
Airport food is expensive and often dull at best. But! Eating a bagel or bowl of soup in an airport restaurant is 1) a treat that marks the flight as something special, 2) a good way to pass the extra time, and 3) staves off hunger pains once in flight. Toddlers burn up lots of calories, and they are processing all the sights and sounds of the airport. You also can do a diaper change afterward on a comfortable changing table rather than in the cramped airplane head.

I have fond memories of eating saimen in the United terminal at the Los Angeles airport. Little did I know how clever my parents were!

4. Board early, if possible. Reserve bulkhead seating, especially on long or international flights.
If you have unassigned seating, do what it takes to get on the plane early so you can get good seats. Every airline has its own policy about how to board, so check it our when you purchase your tickets.

The seats over the wing have the least amount of turbulance. It's noisier in the rear of the plane, behind the turbines. Window seats have good views.

Bulkhead seats are the ones behind the galley. While you can't stow backpacks under the seats in front of you (because there are no seats in front of you!), you gain ample leg room, which translates into a little play area or a place for baby to kick. If flying international, this is where the flight attendants will hook up a baby bed for children up to one year old, sometimes older depending on the airline and how nice you are. Seriously. Politeness often goes a LONG way.

We've flown on many major and minor carriers, and my favorite, hands-down, is Lufthansa. Time and time again, we were treated as if Sophie was the most important person in the world (which she is, to us). We always got the bulkhead seats. We were upgraded to business class at no extra charge. The flight attendants played with her so we could eat. The food was good. They brought her a toy and hooked up baby beds. The flight attendants always smiled when we walked through the cabin to the end of the airplane, and said hello to her.

Sometimes Lufthansa is a little more expensive, but on long-distance flights, the cost differential is worth the quality of service. I could bore you with horror stories about the so-called service from some other airlines, but suffice to say, we won't fly on American or United if at all possible.

5. Bring three pacifiers.
Babies and toddlers need to suck on something during take-off and landing to help stabilize the pressure in their ears. This is not the time to impress your peers with a pacifier-weaned child. They won't care. They'll appreciate that Little One is happily chomping away on the paci and not screaming.

Bring three, in case one falls on the floor. You'll then have two back ups.

During take-off and landing, breast fed babies can latch on. The sucking helps the ear pressure, and the closeness to Mom is a sense of security. Airplane seats are discreet.

6. Bring a goodie bag of toys, including your child's all-time favorite buddy.
We have a special travel bag for train- and airplane-friendly toys. It soesn't need to be a lot, but enough to keep your child entertained. Here are some suggestions:
* crayons and a coloring book
* Duplo animals
* Memory cards, or cards to find pairs
* your child's all-time favorite toy, no matter how big or small. We NEVER leave without Pink Bunny, a five-inch stuffed rabbit; we've also flown with Triver, a three-foot stuffed Golden Retriever.
* about five small books of varying story lengths. Flights are perfect for snuggling and reading.

Other forms of entertainment:
* Finger games: counting, This is the Church, finger puppets
* Where's the Pretzel? Hide the pretzel in one hand and Little One looks for it.
* Peek-a-Boo, with you or the people in surrounding seats if they are friendly. They'll let you know.

7. Bring a snack bag
You can take food on the airplane. Beverages are iffy, better to fill up your bottle or buy a bottle of water once past security. Here are some flight-friendly snacks:
* sliced apple
* tangerines
* individual tubs of apple sauce or yogurt (be careful when opening!)
* pre-wrapped cheese sticks
* fruit bars
* pretzels or goldfish crackers
* brotchen or whole grain rolls
* salami

Remember to include TWO bibs, a spoon, and a napkin. Fill up a bottle with water once you clear security.

8. How to enjoy the flight
This is an exciting adventure for Little One. The trick is to have a positive attitude, and make it fun.
* Tone setting: Explain what is going on. Look out the window together (and let the little one sit by the window) and point out the landforms. Point out the flight attendant, peek it at the pilots while boarding, show how the other passengers all sit or stow their luggage. Explain, explain, explain. This will help your child understand what is going on and probably feel less overwhelmed.
*Browse the in-flight magazines, and find photos of animals or airplanes or whatever your child is interested in on that day. We hunt for palm trees, cats, whatever. As your child what she thinks is going on in the photos. You'll be surprised.
* Walk to the galleys at the front and rear of the planes. Kids need to move. There's only so far you can go, so get up and walk. Sophie used to way "good morning" to all the passengers. Once at the galley, flight attendants often like to say hello to children, if they are not busy.
* Check in with your child. Ash how she is doing. If it's close to her usual snack time, ask if she's hungry or thirsty.
* Keep hydrated. Bring your own water bottle, and order a juice for your child.
* Eat, eat, eat. Crunchy snacks help keep tummies full and balance ear pressure.
* Make friends with other children on the plane. They will find each other. It's exciting for them to see--gasp!--someone else is going to Sicily, too! And they have Gummibears to share!
8 Play peek-a-boo over the seats, if the people behind you are friendly. They'll let you know.

A wise mother once told me that she let her children eat as much as they wanted, and could listen to whatever music they wanted or even watch the movies. This is sage advice. While toddlers are not ready for TV or headphones, they are eating machines. Whatever it takes to get through the flight.

9. Most of all, have fun.
Talk about what is happening with your child, even if you are tired. Make it special. Enjoy the flight. Let the little one get some attention.

Western Sicily: Scopello & the Tonnara di Scopello

Scopello is the quintessential romantic sleepy Italian town. Think cobblestone streets, charming villas, flowers and dozing dogs, all around a central baglio and fountain. The town is small--three streets--and is perched atop a cliff overlooking a gorgeous stretch of coastline. It's perfect for couples or travelers seeking a lovely respite from the noisy chaos of life. Several films have been shot in Scopello, including Ocean's 12.

What makes Scopello worthy of a trip is spending a day at the beautiful little swimming cove below. Nestled between two rocky outcrops is a serene cove with clear, calm blue waters. It's also the site of a former tonnara--tuna fishery--where visitors can sunbathe on the concrete slabs and explore the grounds. It's gorgeous. Bring a picnic lunch, some bottled water, and your swim suit; this is a special place.

Sophie story:
What a pretty place, and no mosquitos! Mom and Dad tried to get me to go in the ocean at Tuna Beach (the tonnara), but I didn't want to swim. It was fun chasing the tan and white kitty around the old rusty anchors. She was fast! Then another girl and I made "Mouse Soup" with the flavorful rocks and stones. We dumped it over the "cliff" into the water--splash! We picnicked under a fig tree. In town, the bakery was really really good, and there were lots of colors, textures and kitties everywhere.

Mom's story:
Swimming in the warm, salty cove was a heavenly. I floated, feeling every ounce of stress wash away with the gentle waves. There's something healing and special about the Mediterranean, and this cove was perfect. I swam to a large outcrop of rocks, looked back, and couldn't believe the beauty--the faded tonnara tucked between cliffs, the blue sky, the relaxed travelers taking in the sun. Sophie and Dan played on the landing. This swim was a refreshing moment for me to relax and just be.

Thinking like a kid:
There's no beach at the tonnara, but lots to explore. A wonderful place to swim. Bring goggles or even a snorkle to check out the fish. A vending machine sells sodas and coffees, and the bathrooms have flush toilets, sinks and showers.

Parents of young children and toddlers: keep an eye open as the tonnara is not a place to let the little bear wander unsupervised. It's quiet, a place to swim, sun bathe, read or use your imagination to create games. But it is beautiful, and worthy of a visit.

Back in the village of Scopello, stop at the bakery for delicious iris (puffy bread with chocolate or pistachio filling), cannoli (fried crust with sweet ricotta filling) or melt-in-your-mouth pizza. The coffee drinkers will be satisfied with the cappuccino, and there are lots of gelato flavors.

We lunched at La Terasse, which had good seafood and a terrific view...but all that was lost on us as Sophie decided that she needed to play peek-a-boo behind the vacant tables and organize some wayward stones on the terrace (not a good choice for toddlers). There are good restaurants in the baglio (farmhouse-fortress), and the large central courtyard is perfect for children to run around. In the summer, check out the open-air concerts.

More info: http://www.italyheaven.co.uk/sicily/scopello.html