Flying alone with an 18 month old and 3 year old?

[mariegal]

I just did this with my two (15 mo and 3 yrs). It wasn't a picnic, but it wasn't the worst thing ever. I brought my double stroller and gate checked it. I brought plenty of snacks and I carried all my stuff in a backpack for ease in managing tickets or wayward toddlers. Our flight was 3 hours with no layovers.
I wouldn't hassle with the carseats if your mom has some already.

[mkrisel]

I haven't done it, but a friend recently flew longer than that with a 6 month old and a 2.5 year old. It is doable! I have flown lots with my 2.5 year old. People are super helpful going through security! I had labour 5-6 bags, a stroller, and dd with no problems. That would be the least of my worries. And airlines let you board first since you have little ones. We have never taken a car seat on the plan. I showed her the fasten seatbelt sign and explained that when the light was on, she had to stay in her seat. And she had to stay in for about 2 hours. A Rolling suitcase handle can be put on your stroller handle if it has separate handles to give you another free hand. Depending on how your 3 year old does walking and staying close, you can use his seat of the stroller to hold stuff and have him walk too.
Good luck and sorry for your loss!

[Hands&Fire Pottery]

I just flew with my 6 M old and my 3 year old (well 4 years tomorrow), and it worked okay even with being super delayed. I did have our double stroller, but it was loaded with carseats and my son was in the carrier. I also keep things kind of on the light side with carryons- boarding the plane is the trickiest part as you can't bring your stroller on.

For security, try to arrange things on the belt so your stroller goes through first- that way you can load everything on as it comes off the belt. Kiddoes no longer need to take off their shoes. If you wear the baby, they give you the option to walk through with baby in carrier, but I have found that they pat you down in between baby and carrier, so I don't wear any babies through anymore. They will need to test your sippies, but it is worth it to have drinks for the airport. On the plane they give you cups with lids and straws sometimes, but they spill easily.

If you fly with Southwest, you can have a seat for a lap baby if they have any spares. They also have no change fees for tickets, so if your kid gets an ear infection from cousins, you can just rebook a date that works- have had to do this more than once before.

I don't normally use the leash backpack things, but found them handy when I had a child who was pretty active in the airport and I was pregnant.

The main things that help me are bringing plenty of tasty snacks, and knowing that at some point, the day will end no matter how hard the traveling is and it will be over with.

[andrea0324]

Lots of snacks and new (or at least that haven't been played with recently) toys and you'll be fine! Your idea of a good layover is great...my girls still prefer to fly through Juneau (halfway between Anchorage and Portland) when we go visit Gma as it breaks up the flight a bit and they can stretch their legs!

[EmilytheStrange]

You are not crazy. My friend just flew alone with an almost 3yo (the most strong willed kid I've met) and a 17month old. He might have been 16months - whatever.

You can do it. She said that she borrowed some of those backpack leashes from a friend and that was the lifesaver. Lots of snacks, small toys, etc and you'll be fine.

[Docs Wife]

I have flown with both of mine alone. One thing to look into is having someone go through security with you to help manage the kids. My DH did not fly with us but the airline gave him a gate pass so that he could get through security and help me with the kids at the gate.

Sent from my HTC_Amaze_4G using DS Forum

[turtledance]

You will be fine. I have flown several times with my two alone. (now ages 5 and 2). We always have had layovers and except for the last time when i brought a seat for my two year old on the plane, I have always flown without carseats. My kids always seem to do really well and my stress was for nothing.

[Logans Mommy]

I flew 5.5 hours cross country with my 4.5 year old, 2.5 year old and 10 month old just last week. Lots of snacks and sit a few rows from the back to make bathroom trips easier worked best for me. I had a 2 hour delay ON the plane before take off in CA and a 2.5 hour delay before getting on the plane in Md (but already at the airport), so they were some really long flights but my kids actually did great. Everyone napped at somepoint both ways, the baby had the hardest time getting to sleep b/c of all that was going on.

I have always flown before with 1 carseat, but this time skipped that and had seats for all 3 kids waiting at my parents. I was not lugging them around the airport.