Q. I have two year old quadruplets and I'm going to take them on a trip for a couple months to visit my parents and other family members who live overseas. We're flying from Seattle to Tel Aviv (Israel). My husband will be with us on the flights there but I'm worried about how we're going to handle four two year olds on such a long flight. I've never taken them on an airplane at all before. I really don't want them to get out of hand on the airplanes and disrupt the other passangers. They are sweet girls but they can be active and are not used to sitting in one place for so long so I'm not sure how this will go and I'm a little nervous. Do any of you have any suggestions on ways to keep my girls occupied/entertained and quiet for several hours at a time?.....They do like some movies but then again they get disinterested after awhile
Answer
Whoa! That's very brave of you. Mazel Tov on your multiple blessings. You've dive bombed into parenthood but bravo for not letting it keep you at home!
Actually, strictly speaking, you're in better shape than I am. I fly between Europe and California about twice a year alone with my three kids, since each was 4 months old. If there are two of you, that makes two children per adult, vs. my three, but the difference is that I had mine one at a time, pretty closely spaced but still...
As a Flight Attendant, I saw many parents flying alone with multiples or closely spaced siblings over my 13 years. It can be done! Just be really prepared.
I assume you have the passports sorted out already. Get some books on flying. Go get some at the library and talk to them about it.
The scariest part for kids is not the planes but security. I usually found both with my kids and my little passengers loved the actual flying part but the security, especially now and especially with Israel, can be intimidating. Here's the TSA's page on this subject;
http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/children/index.shtm
Talk them through this process and warn them that they might have to take their shoes off (perhaps choose footwear with this in mind on the day). Tell them that the people might talk to you for awhile and that they should be good.
I'm not sure how you want to organize the gear but I would actually recommend taking two single strollers and two baby carriers of some sort (back pack, Ergo, something like that). Toddlers tend to change their minds a lot so you'd have the option of letting them walk, ride and then have the back carriers if you really need them. These fold up tight and are easy to bring. A twin mom at our school finds her Ergo super-useful.
I also recommend backpack style carry-ons. Look for ones you can carry sippy cups or bottles easily in (I recommend getting all off bottles, if you haven't already, before leaving).
Practice how to haul the gear at home first, on the porch or in the garage before leaving.
I usually heavily recommend using car seats onboard but with four children, this might not be too practical. Can you arrange car seats in Israel through relatives? I don't recommend using any from car rental companies. I had a bad experience and I'm not alone.
What you might want to do is get these;
http://www.kidsflysafe.com/
They're kind of expensive at $75 but I've seen them rented on Ebay. I would say that for such a big trip, the expense might be jusified in your case and then sell them yourself on Ebay when your daughters outgrow them.
Just some other odd tips;
-Try to sit in the "bulkhead" seats, those with a wall in front.
-Bring about 1/3 more diapers than you think you'll need...at least! Put them in plastic bags, make at least two "packages" and wrap them with rubber bands to pack them more easily.
-Learn to change them standing up. Practice at home first! This will make it easier and faster, plus, you wont have to search around for baby changers. Toddlers hate to lie down in strange places and I use the handicapped lavs instead.
-Bring changes of clothes, even an extra T-shirt for you. Do the same trick with the plastic bags and rubber bands to save space in your bag.
-Bring a lot of snacks. Don't worry about security. If it's not allowed, they simply take it from you. I've never had this happen.
-Bring empty sippy cups to use onboard, or empty them before security.
-If any of them still use bottles, bring the kind with disposable liners. Airplanes have bad sinks for washing bottles.
-Make sure the bottles don't have to be warmed. It's not necessary and pain to do while travelling in general.
-Consider ordering special meals. Kids usually hate the standard fare. Kosher (what we order although we're not that religious) is pretty kid-friendly.
-Bring a bungee cord for each stroller and double secure them before handing them over at the door of the aircraft.
-Have each carry a backpack and let them pick their favorite toys and stuffed animals to put in them. Edit what they bring for security and practical reasons.
-Bring brand new toys to surprise them with onboard. These keep them occupied. They don't have to be expensive.
-If you opt to use a portable DVD player, make sure they're used to wearing the earphones, or can watch it without sound. Get a DVD player with at least 5 hours play time. Learn to turn the screen light down to save battery life and bring the recharger and appropriate converter to recharge on your layover.
-Coloring stuff keeps them occupied for ages. Stickers are usually winners too.
You can get up and move around during the flight but please try to do so after the meal service. Always keep an eye on them. Those carts are heavy and are just above a toddler's head. We simply couldn't see them so please be careful. If turbulence hits while you're up, don't return to your seat unless it's safe and close enough to do so. If it's really rough, consider sitting on the floor! Same with the restroom (ugh! but better that than injured).
Many flying tips say to make the child suck on something or drink during take-off and landing. This isn't accurate. ENT specialists say to have the child awake about an hour before landing (top of descent, landing or touch-down is too late). I can confirm that is when I saw problems at work. Take your children to the doctor in the last few days before you fly to make sure their ears are clear and infection-free. Heathy ears can handle pressurization changes.
If any of your girls fall asleep during take-off, there is no reason to wake them. Please don't worry!
About eight years ago I wrote an article for a local expat newsletter. This is entirely non-commercial information and I have both the practical and professional experience of working on board airplanes and have been to Israel six times, but unfortunately, all pre-babies. An ex-coworker works at the new Ben Gurion and says it's great so I hope that makes your arrival easier.
http://flyingwithchildren.blogspot.com
My contact info is at the back and just get a lot of sleep the night before!
Good luck.
neeed help for bio proejct idea?!?!?
Ryannn3434
I got assigned a project for bio in which you need to find a some special characteristic an animal has and someone make it into some device we humans can use. Some examples are:
~Penguin Feathers:Jacket insulation in military uniforms
~Velcro:Original design derived from burrs sticking to clothes
~Mosquito mouth:Use as tip in needle so needles are painless.
I have NO idea what to do. does anyone have any good ideas????
Answer
"A wonderful bird is a pelican,
His bill will hold more than his belican."
Here's a good one for you--think of the pelican's beak, which stretches to whatever size is needed as it scoops up water and fish.
So...if you're packing to go on a trip, how about a soft rubbery suitcase that expands to fit the stuff you want to take--or the souvenirs you want to bring back!
Or a backpack--on days when homework is light, it's fairly small but when you've got tons of it, the backpack stretches to hold all your extra books.
Or shopping bags that stretch.
Or strollers and baby carriers that stretch to accommodate twins, but shrink when the next kid's a loner.
You could take the comparison a step further: pelican beaks expand as they take a gulf of water and fish, and then they act as a strainer, so the water drains out and the fish remain.
How about a stretchy colander or strainer to use in the kitchen--it stretches out pretty large as you strain pasta for 8, but stays small if you're draining a small amount.
Hope that works for you!
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