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Thursday, August 10, 2006

Tyke On a Plane

Here in the land of remedial organization, I get the worrying started early, especially when it comes to travel.

Already the terrier is enjoying his impending vacation more than I am mine. Every morning he wakes up and crawls under the bed, I'm sure to make another little "X" on his terrier calendar. He's counting down the days to the moment when he gets to spend some extended time with my parents and their terrier at what he calls "Camp Little Plates" (so named because, after dinner, my parents create tiny versions of their meals for each of the dogs and serve them with great flourishes.)

Anyway, I've been gearing up by reading a book I thought I would love but am now finding really annoying. The book involves quite a bit of travel and hiking around but the writer is constantly talking with some smugness about clever talented friends and the bright conversation they all have together while on quirky jaunts. And I think I'm just not cool enough for this crowd. I find myself rolling my eyes quite a lot and this really doesn't help me get into the spirit of travel or break me out of the (obvious) late summer misanthropy that has settled in quite firmly. No, I'm not going to name the book here because it will just prove what a complete sourpuss I am, when I'd really rather leave my sourpuss-ish-ness at the level of strong suspicion.

So in an effort to make traveling more palatable, I will ask for a bit of advice. I'll be on a couple of planes- no flight longer than two and a half hours (God willing)- and a layover with an 18-month-old. I'm taking any and all entertainment suggestions. I don't care if they're weird or obvious.

I know the general recommendation is to show kids DVDs and I'm willing to give it a shot, but I don't have much faith in the success of this plan. The Felix won't really watch television. He's been reasonably interested in weather reports and can occasionally perk up if there's some kind of image of a duck swimming in a pond on the screen, but beyond that he has no interest. Baby Einstein was a complete and total bust.

If you have any bright ideas, don't hesitate, even if they sound weird. I dread being the person everyone hates on the plane.

posted by Elise at 10:46 AM

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3 Comments:

gef said...

I just flew with a portable DVD player for the first time a couple of weeks ago and it absolutely changed flying for me--I actually read a book and listened to music! Dale watched Cinderella and almost got through Miyake's My neighbor Totoro before the charge ran out... But she is 3. Don't know if DVDs will work for young Felix, especially if he no likey Baby Einstein. Otherwise, I recommend lots and lots of snacks. And brand-new toys that he doesn't get till he gets on the airplane. If he's old enough, coloring/drawing is good. Magnadoodles and various magnet toys. Of course, in light of today's new carry-on restrictions you might just be screwed.

8/10/2006 12:37 PM

Laura K. said...

Hmmm..."Camp Little Plates." While I go away, my dogs are going to Martha's Vinyard with the people who will be taking care of them. I offered to sleep in a crate and eat kibble if I could go, too.

8/11/2006 5:28 AM

Anonymous said...

I doubt the DVD will hold his attention long enough to make it worth your taking along. I flew from North Carolina to Maui with my daughter when she was 13 months old, and then again when she was 25 months old. She was great both trips. We took: new books and familiar ones. Lots and lots of snacks that require eating one by one: little tiny crackers, grapes, etc. She likes gum, so we let her plow through several packs. Stickers. And that was about it. She was fascinated by all the people, sat the whole flight in her car seat (14 hrs total). We did not get her up and around very often, fearing that was all she would want to do. No up an ddown the aisles, it annoys people. Oh yeah, mardi gras beads. She loved them. We didn't try to entertain her the whole time, only when she got fussy. SHe took her cue from us,a nd we stayed calm. She slept 2 hours during the whole trip. A small magna doodle might entertain him as well, we love ours. I wish you the best of luck!! And have a great trip!!

8/11/2006 6:32 AM

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