Flyin Solo with My 2 Daughters (2Yo and 4Yo)

Try to only bring things you really need...

I don't know you're situation, but if you do have a hubby or b/f around, The airport will give him a "pass" to help get you to the gate.
At least they have for me every time I've traveled alone with my son.

i find bringing as little as possible is the best way to travel. bringing too much may compromise your ability to keep the kids safe and entertained. if not entertained, even good ones may get restless, do something out of boredom, or who knows. every rental car agency has car seats to rent and I believe there is a site that rents things to parents for babies/kids like strollers, seats, etc. I fly a lot too but never alone. My child loves and we will be going on a 9 hour flight soon, one way! So what I recommend is to bring a bag of toys, new and some of their favorites that can be stuffed under the plane seat. Hopefully, someone will meet you at the airport once you get there but if not I am sure you will be fine. Remember the children take their cues from you so think and act fun adventure! I try to let my kids be involved as much as possible even in the packing. Keep in min that my daughter packs the most outrageous toys but even when I pack her favorites she hardly plays with them. Think snacks (maybe even a treat that makes it "special"), a portable dvd is a wonder (you can get lots of suitable movies on Ebay or buy used at half.com!), and some players even come with two earphone jacks!-- although my kid never puts them on! I once flew with her when she was 16 months and I remember she was more fascinated with the plastic cup the steward gave her than anything else! What I am trying to say is, you can plan but believe me the best thing to do is relax, have a good time, and think about how & what will entertain! Also bring a light sweater, my daughter is always cold!
Problems you will encounter are at the security check in where the portable devices, cell phones, shoes, and so forth must be checked separately which means unpacking it and repacking it so think about placement when you go to pack. it helps to be organized. also, the no liquid rule is a pain but you can buy milk, juic, and so forth on the other side of security. many airlines will let parents with small kids board early. i never do this as it gives them more walking around time, running in a circle. if you can walk as much as possible before boarding to tire them out a bit! another problem will be the potty, both on the airline and off where you will drag everything around. i hope all this helps!

I would check the carseats (they are free by the way - they don't count as "baggage"). I flew in April by myself when my son was 6.5 months old and my daughter was 2.5. I did not use/need a carseat on the plane with my daughter and my son sat on my lap. I used a stroller for my son (gate checked) and my daughter walked. I felt it was better for her to walk around since she would be strapped on the plane I also checked my bags outside so when I got dropped off I didnt have to carry them anywhere - the guys helped me as well as my mom - she was the one that dropped me off. As far as the plane, for my 2.5 yr old she pretty much just watched a movie - I got her a new one she had not seen before. She had a snack, read some books and that was it! The flight was about 2.5 hours. I worried just as you are weeks before and in the end it really wasnt that hard - just dont be afraid to ask from help from the baggage guys to the stewards on the plane to anyone that offers it! Good luck and safe travels.

You not insane.......First thing, when you get to the airport, get one of those carrier things on wheels to help with everything. As for the plain, snacks, fish crackers, etc.....and some kind of toy to play with..........

I think using your own car seats are better, but I'm sure some of the other Moms will be able to help with that.

Take a deep breath, write yourself a list, make notes, and YOU will be fine. And so will the girls...

Take care and good luck.

http://www.amazon.com/Go-Go-Babyz-QRKIDZ-Kidz-Travelmate/...

GoGo Baby saved me!! I flew with a 2 and 3 yr old just a month ago. Since 2 yr old will have to be in carseat on the flight (kids under 42lbs must have carseat FAA rules) This device is great. Its fast click in strap to carseat and off ya go! Even my 52lbs 3 yr old i flew with when sitting in this seat was ligght as a feather. Negate Carseat on flight if 4 yr old is over 42lbs. You will not be able to cary 2 carseats and 2 children and a carry on.(Walmart sells cheap boosters for 35 bucks). You can wheel it through airport but it will not fit down plane aisle with carseat attached. It folds down to be put on with carry on. Also ask attendants for help to board first so you have time to get kids on flight. Pack light with carryons! Bring small snacks and crayons and small toys/diaper/wipes make sure to have their birth certificates.. buy a cheap umbrella stroller from walmart if you need one for a vacation only 10 bucks. Remember to always go light, you can always pick up stuff at your vaca locale. It wont be bad if you do it smartly!! Good luck, send me a message on here if you need anymore help ;)

I have flown a lot over the years with my kids...all 4 of them and most of the time alone.

I would bring a car seat for your kids....and bring the one for the 2 year old on the airplane. I tried once to let my toddler sit without the car seat and he was all over the place. And the car seat makes it so much easier to nap.

I personally would never trust a car seat from a car rental place. I have seen some and they are disgusting....and there is no way to make sure they are even safe, haven't been in accidents, are put together correctly.

This is what I do. Each kid has their own little backpack full of stuff to keep them busy. It is their responsibility. I take my stroller and put my car seat in the stroller and then put the kid in the car seat to get through the airport. Yes, security is not fun....but oh well. I gate check the stroller, and bring the car seat on board. It does make for some extra work (but my stroller is combi and small/lightweight, and we have a smaller sized car seat for the airplane), but well worth it for the kid to be strapped in during the flight.

And people do help (and some give mean looks too, lol!). Check in on the curb to save you some headache with your big bags. You can do this!

When I traveled with my daughters at the time they were 3 and 1. We did not have a seat for my 1 year old, but did for my 3 year old. I checked the car seats because that was cheaper and easier for me at the time. (It was no cost to check car seats and my car seats were not damaged in any way during traveling)
However I think if I was traveling solo with two kids, I rent them from a car rental place.
Oh and yes, you can gate check a stroller, that was really helpful when in the airports with two little ones. (I just checked an umbrella stroller, easier to get in and out)

I traveled with my 2 kids then, one 1 and the girl 4 by myself and feel for you!!! but it is doable! Must airlines are very helpful with families traveling with children. I had extra help that day to carry my baby bag, stroller. Find the regulations in terms of what kind of food/drinks you can carry with you because little snacks help so much. your girls are at the age that they can enjoy coloring books/ looking at books activities. It depends how far you're going and if you need to take more than one plane. In my case we had 2 stops and had to walk a long distance between gates in Chicago going to Vermont. Use an umbrella stroller, it is light enough to carry, fold and keep with you, and send anything you won't need right away in the suitcase, it depends on how long is your stay but be as practical as you can be with yours and the girls items.
wish you the best!!!! It'll be an adventure, your oldest can be a great little helper, sharing with her sister or calming her down. God bless you! Hugs!

We rented car seats to make life easier, gate checked the strollers, invested in a portable DVD player (Lifesaver!! Make sure to get one with 2 earphone jacks) found travel art (Elmers makes travel paint that only goes on the paper) and packed many different kinds of small snakcs and several 'desert' type ones for bribery. Make use of any assistance and use the early boarding, occasionally the gate attendant will put you on first.

We talked up the plane trips for weeks, told them how to behave and offered vast rewards (in the form of stuff to do on our trip and yes...she got to pick out a toy) and I acted like it was no big deal (of course I just flew with one...but it was still frightening) She was so interested in the planes, the people and being a 'big traveling girl' that it was all great.

Good luck!

Keep in mind that if you bring carseats and you decide to bring them on the plane with you, that you will be pushing your girls in their stroller, AND lugging their carseats around. When my husband I flew with Southwest last October, in Nashville, they let us check the carseat without charging us extra. However in Salt Lake City, when we were gonna come back, the lady told us we would have to pay to have it checked. She claimed that whoever helped us in Nashville did it wrong. We just took it on the plane with us and we were fine, but then we had a transfer and our plane came in late so we were the last ones on the plane and the carseats have to be at the window in case of an emergency so they don't block the aisle. Well of course everyone wants the window seat so they were all already taken. The Stewardess announced in the cabin that someone would have to give up a seat. She said that they needed two seats. I was sooooo embarrassed. No one wanted to give one up, and we sat there for 5-10 minutes while the stewardess tried bribing people to move. Finally somebody did.

Hope this is helpful. Just try to arrive extra early whatever your decision so that you don't have to stress out while you are at the airport.