Any tips? It looks like I will be flying to L.A. (probably a 3-4 hour flight) with a 4 year old and a 9 month old by myself . We'll meet my husband in L.A. and he will fly home with me.

Any suggestions?

Well...some things that have worked for me when my kids were small...

Having some new small toys (even maybe wrapping them) to dole out at certain intervals or all at the same time - whatever works. Just depends on your kids personality. When my kids were small, I'd pack up a backpack with all new things for trips - new crayons, new coloring book, coloring paper, a new book, sm containers of play-doh, other small toy items that I had purchased. They wouldn't know it was all new stuff til we were in the air. Obviously that will work better for your 4 year old than your 9 month old.

With the baby, hopefully you can just strap him/her into their carseat and they'll be happy with toys you have, snacks etc

I would take snacks to have that your kids like (or even ones they're not normally allowed to have)...maybe a laptop or portable DVD player, if you think your kids(s) would be interested in that.

I really don't have any suggestions but am wishing you good luck.

I do the portable dvd player! that helps alot with my 3 year old

I always bring an extra change of clothes in case someone gets sick. Not nice, but it does happen, not to me though thank god!

New toys are the best.

My dd bought a new coloring book that had a special marker that made the pages turn what ever color they were suppose to be, that really kept her entertained

Ask the flight attendents if they have anything. On our last flight they had coloring postcards. She liked to do that and then got to send it to daddy when we got to grandmas house!

HTH! good luck!

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married 8 years to a crazy Brit, mommy to a banana, she is 4 and a pineapple who is 11 months, mommy to 3 ~angel~ babies

4 year old. toys activities many small ones. lots of snacks.

9 month old. I always at this age packed extra diapers just in case.
brought extra clothes in a zip lock bag (squeeze air out) zip lock bag reused for pood through clothes or yucky clothes.

little toys. extra paci if they have them.
anitbacterial wipes to wipe down the whole area... tables, arms rest, window area.

also if you use a saile nose spray with your kids before and during the flight it will make them less likley to get sick .

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Do you have a lap top you can bring or borrow one so the 4 year old can watch movies? What about a Leap Pad or Leapster? Coloring books, books, smaller new toys.

Good luck!

Well it looks like my 15 year old niece will go so that will help! Of course that leaves me with a teenage girl! Maybe I should start a thread on that.

But thank you. I will still use these suggestions!

Ship stuff ahead. It is hard enough dealing with two small children without having to lug a suitcase or two to the check-in. Either check the carseats and ship the clothes ahead, or ship the carseats and check the clothes.

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"Poor people work for their money. Rich people make their money work for them."

I have flown alone with my son many times. I visit my parents by myself once a year and plan to keep going once the baby is born. My best piece of advice is to check everything you possibly can. Anything you carry on youve gotta carry. Have your 4 year old carry his belongings in a back pack and you carry every thing else in a backpack. Check the car seat and stroller. Thats the WORST mistake I ever made flying. You have to hold baby, fold up stroller, lift it and place it on security belt. NO ONE will help you. LOL I would bring a front carrier or sling, you'll still have to take the baby out of it though to go through security, but its much easier.