I am heading to Michigan for a week in July. On the way there my husband is coming on the same flight so he can be the Sherpa. On the way back I will be on my own with the following:
Toddler
Work Computer
Large Suitcase
Usually when I travel with Gordito on my own I just put him in the ergo, pack a back pack with necessities and use it as purse/baby baby and then check the luggage. Easy Peasy. He's getting a bit heavy for the Ergo and I will be taking an umbrella stroller and I will have the laptop case. How do I manage all this on my own? Am I crazy? Should i maybe just go with a backpack and put the laptop in the protective sleeve? The big carry case is kind of overwhelming.
I will be working part time on my "vacation". The joys of modern motherhood....
Husband has to fly back a few days earlier for work and I am going to stay longer so Grandpa can help wrangle while I work.
Can you get an umbrella stroller with a basket to help carry stuff? If your backpack can fit the laptop and your stuff I would do that- it will free up your hands to push the stroller and the suitcase.
Can you get an umbrella stroller with a basket to help carry stuff? If your backpack can fit the laptop and your stuff I would do that- it will free up your hands to push the stroller and the suitcase.
I am on the hunt for a good umbrella stroller that my husband won't freak out about the price. If you have any suggestions please send my way! I really want a G-Lite, because I am tall, but that's not gonna happen. they are $180 : ( My price range is closer to $100.00 I've started looking at resale shops but so far no luck.
Trust, me I've thought about it. We do red-eye flights so he sleeps and offer who ever gets stuck in front of us and next to us a ****tail. No one has ever let me buy them one, but it instills lots of good will.
My best travel tip with a little one is bring lots and lots of wipes.
I don't have any advice about juggling baby and luggage alone, but do free up your hands if it's possible.
Good luck!
Can you get an umbrella stroller with a basket to help carry stuff? If your backpack can fit the laptop and your stuff I would do that- it will free up your hands to push the stroller and the suitcase.
I am on the hunt for a good umbrella stroller that my husband won't freak out about the price. If you have any suggestions please send my way! I really want a G-Lite, because I am tall, but that's not gonna happen. they are $180 : ( My price range is closer to $100.00 I've started looking at resale shops but so far no luck.
I hear you. I am not that tall (5'6'') and it is still hard to get an umbrella stroller that is tall enough.
Facebook resale pages?
Or here- This is the stroller I have (I got mine on a facebook page brand new for $80) but it looks like they have discontinued selling them individually and only sell as a set with the carseat now. But Amazon still has them and the price is $139.99 (originally $180) with a 15% discount if you use CHICCO15 at checkout. So that will make it about $120- and if you have Prime it's free shipping!
Can you get an umbrella stroller with a basket to help carry stuff? If your backpack can fit the laptop and your stuff I would do that- it will free up your hands to push the stroller and the suitcase.
I am on the hunt for a good umbrella stroller that my husband won't freak out about the price. If you have any suggestions please send my way! I really want a G-Lite, because I am tall, but that's not gonna happen. they are $180 : ( My price range is closer to $100.00 I've started looking at resale shops but so far no luck.
I hear you. I am not that tall (5'6'') and it is still hard to get an umbrella stroller that is tall enough.
Facebook resale pages?
Or here- This is the stroller I have (I got mine on a facebook page brand new for $80) but it looks like they have discontinued selling them individually and only sell as a set with the carseat now. But Amazon still has them and the price is $139.99 (originally $180) with a 15% discount if you use CHICCO15 at checkout. So that will make it about $120- and if you have Prime it's free shipping!
I wear cross-body purses so my hands are free to hold my boys' hands.
Allow plenty of time, and make him walk? Put a leash on him, tethered to your wrist or suitcase? Put the computer in the backpack or cross-body, and check the large suitcase. If Gordito has his own seat, he gets his own carry-on and personal item.
I'm exhausted just thinking about this. I didn't fly with my boys until they were old enough to pull their own darned suitcases. LOL They are really good at traveling, too. It's probably the one time they follow directions without whining.
Get a lightweight umbrella stroller from Kmart or Walmart. 30 bucks maybe. They pop open with a kick and collapse just as easy when unlocked.
Can you put the laptop in your suitcase?
Or use a harness and leash. He walks. You have one less thing to deal with.
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A flock of flirting flamingos is pure, passionate, pink pandemonium-a frenetic flamingle-mangle-a discordant discotheque of delirious dancing, flamboyant feathers, and flamingo lingo.
Are you buying him a ticket? If so - he gets his own carry-on bag.
Lap baby. Probably last time. Since we are flying out at 10 pm he'll sleep the entire time on my lap ( at least that's the plan) This was so much easier when I could just strap him to me and call it a day.
Get a lightweight umbrella stroller from Kmart or Walmart. 30 bucks maybe. They pop open with a kick and collapse just as easy when unlocked.
Can you put the laptop in your suitcase?
Or use a harness and leash. He walks. You have one less thing to deal with.
Laptop needs to be carried. I don't trust baggage handlers to not break it or steal it.
He can't walk yet on his own through an airport. He's a toddler and there is too much commotion. He would just get scared and freak out. Although, trust me I am all about that leash when he is ready.
Check with the airlines. Some airlines will allow an umbrella stroller, safety seat, and diaper bag with a non-ticketed non seat occupying child in addition to your carry-on and personal item.
Check with the airlines. Some airlines will allow an umbrella stroller, safety seat, and diaper bag with a non-ticketed non seat occupying child in addition to your carry-on and personal item.
A flock of flirting flamingos is pure, passionate, pink pandemonium-a frenetic flamingle-mangle-a discordant discotheque of delirious dancing, flamboyant feathers, and flamingo lingo.
Lily ~
Actually that is a workable plan - FedEx or UPS next day delivery - Grandpa can handle the pick-up on his end, and you will be there to accept it the next day.
Trust, me I've thought about it. We do red-eye flights so he sleeps and offer who ever gets stuck in front of us and next to us a ****tail. No one has ever let me buy them one, but it instills lots of good will.
Yes! They do that all the time in Japan. It is quite popular to have the delivered to your airport.
And it's easier than mailing the kid.
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A flock of flirting flamingos is pure, passionate, pink pandemonium-a frenetic flamingle-mangle-a discordant discotheque of delirious dancing, flamboyant feathers, and flamingo lingo.
I would try and fit all of your carry on stuff into one back pack. Or one back pack and one bag (or large purse) that you can hang on the stroller handles or put in the basket. That way your hands are free to push the stroller through the airport. The only time it will be difficult is when you also have to pull your large suitcase to and from the airport.
Aren't there concierge service at these airports? Can't they help with kind of thing?
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A flock of flirting flamingos is pure, passionate, pink pandemonium-a frenetic flamingle-mangle-a discordant discotheque of delirious dancing, flamboyant feathers, and flamingo lingo.
Are you buying him a ticket? If so - he gets his own carry-on bag.
Lap baby. Probably last time. Since we are flying out at 10 pm he'll sleep the entire time on my lap ( at least that's the plan) This was so much easier when I could just strap him to me and call it a day.
OK - I had to travel back and forth to Michigan with Baby J quite a bit. Get the sleeve for your laptop and slip it in diaper bag - a good size diaper bag will be the best carry-on with all its pockets, plus a good size purse for you. Put a couple of different activities in cosmetic bag type bags for organization - you can just grab one out. Get him a couple of board books with texture, because he'll like the story and like touching them - so double duty. Fuzzy, fuzzy, fuzzy by Sandra Boynton is a good one.
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LawyerLady
I can explain it to you, but I can't understand it for you.
Don't buy anything new. Use your largest carry on for everything including the laptop. You can buy a good stroller through a local FB yard sale site. Get on that now. Make sure the carry on is on wheels. I juggled a stroller, Large suit case and carry on and ran through O'Hare, you can do this. You are younger than me. Peeing is a problem though.
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Sometimes you're the windshield, and sometimes you're the bug.
I second the FB thing. After joining a few of the sites I would never buy anything brand new again. (Baby related) Babies stay little a short time and things just don't get used. If you are not a total nasty person your stuff stays nice. You can buy almost brand new stuff for a fraction of the price. People get really excited when they have their first baby and buy EVERYTHING new and find out really quickly they don't need half of it.
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“You may shoot me with your words, you may cut me with your eyes, you may kill me with your hatefulness, but still, like air, I'll rise!” ― Maya Angelou
Since it's a plane ride plus time in public areas, I'm guessing a sippy cup full of a nice mellow and smooth scotch is out of the question? ;)
When I read the thread title, I don't know why, but I was imagining a long (10+ hours) car ride, not a flight. I don't have any serious suggestions, but I do wish you good luck, and I have to say I like your idea of offering to buy your co-passengers a drink. That's very polite.