Parenting Toddlers

We pulled into the departure area at the airport as Keenan (7) launched into an explanation to Drew (4) that she was going to go on an airplane to Alaska. Drew, who had been excited last night about flying, wailed from behind me, “I don’t want to go on an airplane!�? Daddy explained that she would be flying with me and reminded her that she had been excited the night before. With increased determination, Drew wailed, “But I don’t want to go on an airplane!�? I thought to myself, “Oh, no! What am I getting myself into?�? Then I thought, “Hey, this will be a great experience to write about on the Parenting Toddlers blog!�?

I was worried that we wouldn’t be able to get Drew out of the van, but my husband jumped out, grabbed my suitcase and ushered Drew out before she could protest. I put on her backpack, blew kisses to my other children, kissed my husband, took Drew’s hand and headed for the door leading into the airport. All in less than a minute. No turning back now!

We found the nearest kiosk, and as I was printing out our baggage tickets, Drew began to complain about her tummy hurting and pleaded with me to hold her. I was already holding a heavy backpack, a laptop and a suitcase. Could I hold a 4-year-old and her backback, too? I managed to shuffle us over to the baggage drop-off without lifting her off the floor. She noticed the bag of Cheetos in my backpack, which stimulated a conversation about said Cheetos as we waited in line at the baggage x-ray.

Twenty minutes later we were through security without tears, purchased chocolate milk and sitting at our gate munching on Cheetos and sipping chocolate milk. Drew was happily chattering about everything she saw. Shoot! I forgot the wet wipes. I licked my fingers, wiped off Drew’s fingers then wiped my fingers off on the bottom of our pants. I slipped one of her new DVDs into my laptop and we enjoyed a show while waiting for boarding to begin. After the first episode, we used the bathroom then went for a walk to get out the wiggles before our 3.5-hour flight.

We returned to the gate just in time to board our plane. Much to my delight, the plane was not full and nobody sat in our row with us, giving Drew and I plenty of room to spread out our thing and get comfortable. As we waited for take-off, I snapped some photos and pointed out all the new sights to Drew out our cabin window. Once in the air, Drew finished her bag of Cheetos and I chided myself once again for not remembering the wet wipes. Then again when Drew spilled her drink.

As I sit and type, there is a toddler, probably about 18-20 months old, and her older brother, who is probably about 3 years old sitting in the row in front of us. Drew is enjoying the conversation with the boy, but I’m growing weary of the toddler dropping her toys on my computer and grabbing at Drew’s things. I am tempted to be annoyed with them, but I realize it could be worse. They could be screaming and crying. Besides, Drew is enjoying their company and I’m almost finished writing this article.

I am wishing, once again, that I had those wet wipes. I bought Drew a snack box. As I type, she is busy putting greasy salami, sweaty cheese and goopy sunflower butter on her organic, trans-fat free crackers. Let’s take a poll. Will she eat them? I have to admit, I’m impressed with her fine motor skills as she spreads the sunflower butter onto those crackers.

Coming tomorrow:

Tips for flying with toddlers.

We find out whether the greasy, goopy “sandwiches�? went into Drew’s tummy or the trash can.

© Copyright 2007 Rebecca Wilson.  All Rights Reserved.
Used with permission.

Photo credit: Free Digital Photos