We seem to be nearing the end of this hellish plague, COVID-19
The recent weeks have seen the approval of 2 vaccines in the United States (at the time of writing), allowing us to see the light at the end of the tunnel. However, that doesn't mean we can let our guard down, even though it is easy for no-one to live this way. Covid has disrupted every aspect of our lives, taking far too many.
It didn't need to be this way. Stay home if you can, and if you can't, wear a mask & socially distance! We know that children can become silent spreaders. While the CDC says that a child under 2 should never wear a mask; They do recommend that older children wear one. The same rules apply with social distancing. This advise isn't just for the 18+ crowd. COVID-19 is trying its best to put the kibosh on as much of normal life as it can manage.
Yet, that doesn't mean it has been 100% successful. There are reasons that we may have to travel by air with our children before the pandemic is over. Spending hours at the airport, checking in, going through security, finding your gate before the real joy of being trapped in a small aluminum tube with a pissed of 5 year old in 2019 was already daunting. Now, through in social distancing and masking protocols… well this is going to take some finesses.
Lucky for you, Dear Reader, I've been through this particular gauntlet. Here is what I've learned:
- Buy Straws. If your children are anything like mine a.) they hate masks b.) they are smart & precocious enough to to circumvent the rules. No one wants their child behaving like
Ted Cruz,holding coffee that he only pretends to be drink. We are good parents that teach our children that the rules that apply to everyone else, apply to them too. Straws can fit well under a mask. Time Savings= 5+ reminders to replace their mask that turn into arguments.
- You're traveling because you have to, not because you want to. It's likely a stressful situation. I know you've heard this before, "Know when to pick your battles". Make life easier on yourself. Bribe them. Turn off Parenting Time on iCloud. Buy those Oreos. Hold the line where you have to. Artificial food coloring won't kill you, but the whining might. Time savings = incalculable
- What is that thing in your kids life that turns them into a zombie? Is it their PS4, iPad? Doesn't matter. If it is portable & fits in your lap, bring it. While the airlines have taken every possible precaution, nothing can be 100% safe. Remember, you are still in an enclosed space with a kid that wants to run around. Maybe there are other kids at the airport that are as excited for their 1st new friend in 10 months as your kid is. Perhaps they just want to run & hug their new buddy. Even though it breaks my heart to write this; Bring that thing that turns your kids into mush. Mush normally isn't great, but nothing is normal right now. We have to make sure they aren't tempted to do all those normal, beautiful things that kids do, that reminding the world of its humanity, because that could literally save someone's life. Time savings = years on another person's life
- No one is doing in-flight beverage or snack service. Pre-Pack all the food you'll need for the flight, if you can manage. If you feel slammed or just can't imagine packing one more thing, bring a couple of extra bucks for concessions. Liquids, of course, have to be purchased after you've successfully completed
TSA screening.Time savings = 56,000 "mommy I'm hungry"
- Use this as a teaching moment. When my children and I took our necessary flight, everyone was acting responsibility and kindly to one another. It's no secret that emotions can sometimes run hot at the airport with certain types (re: assholes). However, it felt like the edges were softened. That's pretty cool. And after 2020 who would deny that we can use all use a little extra-kindness in our lives? Time savings = It costs us time now, but we will reap the rewards of raising kind, contentious children.
Flying with children during Covid – Mile High Mother