Great list!

The only thing I would point out is that flying on long haul flights with kids can actually be great. Some airlines are nicer to kids than others (we've had great experiences with British Airways and KLM for example), and some kids are better travelers than others. But hey, sometimes they're great.

And ever since the advent of the iPad, traveling with kids is sweet.

I don't understand this picture. Where are the seats/bulkhead that should be in front of that dude? Flying with my kid would be a piece of cake if we had *that* much leg room!

My three year old son and I spent three weeks in Venice this past winter, and it was absolutely worth every penny. It was just the two of us on the flights to and from, but even that went relatively smoothly. Granted, our trip was different than my previous Venice visit -- pre-child -- but there will be plenty of time later in life for a more adult-oriented vacation. In the meantime, I LOVED having the experience of seeing the city through his eyes. We both had a fabulous time. And as far as the "planning out every minute" question, I can't think of any WORSE way to travel with kids. Take it easy, let life unfold, and just enjoy BEING somewhere. Check out the local playgrounds, go to the local grocery stores, bakeries, etc., take time to watch your kid run around the square with the other local kids. We did lots of exploring and wandering around, interspersed with a few church visits and other more "traditional" tourist activities, and thought it just about perfect. I can't say the actual flight with a kid is all that wonderful (although it wasn't as bad as I'd feared; I've had far worse domestic flights), but even if the flight is unpleasant (and it may not be!) it will be over soon enough. Honestly, I don't understand why anyone would NOT travel with kids, assuming they could afford to do so. (that's our biggest barrier; if it wasn't for cost and time we'd be out there traveling the world right now!)

I disagree with some of her points. Sure, if I had the money to travel to Europe every year, I'd take my kid. But for our family (and most I know) a trip to Europe is a once a decade, maybe once a lifetime trip. So, yeah, I'll wait until my kids are old enough to remember and appreciate the trip.

Having traveled quite a bit with our daughter, I would say when they are out of diapers it's so much easier. She is now 5 1/2 years old, and it has been great!

As long as you are prepared for the flight- long or not, you will get through it. Attitude as well as lowering expectations is everything- just be sure to bring some healthy snacks (we have alot of dietary restrictions), and new inexpensive books/toys/games/art supplies.

We are now finishing up our 3 week vacation in Paris and Lecce, Italy visiting friends, and it has been worth every penny. Visiting friends who live in a different city not only saves you money on hotels, but it also gives you a different perspective about the cutlre of that city.

We have been on a much slower schedule, but have enjoyed our time walking around and taking in the sights one by one. We have visited several local parks, which have been amazing- and we would have never done that without our daughter with us.

Traveling with our child has been a learning experience for us all, and I wouldn't change it for the world. Highly recommend it!

I think the #1 thing I've had to realize about traveling with my kids is to stop giving a da*n what other people think. I do my absolute best to mitigate the noise/disturbance my kids make but there are always grumps who will give you the evil eye and I've decided to no longer care. Very liberating. ;)

@jesser-
Thanks for trying to mitigate the disturbance, but ...the other 150 people on the flight who paid $300+ for their ticket have the pleasure of sitting in a cramped space with no escape shouldn't feel bothered by crying children or having their seat backs kicked for 3 hours?

If you find someone giving you the evil eye, consider a sympathetic look that says, "Sorry, I'm doing my best" and not "I don't give a da*m that you're bothered."

I have to agree with nellymom... the list makes me think that family has a bit more money focused on travel expenses than the average family may be able to commit.

Resorts with kids clubs? Luxury hotels? A new country every year? Sounds absolutely awesome, but not exactly what I could manage any time soon. While I am very luck and able to travel occasionally, it's always on a careful and tight budget.

Oops, that sounded a bit harsh. I should add that many of the tips are very good! Not worrying about a kid menu, etc.

I read somewhere about airlines starting up family-friendly flights, which are specifically meant for families with small kids and designed to keep the people who are easily annoyed by rambunctious kids on their own separate flights. I'd be happy to get on the plane with the kids, even though I don't have any of my own, in order to avoid all the self-righteous evil glares and complaints. It's not as if children come with a volume control or an off switch. I'm sure the parents are doing whatever they can to keep their kids calm and quiet but it doesn't always work that way.

We just made a cross-country road trip with a 3-year-old and a six-week-old. In a Matrix. Was it hard? You bet. But it was also a great shared experience, that we will always remember, and that our oldest will have some memory of, surely. Haven't tried this on a plane, yet, but now I feel like we can do anything.

Long before I became a parent, I took a nineteen hour plane flight sitting right next to an infant. What can I say? My tolerance for crying babies was much lower back then, when I was in my early twenties. But it was really not that bad. Parents should of course try to be considerate of those around them, but non-parents need to be a little understanding, too. Nearly everyone will be dealing with this at some point in his or her life.

And I want to echo what others have commented regarding the iPad. On our trip, this device saved our bacon on countless occasions. If you are selective with the kinds of apps you download, it can be really amazing. It's a coloring book without the mess, it's a storybook that your child can manipulate intuitively, it's a game that teaches about math and language. Those long hours buckled into a car seat became much more bearable for our easily-bored little guy. We have struggled somewhat with getting our son to sit down and read a book with us--he wants to look at the pictures by himself. But for some reason the very same book on the iPad captures his attention, and it's helped us develop that reading time habit together and address the words and the story, too. (No, I am not an Apple employee.)

I'm sorry mjs7640, but if every of the 150 other passengers in a plane were as considerate as most parents are I would really consider avoid traveling with my children;
Keep in mind that no parent is proud of a loud child; all we want is to see them well and happy, so rest assured that whenever your peace is disturbed that we are doing our best to calm them down;
Not only for your interest but for the kid well being;
What to say about loud snoring, oversized hand luggage, Late passengers?
Everyone has a Handicap so if we all try to be a bit more understanding I think everybody would have a less stressed flight!

The one lesson I learned the hard way is to bring a spare outfit for yourself, not just your kid. No nap plus long layover meant that when our transatlantic flight actually took off, my kid was so tired, cranky and upset that she threw up on me -and then promptly fell asleep. I didn't have another top. Ugh!

@mjs7640- I don't think I explained myself very well. I would never allow my kids to kick a seat back. That is definitely within my control ... the occasional crying from a small child (which I will do pretty much anything to prevent) is not as much, but overall I am quite successful and my kids are good travelers.

The fact that I'm doing my best is obvious but of course I do not get hostile with people when they are annoyed. What would be the point?

My point was merely this: at the end of the day, I give myself and my family permission to get on with our lives and continue to travel. It seems to be inevitable that no matter my best efforts we will annoy someone and I will not get too crazed about it. I know I've done everything I can.

If you feel differently, AOK by me. :)

@jesser-
Perhaps I misunderstood your "don't give a da*n" comment. I happen to be the passenger who gives the harried parent the "I've been there" sympathetic nod and happily waves back to the child looking at me over his seat back.

I have 3 kids.

i'm spending extended time in the caribbean right now with the family i nanny for. his parents are here working, and obviously I'M working, but it's a vacation for the toddler! the parents enjoy themselves as a family unit on nights and weekends, just like they would at home.

the flight was a dream (even though he's normally a bit of a wild child), and we've found LOTS to do (even though there aren't many SPECIFIC kid-centric activities). it's all in what you make of it! honestly, i think it's been harder for ME as a single young adult, trying to find activities in the evenings, than it has been for him as a 2.5 year old!