Frankfurt-Manila with a Toddler
By now, my sis-in-law, J, will be deep in slumber, recuperating from a long-haul flight from Frankfurt to Manila. And here I am, still wishing I could have been on the plane, too. The only thing I don’t envy is having to endure such a long flight with a nearly-2-year-old toddler. I’ve been that route last year, and it’s an experience I don’t want to re-live. J opted to fly Cathay, which means she’ll have a very long haul from Frankfurt to Hongkong, stop-over for half an hour or so, before they fly the last 2 hour flight to Manila. Most parenting resources would suggest to break such long trips, such that you travel for about 4 to 5 hour a piece. I heeded that advice last year, and it was the most back-breaking flight I’ve ever had in my life! I took the Emirates which had a 3-hr stop-over in Dubai, and that was the mistake. I should have stayed inside the plane instead, than while away time on the ground. It is much easier to handle and run around a toddler inside the aircraft than in the waiting lounge, especially you’re travelling alone, both shoulders strapped with handcarried luggage stuffed full of baby stuff. They say Dubai has the best Duty Free Shops, but well, I wouldn’t know. All I remember was that the waiting lounges did not open until about half an hour before boarding. That left me and my son running the length of the airport, back-and-forth, over and over, for nearly three hours!
I’ve yet to hear from J. Hopefully, her strategy was less exhausting. On the other hand, if I had the moolah, I could probably fly Gulf Air Business or First Class next time and let the Sky Nanny take over!
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POSTED IN: Getting There and Away : Asia
9 opinions for Frankfurt-Manila with a Toddler
Lei
Jul 25, 2005 at 5:39 am
The Sky Nanny sounds like a dream. We make lots of trips every year with our toddler. Thus far, no major hassles even when I travel alone. I think having a sling to carry him instead of a stroller makes us a bit more mobile. BTW, I linked to this post at my personal blog: http://www.livejournal.com/…
Lei
Jul 25, 2005 at 5:39 am
The Sky Nanny sounds like a dream. We make lots of trips every year with our toddler. Thus far, no major hassles even when I travel alone. I think having a sling to carry him instead of a stroller makes us a bit more mobile. BTW, I linked to this post at my personal blog: http://www.livejournal.com/…
Ruth
Jul 25, 2005 at 8:40 am
Lei, I used the sling, too, but by the time he learned how to walk, it was hopeless trying to get him strapped. Glad you found this post useful.
Melissa (AnP)
Jul 26, 2005 at 9:27 am
I did what Justice did last year and it worked really well. Same with when I flew alone with JP the previous year. Same with when we drove 12 hours (each way) just last week to Italy.
I guess, even if your son is hyperactive, as long as you are really prepared then it would really work out.
Ruth
Jul 27, 2005 at 3:04 am
Melissa: ahhh, that means longer stretches does really work better? In the aircraft and in the car during our long trip to Denmark last year, Jan was hassle-free. It’s the running after him during stop-overs that left me dog-tired!
Looking back, I still don’t know what I could/should have done different, in terms of preparation.
Melissa AnP
Jul 27, 2005 at 1:41 pm
I think I spoke too soon. Maybe, JP is too young! haha
On the other hand, I cannot really say that being prepared would make a vacation stress-free since children have different temperament. So, I guess, it all comes down to your child’s temperament/attention span and a parent’s preparedness.
Stef
Jul 29, 2005 at 8:40 am
i think the break between 4-5 hours is really meant more for car-driving, because you need to get up and stretch and get your circulation going. all my 4 kids have been fine with the longer airplane rides both to the philippines and across the atlantic — we just make sure they have lots of things to occupy them quietly — a portable puzzle, colored pencils, a blank tablet/notebook, little snacks they can munch on, and lots of hugging and talking with mom and dad. and yes, the individual movie screens helped too.
Justice
Aug 1, 2005 at 4:43 am
Hey Ruth,
Having had the experience to travel alone with toddlers 2x already, the long stretches were hassle-free. With this year’s trip, a day flight which I knew would keep both kids wide awake, I prepared myself to be exhausted. I had the stroller with us which made the roaming around alot easier. During the 10-hr.flight, luckily, K wasn’t the type to run too far from where I was seated. I think he felt weird passing the aisles alone and he knew I wasn’t going to follow :)
Let’s Visit Asia » Goodies for Kids Aboard Gulf Air
Feb 28, 2006 at 6:10 am
[…] Last year, I wrote about travelling with a toddler in tow. In just a few more days, I’ll be in the same boat (er, airplane), this time with a 3-and-a half year old pre-schooler. I’m kicking myself for not listening to my own blog and not booking with Gulf Air. Apparently, aside from the Sky Nanny, Gulf Air is also offering goodies for kids on board to help them keep busy and make an otherwise boring flight more enjoyable. The goodies, available on long and medium-haul flights, come in two types of packages to suit two age groups of children, those aged between three and five and, those between six and 10 years. […]
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