Going on long-haul flights with children in tow can be a challenge for some parents
theSun, Tues, 27 Oct 2009
Wasn’t travelling a breeze when you did not have kids? However, with baby around, you will probably think twice before deciding to travel.
When you have your little ones as travel companions, you will have to be prepared not only to meet their physical needs such as sleep, food and diaper changes, but also their endless whining, restlessness, crying, impatience and the frequent: “Are we there yet?”
The whole idea of travelling can be even more daunting if it involves a long-haul flight when stopping at the nearest rest area as and when you wish is not an option. However, with enough preparations, a long-haul flight with children can be managed well enough to make travelling less of a hassle and more of an enjoyable family experience.
For seasoned travellers, getting ready to travel with children may be a routine affair, but for some of us, the following few pointers may help us get prepared for that first or rarely taken long-haul flight with our young ones.
Flight schedule
If possible, time the flight according to the child’s feeding, nap and sleeping schedules. If your child can sleep on the plane, the flight will be less stressful for you. Breastfeed or bottle feed your child before take-off and landing to alleviate discomfort in the ears.
If you have to transit, factor in extra time, taking into account the extra baggage you will have to carry like stroller, diaper bag and the like.
Don’t even think you can dash from one gate to another just as you did on your honeymoon trip! Also, allow time for customs and passport checks.
It will be helpful if you know the facilities available at the airports you are stopping at. Find out if they have restaurants, nursery, play areas, convenience stores selling children’s necessities and baby-changing rooms.
Use the airport lounge if you can during transit. Here, you can rest more comfortably and be more accessible to amenities such as toilets and shower facilities as the main terminal is usually busy and crowded.
In-flight
For infants, pack diapers, formula, bottles, pacifier if required, wipes, snacks, favourite toys, books, blanket or any other items he feels secure with.
It is better to overestimate and bring more than you think you need. Have a change or two of clothes for him and at least a spare top for yourself, in case of spills or vomit.
For toddlers, pack age-appropriate colouring, sticker or activity books, crayons, small toys and story books. Include a few new (or even old but seldom-used) toys as surprises to distract them when they get antsy. Dish them out sparingly, however, only when all else fails, lest they start expecting something new every time they throw a tantrum.
Avoid jigsaw puzzles or toys with small detachable parts as you will not want to be crawling around the cabin floor in search of fallen or missing pieces. Also, avoid noisy toys unless you relish stares and glares from other annoyed passengers when your child makes Polly Parrot squawk continuously throughout the 15-hour flight.
Check if your airline offers in-flight movies for children. It will be better if the TV screen is on the back of the seat, as children usually cannot see the large screen placed in front of the cabin. Or bring your own portable DVD player and your child’s favourite cartoons and educational shows.
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Planting roots
theSun, Tue, 13 Oct 2009
FAMILY traditions and activities during festivals are important for strengthening family ties. At the same time, they teach the children values and help us remember our heritage.
As the world around us becomes increasingly seamless, the lines between cultures and norms fade. And it doesn’t help with our wide exposure to the more dominant cultures of the West via the media.
My daughter, for one, used to think Malaysians celebrate Halloween, and that she is an English girl, not Chinese, since she speaks English.
These days, cultural and religious festivals have an added commercial twist. Shopping malls and restaurants grab the opportunity to boost their business by attracting customers with their lavishly-decorated premises, special discounts and promotions.
Many children, and even adults sometimes, can’t help but be drawn into the hype and party atmosphere.
When I was a child, I remember the excitement of getting Chinese New Year red packets or angpows, eating lots of cookies and sweets, drinking iced carbonated drinks and playing with fireworks and sparklers.
However, it is not these things that matter most to me as an adult now. It is the traditions the family practised that I now remember my roots and know some aspects of the Chinese culture.
We also made it a point to visit all our relatives, and I learnt how to address them according to their rankings in our dialect. I knew who the granduncles, grandaunts, cousins, second cousins, uncles and aunts were, and where their place was in the extended family tree.
We need to remind ourselves of and teach our children the history, meaning and traditions behind the festivals we celebrate and even those of other cultures.
By sharing with our children stories, cultural practices and religious rituals of these festivals, we renew our own knowledge while the children gain a better understanding of it.
Cultural and religious festivals are good opportunities to teach our children about the multi-racial community that we live in.
Children need to learn that there are people from various ethnic groups and nationalities around the world, whose culture and lifestyles differ from their own.
They need to be taught that despite the differences, be it in physical appearance, lifestyle or even the food that they eat or don’t eat, they should accept, respect and treat everyone equally.
The last quarter of the year in Malaysia is the time that sees Malaysians celebrating a series of cultural and religious festivals. Muslims recently observed the fasting month of Ramadan followed by Hari Raya Aidilfitri.
Chinese folk recently celebrated the Mid-Autumn Festival during 15th day of the eighth month of the lunar calendar that fell on Oct 3, and very soon, the Hindus will be celebrating Deepavali on Oct 17.
Come December, there will be Christmas, Awal Muharram and the Chinese Winter Solstice festival. Then, before you know it, it will be Chinese New Year in February next year.
Festivals celebrated by the minority native groups should also not be left out.
Children learn by example and by participating, especially when fun is involved. For example, by participating in simple activities like making greeting cards and decorative items, reading stories about festivals, singing festive songs, cooking and tasting festive food, going to places of worship, visiting relatives and friends at their open houses, and giving and receiving gifts, they learn a range of skills, lessons and values.
These include creativity, motor skill development, math, science, art, music, heritage, culture, faith, love, forgiveness, generosity, sharing, teamwork, respect, friendship, etiquette, history, and even geography.
At the end of the day, we as parents should think about what traditions we want to share and leave as legacies for our children.
FAMILY traditions and activities during festivals are important for strengthening family ties. At the same time, they teach the children values and help us remember our heritage.
As the world around us becomes increasingly seamless, the lines between cultures and norms fade. And it doesn’t help with our wide exposure to the more dominant cultures of the West via the media.
My daughter, for one, used to think Malaysians celebrate Halloween, and that she is an English girl, not Chinese, since she speaks English.
These days, cultural and religious festivals have an added commercial twist. Shopping malls and restaurants grab the opportunity to boost their business by attracting customers with their lavishly-decorated premises, special discounts and promotions.
Many children, and even adults sometimes, can’t help but be drawn into the hype and party atmosphere.
When I was a child, I remember the excitement of getting Chinese New Year red packets or angpows, eating lots of cookies and sweets, drinking iced carbonated drinks and playing with fireworks and sparklers.
However, it is not these things that matter most to me as an adult now. It is the traditions the family practised that I now remember my roots and know some aspects of the Chinese culture.
We also made it a point to visit all our relatives, and I learnt how to address them according to their rankings in our dialect. I knew who the granduncles, grandaunts, cousins, second cousins, uncles and aunts were, and where their place was in the extended family tree.
We need to remind ourselves of and teach our children the history, meaning and traditions behind the festivals we celebrate and even those of other cultures.
By sharing with our children stories, cultural practices and religious rituals of these festivals, we renew our own knowledge while the children gain a better understanding of it.
Cultural and religious festivals are good opportunities to teach our children about the multi-racial community that we live in.
Children need to learn that there are people from various ethnic groups and nationalities around the world, whose culture and lifestyles differ from their own.
They need to be taught that despite the differences, be it in physical appearance, lifestyle or even the food that they eat or don’t eat, they should accept, respect and treat everyone equally.
The last quarter of the year in Malaysia is the time that sees Malaysians celebrating a series of cultural and religious festivals. Muslims recently observed the fasting month of Ramadan followed by Hari Raya Aidilfitri.
Chinese folk recently celebrated the Mid-Autumn Festival during 15th day of the eighth month of the lunar calendar that fell on Oct 3, and very soon, the Hindus will be celebrating Deepavali on Oct 17.
Come December, there will be Christmas, Awal Muharram and the Chinese Winter Solstice festival. Then, before you know it, it will be Chinese New Year in February next year.
Festivals celebrated by the minority native groups should also not be left out.
Children learn by example and by participating, especially when fun is involved. For example, by participating in simple activities like making greeting cards and decorative items, reading stories about festivals, singing festive songs, cooking and tasting festive food, going to places of worship, visiting relatives and friends at their open houses, and giving and receiving gifts, they learn a range of skills, lessons and values.
These include creativity, motor skill development, math, science, art, music, heritage, culture, faith, love, forgiveness, generosity, sharing, teamwork, respect, friendship, etiquette, history, and even geography.
At the end of the day, we as parents should think about what traditions we want to share and leave as legacies for our children.
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