Remember my post about the secret to traveling with a one -year-old?  Well, while that vacation was pretty blissful, the plane ride was an entirely different experience.

I was pretty nervous leading up to the trip as I wasn’t sure how she’d handle the plane ride. Sometimes my mind automatically goes to the worst option. I figured if anyone had a child that would scream and cry nonstop on a plane, it would be us. Turns out I was right. She cried almost the entire time and nothing helped. Her nuk, which normally puts her in a state of relaxation, didn’t help. She only swatted it away with her hand at every attempt to give it to her. We tried a bottle, a sippy cup, snacks, new toys and plenty of snuggles. Nothing.  If that plane ride had been even 30 minute longer, I would have wanted to parachute out of the emergency door exit.

I can only assume that her poor little ears must have gotten the worst of her because nothing was going to fix it.  In that moment, I felt completely and utterly powerless. Meanwhile, her little travel companion was angelically sleeping peacefully in her mom and dad’s arms.

All that worrying leading up to the plane ride had me wondering about all the wrong things. How could I handle it if that happened?  What will people think? Everyone will be staring at us. Everyone will hate us and think and say terrible things.  But the funny thing is that in that moment, you don’t even notice anyone else. All that mattered at the time was focusing on her and trying to provide her some relief.  I’m sure some people were annoyed and some were probably understanding. But they didn’t even phase me. She did. I think it goes to show that when your kids are in pain, you’re centered on them and nothing else matters.

We did luck out for a brief time. I think the pain and exhaustion of crying finally put her to sleep in our arms for maybe 30 minutes.  It breaks your heart to feel like there is nothing you can do.

To be honest, that plane ride quickly escaped my mind and I when I remember that vacation I remember all the good times. I don’t even remember the plane ride home. I’m assuming it was a much better experience.  The week was filled with so many great first memories. Her first time to the ocean. Her love of the pool. Her trip to the zoo and playing in the splash pad. Her first time eating grouper nuggets.

So parents, I urge you to throw your worries aside about the plane ride. It might be a terrible experience. It might not.  But if it is, it’s a short-lived time that in the end gives you access to amazing memories that you won’t ever forget.

Take the trip. Book your flights.  Be prepared to fight against the tears and if they come, just roll with it.

Happy Travels to You!