Imagine boarding the plane with your family to fly across country and wondering if maybe, just maybe you should have forked over the extra money and gotten your toddler their own seat.
We have flown with one of our kids when she was 6 months old and that was great, so I think we thought it might work out ok. We found ourselves in is exactly situation earlier this year flying with Southwest Airlines.
It was the first time our youngest child, who was about 15 months at the time, had ever flown. We are a large family so airline tickets can add up and he could remain flying on my lap until he is 2 years old. Yes, money was a small factor, but part of me was afraid that if we bought him his own seat, he might end up right back in my lap anyway if he happened to be uncomfortable or scared. So, we finally decided to fly him as a lap child.
Did we make the right decision? Yes…and no.
Yes, because it was easier to quiet him and get him comfy for a nap since babies have slept on their mommas since the dawn of time. If you didn’t know, not only am I a woman and mom, but I am also a bed. A bed for a tiny human!
You also save the cost of a plane ticket for a whole person! We are a full family of 7, but are usually only flying 6 or less at a time. It’s still pretty expensive once you add them all up. Why don’t they have child fares? I think I remember there being such a thing when I was a kid, but not anymore.
No, for many more reasons, however. Due to his age and size (he is a big boy), and him riding in my lap, there is much less room in my seat. Which means much, much less room once you let down that tray table right in front of you. I will admit my extra mommy pounds had a little something to do with the lack of space, but I digress. There just was not enough space for the both of us and he really needed “growing room” on that plane.
More importantly, he was not afraid at all, so he was trying to investigate EVERYTHING. I spent many hours, minus his nap, trying to keep him busy so he wouldn’t terrorize the other passengers.
Let me tell you, you can only do so many coloring pages, eat so many snacks, and play educational games before the kid or yourself nearly lose it being that squished together for five hours. My husband helped too, but you know how it is those times when your kid wants only Mom.
It. Was. Hard.
So hard in fact, that I have decided to buy this little guy his very own seat from now on!
Making the decision to fly your toddler as a lap child can be a tough one. You really have to take things into consideration and be realistic about what you can handle. When your children are small babies the decision is usually much easier. But really consider the length of flight, age and physical size of your child and their demeanor when making these decisions. I can say with confidence since he is our last addition that there will be no more lap child flights for us!
Have you ever flown with a lap child? If you have, would you do it again? Leave a comment below to share your experince with us!