10 Genius Shortcuts to Keep Your Sanity When Flying with Children

Pare down your carry on

Remember, you could be carrying a child at any second and you don’t want to miss a connection because you are frantically trying to make sure you have everything off of the plane, so packing smart is key. I take a tiny cross body purse so that my money, phone, and ID are at the ready and a backpack with the kiddo necessities. If I’m traveling without my husband, I pack a small carry on suitcase that I can manage and check it. “It’s hard enough to carry a toddler, so I always look for ways to keep it simple. And that’s even more important with two kids,” notes Faith, a college professor and writer from Fargo, North Dakota, who travels frequently. “As long as I have milk, snacks, and activities, I keep the rest down to a minimum. After all, you can always buy diapers, etc. at the destination.”