We HEART fly-tots!!!
It feels like forever ago now, but back in August, Zahra, Jari, and I boarded a plane in Nairobi bound for Brooklyn.
We're fortunate to be able to live abroad, to travel abroad, and to come home for a few months each year... We're not fortunate enough, however, to fly business or first class. Thus, the thought of traveling with two small tired children across numerous time zones and a few continents was daunting. But, about a year ago, I was added by a friend, to a facebook group for traveling families. Unlike a lot of facebook groups which seem to quickly descend into chaos (yes, I'm looking at you Lawyers on the Left) or don't do much of anything at all, this one has been a pretty great resource. There are lots of tips on traveling with small children and it's nice to see how many parents travel with their kids solo. A few months before we left for the States, someone in the group posted about an item that had been invaluable on there last long-haul flight. The item, a fly-tot, is basically an inflatable pillow that, using a pump, you inflate after the fasten seatbelt sign comes off to fill the space between your child's seat and the seat in front of them. They went on and on about the fly-tot. I thought it looked cool and then promptly forgot about it.
Fast forward to a month before take-off. Suddenly lots of parents were singing the praises of the fly-tots and, as I booked our tickets home, I realized what an asset they would be. Not only was this my first long trip alone with the kids, but it was also our first time not sitting in the bulkhead seats. Some people hate the bulkhead seats. I love them. I love that there's space, especially on 787s, for my kids to play and move around in front of the seats. I love that you're close to the bathroom. I love that you have extra legroom. I knew I was going to miss the bulkhead seats. So, I made it my mission to somehow get two fly-tots to use on our flights. It wasn't easy. But eventually we found a friend of a friend coming to Kenya at just the right time -- before our departure, but late enough that the company that produces fly-tots, which was back ordered at the time, could fulfill the shipment. And off we went. On a 24 hour journey. Armed with our fly-tots, which took up half of one of our two carry-ons, a set of crayola watercolor paints, and a bag of chocolate chip cookies and several changes of clothes, diapers, and water wipes.
The fly-tots were everything I hoped they would be and more. Once inflated, they created a small double bed. We got an extension seatbelt and my kids slept for almost the entire first flight. The lovely flight attendants even let us keep them inflated for the descent so they could continue sleeping.
The part of flying alone with them that I was most afraid of was the layover. It was only a few hours in Amsterdam, but I knew the kids would be tired. Really tired. And so, despite being 4 and 2, I carried our small stroller and our trusty ergo. I put Jari right into the ergo when we landed and let Zahra use the stroller. Combined with carrying our two duffles, it wasn't my favorite part of the trip but we got to the food area, ordered some smoothies and croissants, for the insane price of 40 euros, and relaxed before heading to our next plane.
On the second flight, they used the fly-tots to rest their legs and nap a bit. By the end of the second flight they were getting a bit restless, but overall, it was so much easier flying alone with them than I expected.
When we landed at JFK, I knew enough to have a $20 in my pocket. We paid someone to help us with our bags and carseats. He got us right through customs and out to the parking area where my parents were waiting for us. And thus began a magical few weeks in Brooklyn and a wonderful two months in the US!
