{Kelsey Farago Photography}: { Traveling with a Toddler }

I met my friend Jen for coffee the other day and she asked me, do you think it will be harder to fly with Brody now, or when he was a baby? I answered now, having NO CLUE what I was in for that following weekend. Brody has flown a lot, so going into our flight I thought I was prepared. I have flown with Brody when he was 3 months, 5 months, 8 months and then 11 months. But now Brody is 17 months, and it's a different ball game. He is on the move, and VERY active.

We were flying to Arizona to see my parents. So I was prepared. I packed his "backpack" full of his favorites. Books, Toys, stuffed animals. And I packed his diaper bag full of his favorite snacks, binkies , sippy cups, bottle and of course his favorite bed time stuffed animals buffalo and elephant.

I had everything.

I was prepared.

Until we actually were 30,000 feet in the air. You know that look you get on planes with a little one... the "ohhhh great , a baby" look. You either get that, or giddy parents or grandparents reminiscing about their little ones. Now on this 737 flight it had the two rows of three. And we did not buy Brody a seat. We didn't plan to fly at a special time, we just took whatever flight was the most affordable. Luckily both of our flights were conveniently during Brody's nap and bed time. Perfect! Or so I thought...

So here are my oh so wise tips for flying with a little one.

1. Never do it alone. Just don't do it.

2. Keep food and toys separate. I kept all snacks and drinks in the diaper bag. Some of the favorite and maybe "special" snacks. I also kept his stuffed animals in there, the ones he sleeps with. So it was easier to grab. In a different bag, pack it full of favorite toys. Maybe even consider buying a new special toy just for the plane.

3. Take deep breathes. You are just fine, who cares about the 35 year old girl who hates kids glaring at you and rolling her eyes. Focus on your little one, and don't worry about apologizing to them. I made a joke to the people around us like "Lucky you, you get to sit by us...." I think it broke some of the tension.

4. If your child looses their marbles, pull out any and all stops. You are in survival mode here. Even if it's purchasing the dumb wifi and playing Mickey Mouse Club House until the cows come home!!

5. When you first get on the plane load snacks into the pocket and drinks, so its easier to grab. This is why you have the travel buddy. To grab anything you can't!

6. If you are flying around nap/ bed time bring things to make it comfier, blankets, sound machine app downloaded on your iPhone, binkies. Whatever! I brought a bag of 15 binkies. I am not joking. And he threw 7 of them.

7. Seattle's airport now has a kids playing area! Amazing! It was great to have him play before the flight. Im sure all major airports now have this.

8.Make sure you arrive early enough to give them a full and happy tummy.

9.. It doesn't matter how much you prepare.... you will never be prepared with a toddler

10. Maybe order a drink when you land :) and Enjoy your Vacation!

So what did I learn flying with a very active 17 month old??? Nothing. I learned that no matter how much I prepare and pack, you never know what curve balls these sneaky toddlers will throw your way. My amazing sleeper slept like an angel on the way there, but a nightmare screaming on the way home. I thought I was prepared. But I had some tools that helped me stay calm, prepared and over all I would say a successful flight!