When your child is born overseas, airplanes are practically your second home. Marlowe just turned 2 and she has been on 18 airplanes. The airplane rides include long haul trips  lasting up to 16 hours and shorter connecting flights. 18!  I don’t think I had been on that many airplanes until I was at least in my twenties.

As we prepare to fly to Ontario tomorrow, I have been busy packing. I think that I have this toddler packing thing down to a science.

In Marlowe’s backpack:

• 2 light books
• 1 stuffed animal
• 4 small plastic animals
• 1 little bag of beads and string
• 1 water cup.

In my backpack:

• 2 light books
• 1 colouring book and a few crayons
• 3 pre-stapled blank books
• 2 changes of underwear (for Marlowe)
• 1 change of clothes (for Marlowe)
• 2 diapers and a travel pack of wipes
• 1 sheet of plastic stickers for easy sticking and peeling on an airplane tray or window,
• 3 clementines
• 1 small bag of trail mix
• 1 snack container of blackberries
• 1 snack bag of crackers and cheerios
• 1 banana
• 1 small blanket
• our travel documents
• 1 pen

In my experience, less is more. Except for the food. There are enough random things in an airplane to keep toddlers busy, so don’t over pack on the toys and books. ALWAYS over pack on the food though. I used to pack things for me to read or write in. I quickly realised that I was silly. I will not have one minute to myself. Even if Marlowe fell asleep (very unlikely) I will most likely be holding her and unable to access any of my reading materials.

Luckily this flight is only 4 hours,  so I am not worried about it at all!