Am I a brave mama? A tale of traveling with a small child
posted in Don't Know What to Make of This, Mom Rants, Fashion, Traveling With Children |Flying with children in the middle of winter between some of the nation’s busiest airports is always a crapshoot. That’s why I wasn’t so surprised when they 
cancelled my flight today from LaGuardia to O’Hare (the cause? “weather” somewhere in Pennsylvania is my guess, damn you Nittany Lions.) So, I’m stuck in New York City for another day at my friend’s apartment in Manhattan. The downside? I don’t get to see my husband tonight and I have to figure out how I’m going to make up work tomorrow. The upside? I scored a great pair of suede winter boots on mega sale (sort of like the ones on the left, but in black) and I get to watch the Oscars with someone who actually wants to watch it. Things could be worse. A lot worse.
That’s why I was surprised when my friend texted me that I was a “brave mama” for traveling to New York City alone with my 11-month old. Is traveling with children that brave? Am I a hero and just don’t know it yet? Let’s see…
- I managed to get my son, his stroller, 2 carry-ons and myself through security without a whimper uttered. The key - do not put baby shoes on your child. TSA will make you take them off. I’m not joking.
- I fed him a well-balance breakfast of pears and a banana while waiting to board. I’ve found stroller-feeding to be just as effective and actually less messy than highchair feeding. Think my Bugaboo will look bad in my kitchen?
- I timed the plane ride to coincide with nap time, so we both could snooze mid-air. Hey, a 30-minute cat nap is better than no nap in my book. If only the stewardess would have lowered her voice just a notch when she told us we could use our portable electronic devices. Just a notch.
- I called a car service to help me with my luggage and so I could actually attach his car seat to something resembling a seat belt (my friends don’t drive in Manhattan and I don’t do cabs with babies.) Unfortunately, I ruined my nails trying to attach the seat to the LATCH system. Why is it so hard to find in between the seat cushions??
- Meester Liger makes it easy for my son to sleep anywhere. He’s pretty much good to go anywhere as long as he can suck on the corner of the blanket. Good thing I brought 6 of them. Again, not joking.
- It took 4 tries, but I finally found the right kind of formula at Gristedes. Do people on the Upper West Side not believe in bottle feeding? Not only was Gristedes the only place that sold this brand of formula, but I paid $16 for a 12 oz. jar. So I had to forgo the cute pair of leggings I saw at Urban Outfitters. Ah, the sacrifices us mothers make.
- My friend found a baby sitter at the last minute so we could attend my friend’s birthday party. And I even remembered to tell the babysitter my son’s name just as we were walking out the door! (He was asleep already, OK!?)
- And, last but not least, I mastered the art of drinking my nonfat-extra-hot-no-water-chai-latte while pushing my son’s stroller and holding the bag with the boots that I bought. I may have looked like a total ass walking down 88th St., but damn I love my chai. Oh and if you’re wondering, chivalry is completely dead at the Starbucks on 86th and Columbus. Hey, lady working on your computer - thank you for watching me as I rammed my son’s foot into the door trying to get out. That was so nice of you.
So am I that brave? I can’t answer that. Gotta go get my screaming son. Nap time didn’t go exactly as I had planned this afternoon. But don’t all heros have flaws?
Tags: traveling with children
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