For a huge proportion of UAE residents, nternational travel with family in tow is a regular and sometimes arrowing experience.

Small spaces and upset ittle ones just don’t mix well - for you, your family or for the unfortunate passengers seated around you on the plane.

But there’s really no escape if you want to see grandparents or friends back home.

Author and mother-of-two Catherine Cooper knows all about the filthy looks from fellow passengers, and has written ‘Travelling With Children: A Parent’s Guide’ in a bid to make everybody’s life that little bit easier. She says: “Parents are often understandably nervous about flying with children, and to be honest it can be a nightmare. It’s especially tough when children are aged between about one and three - big enough to want to move around, but too small to entertain themselves for long. The key to successful flights with children is preparation.”

The best way to deal with this potential nightmare, says other-of-three Siobhan Freegard, is to be realistic about the journey.

By this, she means parents shouldn’t look forward to an onboard snooze, or expect to get stuck into holiday reading or a good in-flight film. She says: “By the time our holiday arrives, we parents are tired and looking forward to the break.

“But instead of being able to elax on the flight, we find urselves with bored, grumpy, squirming children. Tensions rise, and everyone arrives feeling hot, cross and stressed. Not a good start to any holiday.

“Bring a well-stocked bag and prepare to entertain your children for most of the journey: books, games, colouring, kids DVDs. If you get a chance to flick through that magazine, see it as a bonus.”

PLANE AND SIMPLE
Here are some key tips for a stress-free family flight

* Pack a carry-on bag containing some of your children’s favourite toys and something new, such as a story, colouring or sticker book to keep them distracted. Avoid noisy toys that may annoy other passengers, and toys with small parts which may be lost under the seat in front.

* A portable DVD player is a great way to pass time, so pack plenty of DVDs. Make sure the player is fully charged, and pack headphones.

* Pack non-sugary snacks and drinks to keep the kids happy.

* If your flight includes an in-flight meal and you’re travelling with more than one adult, ask the cabin crew if you can have one meal at a time, allowing you to eat while your partner looks after the kids and vice-versa.

* If needed, pack twice as many nappies, wipes and formula as you think you’ll need, as you never know when delays may occur.

* If taking ready-made formula through airport security, be prepared to open and taste it due to the liquid restrictions.

* Pack spare clothes for you all in hand luggage in case of accidents, and take a plastic bag to put wet clothes in if any accidents do happen.

* For children not long out of nappies, it’s worth considering putting them back into one for the flight.

* To help with popping ears, have a bottle or pacifier ready for babies and toddlers, and for older children, boiled sweets.

* If the flight isn’t full, ask the flight crew if you can move to an empty row. Passengers will not mind if it makes for a quieter flight.
* Always hold something back from the treats/toys packed, and only bring it out when absolutely needed.