The fear of flying... with children

In a few days, I'll be boarding a plane with my two boys. Need I remind you that they are 4 years old and 19 months old?

Or that I'm not the biggest fan of flying, despite the countless number of times I have been in an airplane? And even though I've written a post about staying sane when travelling with children, it's never easy, you know?

Oh, wait - here's the best part - I'm flying ALONE. Usually, when we travel with the kids, we deploy the troops. Since my children have been born, when we travel via airplane - for SHORT destinations, like Florida (my favourite!) or Bahamas (love it!) we go with my parents and sister and her husband. The more hands to help, the merrier, you know? One of us entertains each child, and we can happily play pass the baby to the next person when they start getting cranky. I highly recommend this way of travelling.

Being Greek, we're also pretty dramatic and make a big deal about everything.

My mom: "Okay, Loukia. In your carry-on, you must have children's Gravol, which you will give to Christos before take-off, otherwise there is no point, and children's Advil, and Advil for you too and a change of clothes for you all, and toys, and a DVD player, and snacks. And oh my God, how are you going to handle it and of course a pillow and some books and what about the car seat and should you bring a pillow for Christaki? I think you should and make sure when you get there to relax and take breaks and make sure the kids sleep at their regular bedtimes and don't yell at the boys and it's a short flight so don't worry but are you sure you can handle it, because they are impossible to take care of sometimes!"

Moi: "Oh my God, mom, I don't think I should go anymore! Should I go? I'm sure I'll be fine. They listen to me more than they listen to you, anyway, plus I'll have the double stroller. I'll be fine. Christos! Come back here! Dimitry, stop - that's the down escalator! Christos! No! Dimitry! Stop touching people! Christos, stop running! Dimitry, eww, don't touch the garbage! As I was saying mom, it will be a walk in the park. And plus, I know I'll come home with a really good blog post! What? Don't look at me like that! I blog, I'm NOT in a cult!"

Yeah. My mom and I talk like this all the time.

So I'm going to go to Washington D.C. with my boys to visit my uncle and his family and to take one last vacation before school starts for Christos. (EEK! School, OMG!) I will be celebrating my birthday in one of my most favourite cities, ever. My grandparents will be there, too, thank God. They will be such a huge help. I think I'll be able to handle it. Right?

I have been to D.C. many times, and I've lived there, too, when I did my internship at CBS TV. I have nothing but the best memories of D.C. and I can't wait to show Montgomery Mall to my boys! I mean, all the amazing museums and stuff! Seriously, there is so much to do there and I hope we get to do it all. I cannot wait!

Now, I just have to get through the plane ride. As long as there are no delays in the airport and as long as my boys are on their best behaviour, I should be okay. Gulp. And of course I will be stocking up like a mad women on the junk food. Snacks are a moms best friend, you know. And we better not have a bitchy flight attendant. I can't stand it when they're bitchy.

Please with me luck, friends. I think I'll need it.