By Stacy DeBroff

Here are my best tips for allowing your kids to navigate the friendly skies on their own:

Wait until your child is at least 7 years old

• Before then, traveling alone will likely create tremendous anxiety in your child, even though airlines will allow children who are at least 5 years old to fly alone.
• Fill out paperwork for supervision by the airline for unaccompanied minors. This adds an escort fee of around $50 to a ticket and ensures that airline officers look out for your child.
• Buy only non-stop tickets. The minute you add a layover into mix creates issues of:

• Getting between gates

• Missed or delayed flights

• Hungry kids or the need to go to the bathroom, and

• Vulnerability to strangers.

Pack Favorite Snacks and Request Kid's Meals

• Call ahead to order a children’s meal or snack.
• Snacks from home add comfort and familiarity if your kids hate the meal served.
• Add in gum or lollipops based on your child’s age to deal with any air pressure pain on landing or takeoff.
• Pack $20 of emergency money as well.

Pack Entertainment and Comfort Items

• Wrap a couple of surprises to look forward to opening on the flight.
• Explain rules about electronic games and ipods being turned off for takeoff and landing.
• Pack a favorite stuffed animal, blanket or pillow to give kids a little reminder of home.
• Do not have your child’s first name emblazoned on a backpack or carry-on as it enables strangers to call your child by first name.
• Pack a change of clothes in case of any spills.

Walk Kids Directly to the Gate

• Ask the ticketing desk for a special pass allowing you to stay with your child until boarding, and don't leave until the plane departs the gate.
• Whoever's picking up at the other end can do the same.
• Report any delays in take-off to the person picking up.

A Cell Phone is a Must

• Your child may need to reach you, and it lessens your anxiety to know that your child has a quick way to get in touch for help or reassurance.
• Pre-program it with critical numbers on each end.
• Add a brightly colored contact list in a labeled envelope into your child’s carry-on bag.

Have a Familiar Face Waiting for them at the Arrival Gate

• Make sure a familiar face your child knows will meet them at their arriving gate.
• Ask them to call you as soon as they have your kids in hand so you can rest assured.

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