Flying with Kids after Knee Surgery (Oh, My!)
What were we thinking, taking our three children across the country while in a leg brace after major knee surgery?
As we busy working moms know, we gotta do what we gotta do, right? What doesn’t kill you sure makes your stronger!
Here are some helpful hints for flying with kids while you are recovering from surgery and can barely walk, much less carry luggage or move quickly:
- If possible, book your flight early and request special seating so that you can make sure your family is seated together. Why is it that airlines always choose to separate families at least five rows apart?
- Be sure to ask your surgeon for handicapped sticker paperwork, so you have easy access when parking and pulling into drop-off zones.
- Make sure the airline seating allows you to prop up your leg at a comfortable position. Consider whether you need the right or left aisle if you have to keep your knee brace locked straight.
- Request a wheelchair if you need assistance walking, because most airport concourses are very long. The wheelchair assistant can meet you curbside or at the check-in counter. We found that United provides wonderful services for those who need assistance.
- Plan to arrive at least two hours before your domestic flight, so you can take your time with your injury if security lines are long. Kiddie bathroom emergencies are common!
- Pack lightly with suitcases on wheels, so your children can manage their own luggage. If the children are in elementary school or older, have them pack their own bags. Be sure they include a book and their favorite DVD player, iPad or iPod.
- Find a chic backpack to carry your own basic essentials, so you have your arms free to manage the children.
- Buy a box of instant cold packs from Amazon Prime (have to love the free shipping). These are also great for family boo-boos during your trip.
- Pack Tylenol, Advil and gum (to relieve the children’s ears from the pressure) in both your backpack and your suitcase.
- While it seems easier to have your boarding passes on email or texted to your smart phone, we’ve found that good old paper works best when taking four people and a wheelchair through security. Luckily, security only needs mom’s driver’s license if the kids are under 18. It never hurts, however, to bring passports as a back-up, if you have them.
- Although the wheelchair assistant might ask to prop your suitcase on your foot stand, where it will balance precariously between your legs, avoid this move. You could end up with a back or neck injury, since this mode of travel can be surprisingly bumpy. Most assistants can easily pull a small suitcase behind them.
- Wear easy slip-on shoes so you don’t have bend down when going through security.
- On the way to the airport, ask your children to be the captains or cruise directors of the trip, and tell them specifically how they can assist you. Pulling mom’s bag, carrying mom’s computer and holding little sister’s hand are all very helpful. Once you get to the airport, they will love the responsibility of navigating the airport while being shielded by your wheelchair.
- Purchase snacks after security, but before you get on the plane, to avoid grumpiness. While the airlines have snacks for purchase, they are expensive, very salty and often messy. Spilling bruschetta from the tapas into your lap is not fun, especially when it runs down your leg brace!
- Make sure you have plenty of small bills handy so you can thank helpful attendants along the way.
- When renting a car, splurge on one of the major companies like Avis, if you can, since you can be wheeled right up to your car and go. This easily beats waiting in a long line in a wheelchair surrounded by restless angels.
- Most importantly of all, make sure you can bring your spouse or a traveling partner in order to keep your sanity, especially if traveling with really little ones.
Any hints on flying with kids after major knee surgery? We’d love to hear your stories.
Traveling with Kids when Mom Is Nursing a Sports Injury
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