summer fun travel tips with evenflo | flying with a toddler

“one of the great things about travel is that you find out how many good, kind people there are.”

– edith wharton

i think the best advice i was given is this~ go into the flight expecting it to be okay! often parents dread it and expect it’s going to be awful, causing their anxiety to rub off on their kids. mental preparation is important for us too. stay calm and pray they do the same. 

in the dayton airport –> charlotte bound 

{i placed the car seat on top of the rolling suitcase}

car seat | evenflo . shoes | aldo . jeans | madewell

checking in | i always encourage checking in online for moms. if it’s a holiday (like this weekend- happy fourth!), i would definitely try and check in online because sometimes flights are sold out and the last people to check-in are usually placed on standby/are bumped. because of my neck pain, we brought the sibby stroller (it’s a perfect size for travels- more here). usually, i would baby wear parks in the airport (esp. for running to a gate) but we had a direct flight and there was no way we could have put him in a carrier with my pain. the stroller was perfect for this trip and i actually think i would do a stroller again next time. we were dropped off and checked in outside (the tip was worth it in this case) we checked our evenflo stratos car seat (color: silver ice) outside so we would be hands-free through security + walking to the gate. you can buy a bag on amazon for under $10 to help protect it but i don’t recommend hauling it through the airport. it was easy, free, and was waiting for us at baggage claim when we arrived. 

security | a backpack is usually your best friend! (isn’t this the case as a mom in general?) we love this one from fawn design. i found that one airport wanted all of his food and drinks in a plastic bag for checking- so i would do this in advance. kids don’t have to take off their shoes until the age of seven and they can walk through with you. the stroller + car seat may require a more thorough check. 

at the gate | depending on the child, i think this is either a good time for exploring and ‘getting out the energy’ or a good time for them to chill. parks is a very chill toddler when in his evenflo stroller + car seat (versus let’s say a high chair!) so that’s what we did; however, many kids would probably be better off using their energy during this time frame. while waiting, i try and use the restroom before the flight and remember to fill up the sippy cup  + change diapers before taking off. i also recommend bringing some plastic grocery bag in your diaper bag for dirty diapers on the flight. 

in case you are lucky enough to enjoy a second of quiet (whether they are napping or are chilling in the stroller- like parks does in the sibby!!) do not forget to bring a book/magazine/your favorites, too. you just never know… 

we love the evenflo stratos convertible car seat (and so does parks!) for both everyday life + traveling

this car seat has been perfect for our family and i can’t recommend it enough!

i love the look, neutral color, two cup holders and the excellent safety reviews

to encourage safety, the Stratos™ is weight-rated for up to 40lbs rear-facing and up to 65lbs forward-facing so your child can remain harnessed longer. this seat also includes a 5 position adjustable headrest and 6 shoulder harness strap heights to provide a true extended fit option. for added comfort, they built-in a ventilation system that enables a steady airflow for your child through all seasons. to make installation quick and easy, they added a SureSafe™ installation which is comprised of quick connector® technology and LATCH Guides, increasing proper installation by 2X compared to installation with standard LATCH hooks. to further promote safety, each stratos™ convertible car seat is structurally tested for safety in the event of a rollover accident for built-in safety from every angle!