There’s a very specific kind of stress that hits the moment you reach the airport security line with a child in tow when all you want to do is just reach your summer destination in one piece. Oh yeah, you know the one. You’re sweating, juggling passports, snacks, baby wipes, and wondering why you even booked this trip in the first place. All while someone behind you lets out an exaggerated sigh because your toddler decided now was the moment to have a full-blown tantrum over basically nothing.
Airport security with kids? It’s chaos, pure and simple. Honestly, it’s nightmare fuel for a lot of mums. But it doesn’t have to feel like you’re starring in your own anxiety dream. Well, for the most part, it shouldn’t; it’s something you absolutely need to mentally prepare for, and yeah, ideally, it’s best to just physically prepare for it too.
Get Ruthless with Your Packing
Just go ahead and think of your carry-on like a survival kit. Ideally, only pack what you actually need within reach. meaning things like snacks, dummy, wipes, nappies, and that one toy they’re oddly obsessed with this week. Everything else can go in the overhead and stay there until landing.
Now, it’s really going to help to just pack each thing in its own pouch so you’re not digging through a bottomless bag for a teether while your baby screams and your ID is clenched between your teeth. And of course, you should try and keep the liquids easy to grab. Seriously, you don’t want to be the one unpacking a suitcase on the conveyor belt while a security agent barks instructions (that’s enough to give intense anxiety).
Make Your Life Easier with the Right Gear
Well, there are moments in parenting that make you appreciate good design like nothing else. So, believe it or not, the airport security line is one of them. For example, getting a travel buggy for plane, rather than just using your regular one, just choosing travel-specific ones (well, and travel-related baby gear) is a total sanity saver since you really want something that’s light enough, and tight enough. Besides, it’s also one less thing to argue with at the boarding gate.
Just Dress Like You’re About to be X-Rayed
Well, technically, you are, and yeah, chances are, you already know how you should ideally dress. But with that said, this isn’t the time to wear those complicated sandals or a belt with more metal than sense. You’ll already have enough going on just trying to get through the scanner while wrangling a small human. And for the kids? Well, just keep their outfits simple, too. Nothing that needs removing unless absolutely necessary. The fewer layers, the better.
The Queue is Not Your Enemy
Needless to say, you’ll feel rushed. People will tut. Security staff may not be in a good mood. But it’s seriously not your job to keep them happy. Your job is to get yourself and your child through in one piece. If someone behind you is impatient, that’s their problem. You’re not going to apologise for travelling with your child, nor should you. Instead, just take a deep breath, stay focused, and ignore the passive-aggressive tapping behind you.
Keep the Snacks Coming
No matter the age of your kid, a well-fed child is a calmer child. So ideally, just try to feed them before getting into the queue (especially if you know the line will be fairly long). Besides, this alone will avoid any meltdowns during the line itself.
The Coastal Mummy 