Last week she was voted the most admired mum in the country, and now Pippa O’Connor has shared her advice on how to stay sane while travelling long-distance with a temperamental toddler.
The model & blogger is currently in LA visiting husband Brian Ormond, who was away on a golfing retreat with buddies, and she took the adorable 2-year-old Ollie with her for the long-distace flight.
Although Ollie flew long haul to America before, he was just 10 months old at the time, and Pippa said she expected the experience to be a lot different now her little boy was in the ‘terrible twos’ stage.
The fashionista said she was “quite nervous” at the prospect, and ahead of the journey, she shared a new blog post on pippa.ie to help other mothers in her position.
It seems the pair arrived safe and sound with no hiccups as Pippa shared some cute family snaps of the threesome enjoying their holiday in the sun.
Here are Pippa’s best travelling tips:
1. Take a change of clothes.
Pippa suggests to dress your child comfortably and bring a spare tracksuit bottoms and tshirt, like these from Dunnes Stores and River Island:
2. Bring a blanket & comfort teddy.
For when the tot wants to take a nap, or even to relax them and ease them into the flight.
3. Take a selection of farm animals, a new book, cars and a colouring book.
The model mum says it’s a good idea to get some new toys or books that the kid hasn’t seen before. “Introducing things slowly throughout the flight will keep things interesting for them,” she says.
4. Bring an iPad
Pippa suggests to pre-load the iPad with a movie and lots of new apps – she added that she downloaded plenty of farm animal ones for Ollie!
5. Have plenty of snacks!
You don’t want your child wailing about how hungry they are, so stock up beforehand. Pippa’s snacks of choice for Ollie were rice cakes, Liga, raisins, yoghurt in a pouch and some grapes.
6. Be prepared for popping ears!
The blogger advises mums to give their children milk when taking off to help ease the uncomfortable sensation, or if they’re old enough, to give them a lollipop to suck on.
