I wouldn't say that traveling with children is easy, but now that I'm a few years into it, I've learned how to make it easier. We swear by what our family calls the "magic backpack." Basically, it's a carry-on bag filled with items to keep your child entertained during a flight or long drive.
Chris is the real magician behind it. He'll run to the store before a trip and come home with a haul of tiny treasures. Think little toys, mini coloring books, crayons, and Post-Its. (Surprisingly, Post-Its will keep little hands occupied for longer than you'd imagine.) We never show the girls anything ahead of time. The big reveal happens only when we're buckled into the plane or car.
Along with the treasures, I pack cozy socks and a full change of clothing for each child, just in case. We also take our iPad, but we hold off on handing it over until the last possible moment. Kids can (and do) get bored watching movies, so we save screens as our final card to play. And to avoid anyone getting hangry, we pack plenty of snacks. For Emerson, I pack Once Upon a Farm or Serenity Kids pouches; for Jupiter, it's pretzels and applesauce. Instant oatmeal packets are a good idea, too—if you're flying, just ask a flight attendant to pour some hot water for you.
