6 travel tips for Serena Williams to keep her baby smiling

I can’t say how much I love when celebrity moms give little glimpses into their worlds as mothers. When I see someone as famous as Beyoncé or Serena Williams talk about mom life, it makes me feel like my little catastrophes are normal and defy the bounds of class and socioeconomic status.

Serena Williams is the queen of letting her inner-mom hang out. She posted on Instagram Saturday a picture of her holding her daughter and admitted that the beautiful little girl’s mom is simply tired.

“Flying with this little one is really a test. #thismama really needs tips,” the tennis star said. “There is nothing I do that seems to work. I don’t want her to use an iPad. Any suggestions?”

Moms, including the one writing this, came out of the woodwork to offer tips, promote their products and offer encouraging words.

They recommended tips from using water bottles and Post-It notes as toys to the ever-so-practical advice to take chewing gum or baby bottles to help the little ears pop.

In two hours, Williams had more than 2,200 comments and 83,730 likes.

 

 

 

 

 

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#thismama is tired. Flying with the little one is really a test. #thismama really needs tips. There is nothing I do that seems to work. I don’t want her to use a ipad . Any suggestions? #thismama

A post shared by Serena Williams (@serenawilliams) on Oct 13, 2018 at 12:00pm PDT

Here are a few of my favorite suggestions from her supporters:

Embrace the element of surprise on flights.

“I used to take their favorite toys and books and wrap them one by one in the comics, so they were surprised when they opened each one,” @mmaria_flaherty said.

She also wrapped snacks for her little ones to keep the surprises coming.

When traveling, ‘car seats are my savior.’

@La_emperatriz said she has Costco’s brand of car seat, and it’s less than 10 pounds and airplane tested. She also purchased a Britax attachment with wheels that are easy to unhook when her family takes off.

“It has been my saving grace for my kids to fall asleep more on planes,” she said.

They have their space and are more comfortable. She can also easily hand then snacks and activities to keep them occupied.

Embrace tape, toys and coloring on airplanes.

@slazomom recommended toys that are new to the kiddo, light and have moving parts that don’t easily roll. “We also let our kiddos walk around whenever/where ever they wanted to [when walking on a flight is allowed,]” she said. “They’re bound to find interesting things to entertain themselves if they are walking around.”

Throw in a few crayons and a notebook and a roll of painter’s tape to provide some sticky fun that’s easy to cleanup, and you’re good to go.

Design a flying bag with your little one.

@the_italianbombshell said let your daughter pick out a few items while shopping with you.

“Set a limit,” she said, “let’s say 10 items. Then let her design a flying bag.

“Make sure it has wings or a plane, something to visually remind her when she can use it.”

The idea is to only let her play with the bag and things in it when she’s on the plane.

“Also it gives her something to be ‘in charge of,’ the mom said.

And she would know. Her babies are now 15 and 27 years old.

Get an ice cube in a cup on the plane.

“My son and I would walk to the galley to get an ice cube and walk back to our seats,” @samiranasr said. “He would play with the ice cube until it melted, and then we would walk back for another.”

Samira Nasr, who also happens to be the executive fashion director for Vanity Fair, said it may seem like a lot of walking, but it kept the little one entertained and out of the devices.

“Another trick is to schedule flights when they either nap or sleep,” she said, “but I am sure you know that one.”

Make sleep your friend not your foe when traveling.

“Keep her up as much before the flight and give her a nice bath before you leave,” @_islandgyal_876 said. “I use an essential oil blend which is almond oil with a few drops of lavender to massage prior to dressing.

Bring a bottle of vetiver oil for sniffing and some headphones with soothing music, and she’ll be sleep and relaxed in no time, the mom said.