Welcome to the anxiety board at DS.

You've taken the important first step in writing it out.

Keep writing it out. Write out the positive! You're going to visit, your children are visiting, and it's a plane trip. Look for the things to make it better and positive for the little ones. Focus on what you are doing!

You can do this.

Welcome aboard, Jammer.

And? ? ? Did it help? The most effective coping tools usually are the simplest.

Easy does it, Jammer. Itsy, bitsy baby steps. You are not alone.

Flying with little ones is always an anxious event because it can be so unpredictable. If you are traveling with your husband that is easier for each of you to take a child, and to take turns with them. Come prepared with stories to read to them, books for them to play with themselves, snacks, sippy cups, some small toys, and maybe some ideas for your own hand games and play games with them. I didn't do screens with my kids when they were that little, but if you chose to do that it is an option and some parents swear by using the time the look through family pictures on your phone or family videos. Those are all options. Also, plenty of diapers, wipes, and a change of clothes for each. All these things you probably know, but maybe someone else writing them out for you will help give you some structure through the anxiety. :)

As for the plane ride, you are probably also worried about the other passengers and how they will react to babies. Truth is, that some folks will love babies no matter what (scream, cry, or fuss) and they'll even help you if you let them, and some folks will hate babies no matter what (they can be sleeping and singing like angels, and someone will be a jerk). You can't predict or control the responses of others on the plane, so please try to come to terms with that ahead of time and know that if you are paying attention to your children's needs, then you are doing your best and who cares what anyone else might say. You have a right to be there and so do your children. Plain and simple. Who cares what anyone else might think, do what you need to do to take care of your children on that plane. It is a lot of work. I hope that reminder gives you strength to be ready to face whatever occur.

Oh, and have something ready for them to drink for takeoff and landing, for the pressure changes. Also, some friends swear by having anti-gas medicine with you just in case the pressure changes really upset their tummies.....but if you don't use that normally, don't feel pressure to start now. I have 3 kids and we have flown a lot, and never needed it, but I suppose it is not a bad idea to have it available to you. I was always able to have the kids in my lap for take off and landing, too, and that helped the babies, and for the 2 year old, let them lean on your or hold your hand or whatever they need to do to be still for those two parts.

As for covid, just be prepared to wear a mask, and have them for the littles just in case. Check the rules of your airline for their age limit cutoff for the kids. If you are polite about it, I would expect that no one will give you trouble if the 2 year old has any troubles.

You can do this, and yes, it is a big step and a lot to think about. Feeling anxious about that is understandable and normal. That's ok. Use it to focus on beng prepared, and then take a breath and let yourself realize that you got this!!