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Surviving a 7-Hour Flight to Ireland with Two Toddlers: My Overprepared Packing List

It's always been a family dream to visit Ireland, and we're finally making it happen this Friday! All 12 McConnells—including my in-laws, sister-in-law and her family, my husband, and our kids—are boarding a flight to the Emerald Isle. It sounds idyllic, right? But with less than 48 hours left, I'm in full preparation mode. How do I recreate our home on a 7-hour flight to keep my 2.5-year-old and 4-year-old content?

Here's what I've packed so far:

1. Identical new Paw Patrol backpacks. Identical to minimize 'sharing' conflicts. New for excitement, Paw Patrol as their current favorite.

2. New toys from the $1 bins at Toys R Us. With toddlers' short attention spans, they'll likely cycle through many quickly—and duplicates prevent sibling squabbles.

3. Their favorite Paw Patrol toys from home—for when the novelty wears off.

4. Snacks, snacks, and more snacks.

Surviving a 7-Hour Flight to Ireland with Two Toddlers: My Overprepared Packing List Flying with young kids should be judgment-free, but I know mine are energetic handfuls at 2 and 4 years old. Snacks—especially fruit snacks—are key to calming them. To ease any side-eye, I chose organic versions (whatever that fully means—it helps me feel better).

5. Fully charged iPads—essential, no explanation needed.

6. Extra clothes for kids, husband, and me, in case of spills or sickness.

7. New travel pillows—smaller than their home ones, but hopefully acceptable.

8. Medical kit stocked with every child essential.

Surviving a 7-Hour Flight to Ireland with Two Toddlers: My Overprepared Packing List I've assembled a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle medical kit, plus extra bandages, thermometers, Tylenol, Motrin, Benadryl, saline, NoseFrida, nebulizer, and more—replicating the pharmacy too.

9. Favorite snuggle blankets plus 'sleeping bag' blankets to encourage naps.

10. Favorite pajamas.

11. Two books each—mimicking bedtime routines.

My husband calls me crazy, but preparation is my strategy. Still, I suspect I'm missing something.

Your tips welcome!

We're flying coach (no bulkhead available) on a fully booked flight. Wish us luck!

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