When you become a parent, suddenly the idea of flying becomes a lot more stressful. Not only do you have to worry about getting to your gate on time, you also have to worry about getting there with your kids in tow. Booking business class flights can take away some of the stress since you have more space to move around, but it also means that you have to worry about annoying your fellow passengers, who have paid thousands of dollars to enjoy the privilege of travelling in peace and quiet.

If you’re planning to book a premium ticket for your family, here are some tips for flying business class with a toddler.

Bring things to do

You’ll want to keep them occupied as much as possible, so pack a holdall with colouring books, puzzles and a tablet loaded with movies and TV shows they like. Yes there are 20” entertainment screens with noise cancelling headsets, but perhaps the selection of kids movies onboard might not be very extensive.

Take advantage of the business class perks

Flying business class means you’ll have a larger baggage allowance, which means you can bring as much stuff as you need for the kids. You’ll also benefit from dedicated check-in desks and priority lanes, make the whole airport experience a little more relaxed. Your airline may even provide you with a chauffeur driven car to the airport, so take advantage of this if you can.

Arrive to the airport early

Give yourself plenty of time at the airport so you’re not rushing through the airport like the McAllisters in Home Alone! By arriving early you’ll be more relaxed, which means they’ll be more relaxed too. You’ll usually have access to the business class lounges, which sometimes have kids facilities to keep your toddler entertained.

Check if you can pre-order kids meals

Some airlines will provide special kids meals in business class, while others have a more limited selection. You can call up the airline before your flight to check, but it may also be worth bringing some snacks just in case they’re not so sure of the food.

Choose two seats together

Often business class is organised in a 1-2-1 layout, which means there are two seats together in the middle, and single seats next to the windows. If you wish to be seated near your child then you’ll want to choose the middle seats – the privacy divider will come down so you can easily pass things over to them. Of course one of the brilliant things about business class is the seats are incredibly roomy, so you don’t have to worry about them kicking the seats in front. The seats also convert into fully flat beds, so you can change them into pyjamas and put them down to sleep. You’ll usually be given an amenity kit with perfumes and skincare products, but sometimes airlines also provide special kits and toys for the children too.

Flying business class with a toddler isn’t easy – the last thing you want is them running around the cabin during the flight. Some parents may gasp in horror at the thought of traveling with kids in the front end of the plane, but if you know they can be well behaved then there’s no reason why you shouldn’t fly business class on your next family vacation. With plenty of space, noise cancelling headsets and a catalogue of entertainment, your kids will soon settle down and enjoy the flight.

Thanks to the numerous and much needed campaigns against social stigma, the word “therapy” doesn’t hold the same negative connotations that it once did for people. In fact, caring for your mental health is considered as just an imperative of an approach as caring for your physical wellbeing.

When it comes to therapy, there are different branches of it to explore. Some turn to it for grief counseling, while others seek help due to anxiety and stress. For some it is the answer to behavioral changes, for others it is a moment of self-reflection. These days, one can also even go online to places like Regain.us to get the help one needs.

Whatever the objective might be, it does help people in achieving their goals in all walks of life.

Even if the goals are to keep a family stay happy and healthy together.

What is Family Counseling?

As the name suggests, family counseling is targeted therapy that caters to issues which affect a family as a whole. Some of these issues include but are not limited to a family member’s addiction to substances; parents going through divorce; or a child/adolescent going through unruly behavior.

The conflicts and stressful situations that can result out of such an issue are often addressed through family counseling.

What Happens During Family Counseling?

In the typical model of therapy, individuals have to attend separate sessions to address their issues. But in family counseling, these sessions are usually held with all of the concerned family members being present in them.

For instance, if the issues are between partners or married couples, then only the two of them attend the session. If the issues have to be discussed between the whole family, then siblings or kids join the session along with their parents or other family members.

From there, a licensed therapist or qualified counselor takes the responsibility to lay out the issue at hand for everyone to discuss, and determine a resolution accordingly.

For instance, if an issue such as addiction involves one single person, then the family counseling is targeted at how the person feels and how other family members could support them. If the issue involves the whole family, such as the parents going through a divorce, then the problem is discussed in how the family could support each other and especially the children through the troubling time.

This same notion applies to matters of grief, bereavement, or other conflicts.

When to Seek Family Counseling?

Even with its clear approach, it could often be difficult to determine when and how you need family counseling. But by knowing the signs, you can seek help in a timely manner.

Typically, the first few signs of needing family counseling are:

• When your family is going through constant conflict.
• When your children are acting out for one reason or another.
• When you and your partner are going through separation or divorce.
• When your family go through the death of a family member, or has suffered a loss of any kind.
• When a family member is going through addiction.
• When a family member is having behavioral, physical, or mental health issues.

It is important to remember that while these are the most common signs to seek out help in the form of family counseling, they are not set in stone. If your family is going through any issues that you think may be resolved with qualified help, then reach out and seek professional help.

Remember, the harmful myths about therapy are just that, myths without any substantial proof. Therapy can actually help your family go through difficult issues in a healthy and safe manner.

The key is to shake off the stigma of therapy and seek help when you need it the most. It could save your family from falling apart, and have all of you come out at the other end stronger than ever.