About Rebecca Eckler
Since becoming pregnant with her daughter Rowan, Canadian journalist and author Rebecca Eckler has penned three hilarious books, including the best-selling Knocked Up. Catch Rebecca’s weekly unique perspective on motherhood and single parenthood.
The Perks of Having Kids
eckler plus one: travelling with kids canada
(Sep.02.11)
Recently I went on a vacation with my boyfriend without any of our children. His children had a week with their mother and my daughter is out west for the month spending time with her father.
It was the perfect opportunity to go on a romantic getaway. And so we did. There are many things I missed about not travelling with my daughter. (Mainly, travelling with her. I’ve rarely traveled without my daughter!) But what I realized at the airport was that what I really missed was “pre-boarding.”
My daughter and I have traveled on airplanes since she was four months old. Pre-boarding has become one of my favourite things about travelling, because there are not many things to enjoy these days while flying.
There’s just something about getting on that plane before everyone else, not because I need to, but because I really, really like it.
I like that because I have a young daughter, we can board early and I can prepare for the ride. I like that if you get on the plane before hundreds of others, you always get space in the overhead compartment. And it gives me time to get out my magazines, my bottle of water, my snacks, and my iPad. It gives me time to get out the blanket so my daughter can nap (and also time to steal a pillow from Business Class as we walk down to economy. Yes, I do this. Sue me.)
By the time the rest of the passengers have boarded, I’m well on my way to falling asleep. Which is the best thing to do when you’re on a plane, because it makes the trip seem so much faster. And, you know, flight attendants are really much nicer to you when you have children with you. (Or so I find.)
Last trip, when we went to Atlantis in Bahamas with our children, a woman at customs when we arrived back in Toronto actually took us out of line, and brought us up to the front, so we didn’t have to wait in line at all! This was because we had three children with us, who this woman could tell were impatient and so she did something nice.
I mean, who knew children could get you out of a long custom line!
So, this time, when the announcer called out, “This is a pre-boarding announcement for our first class passengers and those who need extra time with children,” I felt really disappointed. I don’t like being rushed. I WANTED my daughter with me, if even just to pre-board.
Thankfully, I realized that I was an Elite member, which also gives you the opportunity to pre-board. But it’s not the same. When you pre-board just because you are sitting in executive class, or because you are an elite member, it’s almost like you’re bragging about your status. But with children, you really DO need the extra time to pre-board.
My daughter is now turning eight. And I know that she no longer really needs the pre-boarding, just one of the many things I will miss, as she gets older.
Tell me, do you like pre-boarding. Have you gotten used to it? Because I have. Maybe I’ll just shove my daughter in a stroller or something, just so I can be a pre-boarder with children for the rest of my life!
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