When I looked back at questions still unanswered for the Monday Consult, I remembered that Theresa Finnigin had asked for tips about traveling with kids. And so, in her recent Toddler Thursday, had Sarah K.K.

Jamie Pearson, publisher of the family travel website Travel Savvy Mom, came up with these tips for us:

"As long as you do your best to anticipate your child’s hunger, fatigue, boredom, and ear pain, most of your fellow passengers will bear you no ill will. If things start to go badly, you can defuse the situation by saying, “Things are about to get ugly over here, can I buy you a drink?”

"Here are a few other tricks I’ve learned over the years:

--With enough milk, pacifiers, and board books, infants can be great traveling companions. Bring twice as many diapers as you think you’ll need. If it’s okay with your pediatrician, consider giving them a dose of Tylenol thirty minutes before landing.

--Always carry on a car seat for your toddler, and strap him in. If possible, have one parent sit in front of him so that seat kicking isn’t an issue. Load your digital camera or smart phone up with pictures to distract him when he gets cranky, pack a few new toys, and hope for the best.

--Preschoolers are old enough for movies, so bring a portable DVD player (or your laptop) and splurge for an extra battery. Don’t count on the seatback entertainment system being available and appropriate, even on very long flights.

--Grade school-aged children can also watch movies, and have enough dexterity for craft projects. Fill their backpacks with pipe cleaners, sketch pads, activity books, Mad Libs, and chapter books—you might even be able to watch a movie yourself!

--No matter what your kids’ ages, bring plenty of familiar food, lollipops (which help both with ear pain and excessive talking), and good headphones. Good luck!

Associated Press photo of image from Delta Airlines