flying with little kids: car seats, snacks, and travel headaches

We’re gearing up for our first family flight with our two little ones—ages 5 and 2—and honestly, I’m already stressed just thinking about it. Myrtle Beach is supposed to be our relaxing getaway, but the logistics are making my head spin. My husband’s a pro at flying, but he’s never had to wrangle kids through security or deal with car seats at 30,000 feet. I’ve only flown twice myself, so I’m basically a rookie too. Right now, both kids ride in those big, heavy 5-point harness car seats in our car. The thought of lugging those monsters through the airport is enough to make me want to cancel the trip. I’ve seen those harnesses you can use on planes, but $170 each? That’s more than our tickets! I’m tempted to buy some cheap car seats just for the trip, but then I worry if they’re safe enough. And if we’re bringing a seat for the 2-year-old, should we just bring one for the 5-year-old too? He’s a big kid—50 pounds and tall—so I’m not even sure what fits him anymore. I’ve heard about car seat dollies, but are they actually worth it, or just another thing to drag around? And then there’s the wagon. We have one of those big Veer wagons, and I’ve read you can gate check them with Delta, but does that mean it gets tossed under the plane with the rest of the luggage? I’d hate to see it come out the other end all scratched up or broken. Of course, I’m packing a mountain of snacks, random toys, and tablets, but it feels like there’s always something I’m forgetting. Why does it seem like traveling with kids is a full-contact sport? I’d love to hear what’s actually worked for other parents—especially when it comes to car seats and keeping the kids (and ourselves) sane. #familytravel #parenting #airplanetravel #Travel