Certainly the school break is helping numbers, but I’m seeing a lot more kids commuting with their parents on the train lately. Pre-schoolers going to daycare, or watched by family near work, older kids with their backpacks of “stuff to do” for a day at the office or summer camp. Early one morning, a troupe of young musicians and their chaperones, heading down to Miami for a workshop.

It’s easier to tell the daily commuters from the first-timers. Frequent riders usually sit quietly with their parent and toy or snack. Their touristy counter parts are generally bouncing off the walls. One 18 month old was halfway from the Miami Airport station to the end of the line at Mangonia and very tired. Mini-meltdowns out of sheer frustration and exhaustion. His parents did the best they could, taking turns walking him up and down as politely as possible (a standing-room-only day), but he was so done with traveling for the day. His parents were also loaded down with customs-fresh luggage and hadn’t any toys with them; silly faces from me and others or not, I wished I’d had a small but safe toy to give the tired little one.

This has made me think more about the commuting I’m planning with my kids, and I’m comparing notes with my friends, both the seasoned family travelers and the newbies. I’ve not taken our kids on the train in a while, but I think I’d probably pack a couple of age-appropriate books, a couple of drawing toys (Magnadoodles!), and a blank pad with crayons (well, make sure the pocket coloring kit is freshly stocked). A few not-so-crumby snacks, their water canteens, and we’re pretty set to travel with our usual small weekend diaper/extra clothes bag.

A couple of things I’d bring on a regular commute would add to the burden, but be worth it, based on what I’ve seen with the increase of the younger commuters. A small blanket that can be used to cuddle or as a pillow (fleece is soft and crushable). A small kid-safe battery-powered fan for days when the air conditioning fails. Or, to emulate one of my brilliant teacher friends – pipe cleaners.

Best of all, these work for longer trips, too. Small, packable, can be let through airport security … What are have you got up your sleeve or in an inside zipper pocket for occupying the time consumed by unavoidable delay?

*“Aren’t you a little short for a rail commuter?”

1 Comment »