Easier said than done, as any parent knows. It's a challenge when you've got children in tow, but there are things you can do to make your time in the air go smoothly.
Some parents swear by the bulkhead seats.
The downside is that there's no under-seat storage, so you'll have to jump up every time you want to retrieve something from your bag. You'll need to arrive at the gate early to snag them. Among carriers who do pre-assign bulkhead seats, many reserve them only for frequent fliers. But it never hurts to ask. Children under 2 can usually fly for free if they're nestled on your lap, but this is not the safest way to go.