Flying internationally with children (seating advice needed)

We're flying internationally with my wife and two kids (ages 5 and 3). Both of the kids are very much attached to mom, especially the 3 yo (tiredness compounds this). The plane we're flying in has a 2-4-2 seat split. We were thinking initially of taking up the 4 middle seats so we can all be together.We're tempted to switch to the 2 side seats and split our family up into 2 adjacent rows (1 kid with each adult). We'd like to have the side/window for leaning on during the night. Also if the kids lay down to sleep (with heads on our laps) I think they will get in each other's way if we sit in the middle. Our main worry is that one kid will be stuck with me for the whole flight, or at least the night part and that won't go over well (and an overnight plane ride is not when I want to fight battles).I was also joking with my wife that maybe they can have 3 middle seats, and I'll sit in first class (or the luggage compartment :)).Any families of 4 (or more?) have experience with long flights and best seating arrangements? via /r/Parenting http://ift.tt/2oxtfir